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Regional Art and Folklore Museum
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Regional art and folklore museum at Fessy: 20,000 rural objects by Bernard Lacroix, in an 18th-c. farm. Summer Thursday guided tours, €5.
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Château d'Avully
A 13th-14th century fortified house brought back from ruin by the Guyon family since 1971: water-filled moat, drawbridge, medieval wall paintings, listed as a Historic Monument in 1974.
TarichaRivularis · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
Type
14th-century fortified house, historic monument
Access
Paid entry (free under 5)
Price
Adult €10 · Student €8 · Child 5-12 €5
Duration
1 h 30 to 2 h
Best season
1 July - 31 August (no appointment needed) · Year-round by appointment
Parking
Free at the château entrance
Animals
Allowed on a lead, outdoor areas only
Stroller / Reduced mobility
Allowed in courtyard, upper floors by stairs only
Town
Brenthonne
💶
Price
Plein tarif adulte
10,00 €Visite libre château + douves + jardins
Tarif étudiant/demandeur d'emploi
8,00 €Sur présentation justificatif
Enfant 5-12 ans
5,00 €Gratuit moins de 5 ans
Visite guidée supplément
2,00 €Supplément 2 € sur tarif individuel
Escape game
18,00 €Activité supplémentaire saisonnière sur réservation
What is Château d'Avully
The Château d'Avully at Brenthonne (74890) — also known as the Château Saint-Michel d'Avully, after the seigneurial family who held it from the 13th to the 18th century — is one of the most affecting castles in the Chablais. A fortified manor of the 13th–14th centuries, strengthened in the 14th on the order of the Count of Savoy, it lived through the Protestant Reformation, was confiscated at the Revolution and gradually fell into ruin in the 19th century. Listed as a Monument Historique in 1974 (Mérimée notice PA00118354).
Since 1971, the Guyon family has carried out an exceptional heritage restoration that continues to this day, over more than 50 years. The water-filled moat has been cleared, the drawbridge rebuilt using medieval techniques, the keep restored, and rare medieval wall paintings rediscovered and conserved. 18th-century-style gardens have been recreated from period plans and several rooms refitted for events. The work has been awarded several heritage prizes.
2026 prices: adult €10, student/jobseeker €8, child 5–12 €5, free under 5. Guided tour supplement €2. Medieval escape game €18/person, seasonal and by booking. 2026 opening: visits all year by appointment; from 1 July to 31 August, Monday–Friday 1.30pm–6pm without appointment, weekends by booking. Bed-and-breakfast and venue hire available. Summer festivals (early music, medieval theatre). Partial wheelchair access. Free parking.
Activities
What you can do here
Practical
Practical information
Address
465 route d'Avully, 74890 Brenthonne (signposted from Brenthonne village and the D903) View on map
Coordinates
46.309° N · 6.353° E
Altitude
≈ 510 m (château esplanade)
Opening hours
2026 OPENING: Visits YEAR-ROUND by appointment (individuals and groups). 1 JULY - 31 AUGUST: open Monday-Friday 1:30pm-6pm WITHOUT appointment. Weekends in July-August by reservation. Advance booking by phone or at chateauavully.com. Verified on the official website 24 May 2026 — subject to seasonal changes.
Booking
Booking REQUIRED outside July-August, Monday-Friday, by phone on +33 (0)4 50 36 11 59 or at chateauavully.com. Groups (10+) by reservation year-round. Escape game and guest rooms by advance booking. Verified 24 May 2026.
Parking
Free parking at the entrance to Château d'Avully (capacity around 30 spaces). Coach accessible.
Dogs
Dogs allowed on a lead in the outdoor areas of Château d'Avully. Not admitted inside the historic buildings (collections, wall paintings).
Accessibility
Château d'Avully is partially accessible: the courtyard and the moat, visible from the drawbridge, are wheelchair-accessible. The château floors and keep are NOT accessible (narrow medieval stairs). Verified 24 May 2026.
Visit duration
1 h 30 to 2 h at Château d'Avully: self-guided visit of château + moat + gardens. Add 2 h more with the escape game.
Contact
+33 (0)4 50 36 11 59 · contact@chateauavully.com · chateauavully.com. Verified 24 May 2026.
Access
How to get there
By car
From Thonon-les-Bains (≈15 min, 12 km) via D903 then D32 towards Brenthonne, follow signs for 'Château d'Avully' (465 route d'Avully). From Geneva (≈45 min, 45 km) via A40 then D903. Free parking at the entrance.
