Free
Two medieval castles facing each other atop a hilltop, residence of Saint Francis of Sales. Panoramic view over Lake Léman. Free access year-round in Allinges.
Fortresses, castles and abbeys — a thousand years of Savoyard history to step into.
From the medieval fortress perched on its spur to the abbey tucked at the valley bottom, Haute-Savoie holds a thousand years of history. Many can be visited; some house museums and exhibitions.
By Lac d'Annecy, the Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard and the Château de Montrottier (near the Gorges du Fier) are among the most spectacular; the Musée-Château d'Annecy overlooks the old town.
For forts and abbeys, the Château des Allinges overlook the Chablais, while the Abbaye d'Aulps and the Abbaye de Sixt bear witness to the department's monastic past.
Most can be visited from April to October, with an entry ticket; some surroundings remain free. Each listing specifies the access and the commune.
Ideal in uncertain weather: many offer guided tours, exhibitions and gardens, both indoors and out.
Free
Two medieval castles facing each other atop a hilltop, residence of Saint Francis of Sales. Panoramic view over Lake Léman. Free access year-round in Allinges.
Seasonal
Castle of the Counts of Geneva on a rocky spur: alpine art, UNESCO lake archaeology, Alpine Lakes Observatory. Adult 6.50-7 EUR.

Pseudo-medieval castle built in 1863 by architect Bruger for Ernest de Boigne at 733 m altitude on the Boissy hillside. Now seat of the CCBC.

Castle built in 1260 by Beatrice of Faucigny: Black Tower 21 m + White Tower 15 m, prison from the 16th c. to 1934. Guided tour €5. Exteriors free year-round.

14th-century fortified manor restored by the Guyon family since 1971: water-filled moat, drawbridge, medieval wall paintings, escape game. Adult €10.

Ruins of a 10th–12th-c. castle, residence of the Sires of Faucigny before Bonneville. Col at 862 m, 15–20 min trail. Free access year-round, restoration in progress.

Rare Italian Renaissance château (1576–1580) in Savoy. Three levels of arcaded galleries, listed MH 1950. Adult €3, free under 8. 4 April to 1 November 2026.
Free
13th-century medieval keep, 145 steps, 360° view over the Bauges and Faverges valley. Free admission, listed as a Historic Monument.
Paid
Historic castle inhabited by the de Sales family since 1559. 4-star hotel, reception and seminar venue. Saint Francis of Sales and Cavour collections. Closed to public visits.

13th-c. fortified manor + cabinet of curiosities with 1,500 pieces (samurai, bronzes). 36 m keep with views of the Fier Gorges. Adult €10, open 29 March–31 Oct 2026.

15th-century fortified manor listed MH 1944 at Lully (Chablais): four round corner towers with conical roofs, taken by the Genevans in 1590. Visible from outside.

13th-c. castle of the lords of Cervens, cylindrical keep + round towers. Listed MH 1932. Exteriors free, privately owned. Commune of Lully.
Medieval castle inhabited by the same family since the 11th century, overlooking Lake Annecy. Guided tour €12, gardens and terraces, open April–November.

Square 12th-13th-century keep, 25 m high, last remnant of a castle that controlled a toll on the Arve. Free access all year, 5 min from the car park.

Restored 13th-century fortified house: 'Mont-Blanc côté Val Montjoie' display, 'Mountain rescue' winter exhibition Dec 2025–Apr 2026, Archipel Art Centre. Adult €5.
Paid
11th-century Cistercian abbey with interpretation centre and immersive 3D visit. Rates: €7 adult, €3.50 child. Open year-round in Saint-Jean-d'Aulps.

12th–13th-c. fortified manor, held by the La Fléchère family for 8 centuries, illuminated at night. Exterior free, JEP visits. Eucharistein community. Saint-Jeoire 74.

14th-century fortified manor, renovated 2019–2021, with the 500 m² Observatoire des Alpes. 50+ interactive modules on 4 floors. Full wheelchair access. Adult €7.50.

16th-century fortified manor listed MH 1994 at Scionzier (Faucigny): 17th-century wall paintings and 1840 panoramic wallpaper. Visible from the road, closed to the public.
Free
12th-century abbey listed as a Historic Monument. Free summer exhibition, 13th-century church and restored abbots' lodge. Free visit in Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval.

Last remnant of Thonon's medieval fortifications: Porte des Lombards, square tower, 19th-century Rabelaisian friezes. Exteriors free, JEP visits in September.

14th-c. residence of Amadeus VIII (Pope Felix V), charterhouse, 1892–1903 restoration. Arboretum + AOC Ripaille wines. Adult €12, open 1 April–2 November 2026.

Castle built in 1666 by the Gerbaix de Sonnaz in the heart of Thonon-les-Bains, today home to the Chablais Museum and Tourist Office, facing Lake Geneva.

14th-century medieval tower at the Port de Rives, last remnant of the 1283 mestralie. The name comes from a feudal due of ox tongues, abolished in 1773. Free access.

Last remnant of the Vuache seigneurial castle at Vulbens: a stone marker dated 1579 at the foot of the church steps — freely accessible year-round.
Paid
Thermal spa and wellness center in Évian-les-Bains: medical cures, treatments with natural evian® mineral water, fitness and wellness access. Online booking available.