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Chaumont Village and Castle Ruins
Discover the ruins of the Château de Chaumont, a former châtellenie of the Counts of Geneva razed around 1630, and the medieval village perched on a spur overlooking the Rhône, on a guided tour with the Guides du Patrimoine Savoie Mont Blanc.
Zbh0170 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
Type
Ruined castle + medieval village
Access
Site free · paid guided tours
Price
Site free · paid guided tour
Duration
1 hr to 2 hr
Best season
Spring to autumn
Parking
Village of Chaumont (free)
Town
Chaumont
What is Chaumont Village and Castle Ruins
The Château de Chaumont, whose romantic ruins still crown a rocky spur above the Rhône, was one of the strongholds of the County of Geneva. Until the early 15th century it housed a châtellenie — an administrative and military district — controlling a vast territory in the south-west Genevois. The sale of the County of Geneva to the Count of Savoy in 1401 was a decisive blow: stripped of its strategic role, the fortress was no longer maintained.
The killing blow came around 1630, during the War of the Mantuan Succession: the royal troops of Louis XIII attacked and razed the castle. Since then the ruins have crumbled, but the site retains a strong atmosphere, perched above the village, with a wide panorama over the Rhône valley, the Vuache range and (on clear days) the Jura.
The Heritage Guides of the Pays d'art et d'histoire run themed walks ("Castles and lords of the Genevois") that include Chaumont alongside other châtellenies. Free walk around the village; the ruins themselves are visible from marked paths.
Activities
What you can do here
Practical
Practical information
Address
Village centre, 74270 Chaumont View on map
Coordinates
46.035° N · 5.958° E
Altitude
≈ 600 m (village of Chaumont)
Opening hours
Site open 24/7, year-round. Guided tours year-round by reservation with the Guides du Patrimoine Savoie Mont Blanc. Checked on 10 June 2026 — tour calendar to be confirmed with the Guides.
Prices
Site free and open access. Paid guided tour with the Guides du Patrimoine Savoie Mont Blanc: rate to be confirmed depending on format (individual, group). Checked on 10 June 2026.
Official site
guides-patrimoine-savoie-mont-blanc.fr (Territories section / Chaumont)
Phone
Chaumont town hall: +33 (0)4 50 56 50 25 · Haut-Rhône Tourism: +33 (0)4 50 87 52 00
Access / Parking
Free parking in the village of Chaumont. Access by car from Frangy or Seyssel; no direct public transport.
Length of visit
1 hr in free access, 1 hr 30 to 2 hr on a guided tour with a Heritage Guide.
Audience
Fans of medieval history, families, walkers, heritage photographers.
Booking
Guided tours by reservation with the Guides du Patrimoine Savoie Mont Blanc — calendar and rate to be confirmed.
Accessibility
Natural site on a rocky spur: dirt paths, steps, uneven ground. Not wheelchair-accessible. Walking shoes recommended.
Access
How to get there
Nearest stops
- Sous la Ville · Cars Région Haute-Savoie · Y13 · 288 m
- Saint-Jean · Cars Région Haute-Savoie · Y13 · 634 m
- Le Malpas · Cars Région Haute-Savoie · Y13 · 687 m
- Cars Région Haute-Savoie · Official fares & timetables →
Transport data verified on 2026-06-15 · source transport.data.gouv.fr (Licence Etalab 2.0)
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Gallery
Björn S. · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Archibald Tuttle · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsBeen there? Share your photos — we'll add them to this page with credit. Tag #loisirs74 or email photos@loisirs74.fr
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What are the village and ruins of the Château de Chaumont?
The village and ruins of the Château de Chaumont (74270) are the remains of a former châtellenie of the Counts of Geneva. The castle was razed around 1630 by Louis XIII's troops. The site is freely accessible and can be visited on a guided tour.
How can I visit the Château de Chaumont?
The site of the ruins of the Château de Chaumont is freely accessible. For a guided tour, book with the Guides du Patrimoine Savoie Mont Blanc, who offer tours of the village and ruins year-round by appointment.
What are the opening hours of the ruins of the Château de Chaumont?
The ruins of the Château de Chaumont are open 24/7 year-round. Guided tours by the Heritage Guides are by reservation. Checked on 10 June 2026.
How much does it cost to visit the Château de Chaumont?
Access to the ruins of the Château de Chaumont is free. Guided tours by the Guides du Patrimoine Savoie Mont Blanc are paid — rate to be confirmed depending on format (individual/group). Checked on 10 June 2026.
What is the history of the Château de Chaumont?
The Château de Chaumont was the seat of a châtellenie of the Counts of Geneva until 1401, when the county was sold to Savoy. Gradually abandoned, it was razed around 1630 by Louis XIII's royal troops during the War of the Mantuan Succession.
How long should I allow to visit the Château de Chaumont?
Allow 1 hr in free access to explore the ruins of the Château de Chaumont and the medieval village, and 1 hr 30 to 2 hr on a guided tour with a Guide du Patrimoine Savoie Mont Blanc.
Is the Château de Chaumont accessible to people with reduced mobility?
No, the site of the ruins of the Château de Chaumont is not wheelchair-accessible: dirt paths, steps, uneven ground on a rocky spur. Walking shoes recommended.
Where can I park to visit the Château de Chaumont?
Free parking in the village of Chaumont. The ruins of the castle and the medieval village are reachable on foot from the car park in a few minutes.
Sources
Sources & verification
- Guides du Patrimoine Savoie Mont Blanc — Chaumont
- Haute-Savoie Tourisme — Bourg et ruines du château de Chaumont
- Haut-Rhône Tourisme — Château de Chaumont
Multi-source verification at publication. Information may change — confirm with the official operator before travelling.
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