Open in MapsPublic transport
No direct public transport to Château d'Avully. Bons-en-Chablais SNCF station (Léman Express from Geneva) is 5 km away; a taxi/ride-share or car is recommended. Occasional Haute-Savoie regional coaches Thonon-Brenthonne depending on season.
Open in MapsBy bike
Rural roads around Brenthonne. Chablais greenway 5 km away. Bike parking at the château entrance. Thonon-Brenthonne cycle route via D32 (12 km).
Open in MapsWhen to visit
When to visit
Château d'Avully can be visited year-round by appointment (individuals and groups), with a period of open access without appointment from 1 July to 31 August, Monday-Friday 1:30pm-6pm. Outside July-August: BOOKING REQUIRED before visiting. Summer (July-August): lively summer atmosphere, early-music festivals, escape game available. Spring (April-June): 18th-century gardens in bloom, in-depth guided tours by reservation. Autumn (Sept-Nov): magnificent autumn colours, very low footfall, ideal for enthusiasts. Winter: visits by appointment, cosy atmosphere in the heated château. A 13TH-14TH CENTURY FORTIFIED HOUSE LISTED AS A HISTORIC MONUMENT IN 1974, RESCUED from ruin by the GUYON FAMILY since 1971 (55 YEARS OF RESTORATION). WATER-FILLED MOAT + WORKING DRAWBRIDGE + RARE MEDIEVAL WALL PAINTINGS in Haute-Savoie. An emblematic example of private heritage saved through family initiative. An original seasonal medieval escape game (€18). Upscale guest rooms and room hire for weddings. Summer early-music festivals. A €10 price accessible given the heritage quality and restoration commitment. Advance booking required outside July-August.
Events : 2026 summer festivals at Château d'Avully: early music concerts in the courtyard, medieval theatre, historical activities. European Heritage Days in mid-September. Seasonal medieval escape game (€18/person). Full programme at chateauavully.com.
Nearby
Where to eat, drink, stay
Photos
Gallery
Been there? Share your photos — we'll add them to this page with credit. Tag #loisirs74 or email photos@loisirs74.fr
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How do I book at Château d'Avully?
Booking is required at Château d'Avully outside July-August, by phone on +33 (0)4 50 36 11 59 or at chateauavully.com. From 1 July to 31 August, free access Mon-Fri 1:30pm-6pm without a booking. Weekends and groups (10+) by reservation year-round.
What is the admission price at Château d'Avully?
Château d'Avully: adult €10, student/jobseeker €8, child 5-12 €5, free under 5. Guided tour supplement €2. Seasonal escape game €18/person by reservation. Verified 24 May 2026.
What are the opening hours at Château d'Avully?
Château d'Avully: visits year-round by appointment. 1 July - 31 August: open Mon-Fri 1:30pm-6pm without appointment. Weekends and off-season by reservation. Verified on the official website 24 May 2026 — subject to seasonal changes.
What is the history of Château d'Avully?
Château d'Avully is a 13th-14th century fortified house belonging to the Saint-Michel d'Avully family (13th-18th century), confiscated during the Revolution, and in ruins by the 19th century. Bought in 1971 by the Guyon family, who have led an exemplary restoration for 55 years. Listed as a Historic Monument in 1974.
Why Château d'Avully or Château Saint-Michel d'Avully?
Château d'Avully (the official site's canonical name) is also known as Château Saint-Michel d'Avully (the tourist office's name), after the Saint-Michel d'Avully lordly family who occupied it from the 13th to the 18th century. Same site, two historic names.
What is the escape game at Château d'Avully?
The seasonal medieval escape game at Château d'Avully: puzzles set in the historic rooms, 1 hour long, €18/person by reservation. Several scenarios. For families and groups of friends. Additional activity at the standard admission price.
Is Château d'Avully accessible to people with reduced mobility?
Château d'Avully is partially accessible: the courtyard and the moat, visible from the drawbridge, are wheelchair-accessible. The château floors and keep are not accessible (narrow medieval stairs). Free for under-5s.
How do I get to Château d'Avully from Thonon?
Château d'Avully is 15 minutes from Thonon-les-Bains (12 km) via D903 then D32 towards Brenthonne. No direct public transport, a car is recommended. Bons-en-Chablais SNCF station (Léman Express) is 5 km away. Free parking at the entrance.
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Sources
Sources & verification
Multi-source verification at publication. Information may change — confirm with the official operator before travelling.
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