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Château des Sires de Faucigny
Fortified château built around 1260 by Béatrice de Faucigny, a Savoyard square plan with 4 corner towers, of which the Tour Noire (21 m) and the Tour Blanche (15 m) survive.
*_* · BY 2.0 · flickr (via Openverse)
At a glance
Type
13th-century fortified château, municipal property
Access
Paid guided tour · Free exterior access
Price
Guided tour €5 · Child 10-18 €3 · under 10 free
Duration
30 min (exterior) · 1 hour (guided tour)
Best season
May-September · guided tour calendar
Parking
Free in central Bonneville
Animals
Allowed on a lead outside
Stroller / Reduced mobility
Allowed outside, towers not accessible
Town
Bonneville
💶
Price
Visite guidée adulte
5,00 €Visite organisée par Faucigny Glières Tourisme
Visite guidée enfant 10-18 ans
3,00 €Tarif réduit jeune
Gratuité totale
0,00 €Moins de 10 ans · Extérieurs libres toute l'année
What is Château des Sires de Faucigny
The Château des Sires de Faucigny at Bonneville (74130) — also known as the Château de Bonneville or Tour de Faucigny — is one of the major medieval castles of Haute-Savoie. Built around 1260 by Beatrice of Faucigny (daughter of Peter II of Savoy), it was the main fortress of the independent châtellenie of Faucigny in the face of Savoy. Its characteristic 'Savoyard square' plan originally featured four cylindrical corner towers, of which two survive today: the Black Tower (21 m, east) and the White Tower (15 m, west). Listed in the Inventaire des Monuments Historiques in 1987.
The castle had an eventful history: converted into the departmental prison in the 16th century, it kept that function for nearly 400 years, until 1934, when the town of Bonneville bought the monument from the State. A gradual heritage restoration has been ongoing ever since, with seasonal opening to the public via guided tours led by Faucigny Glières Tourisme.
2026 guided-tour prices: adult €5, child 10–18 €3, free under 10. Limited schedule (5–8 dates a year, generally May–September), booking required via ccfg.fr or tourisme-faucigny-glieres.fr. Exteriors free year-round (rue des Grandes Chambrettes). Central position in the heart of Bonneville, 10 minutes' walk from the SNCF station (Léman Express), A40 Bonneville exit 5 minutes. NOTE: an English-language Tourist Office mentions 'temporary closure' for restoration, but bonneville.fr and ccfg.fr confirm scheduled visits in 2025–2026 — check the exact calendar before travelling. Combinable with the Château de Beauregard and the Château de Châtillon-sur-Cluses.
Activities
What you can do here
Practical
Practical information
Address
Rue des Grandes Chambrettes, 74130 Bonneville (town centre, signposted) View on map
Coordinates
46.078° N · 6.408° E
Altitude
≈ 450 m (central Bonneville)
Opening hours
EXTERIOR FREELY ACCESSIBLE 24/7, year-round. Occasional GUIDED TOURS organised by Faucigny Glières Tourisme: 5-8 dates a year, generally May-September. 2026 CALENDAR available at ccfg.fr or tourisme-faucigny-glieres.fr. NOTE: check with Faucigny Glières Tourisme before visiting (2026 restoration status). Checked on the official website on 24 May 2026 — subject to seasonal changes.
Booking
EXTERIOR: no booking needed. GUIDED TOURS: BOOKING MANDATORY at ccfg.fr or tourisme-faucigny-glieres.fr. Faucigny Glières Tourisme phone +33 (0)4 50 97 38 37. Numbers limited per tour. Checked on 24 May 2026.
Parking
Free parking in central Bonneville, 5 minutes' walk from the Château des Sires de Faucigny (Hôtel de Ville car park). Paid parking nearby (town-centre blue zone).
Animals
Dogs allowed on a lead outside the Château des Sires de Faucigny. Not admitted on interior guided tours (safety).
Accessibility
The exterior of the Château des Sires de Faucigny is partially wheelchair accessible: approach via rue des Grandes Chambrettes. Interior towers NOT wheelchair accessible (narrow medieval stairways). Free rate for wheelchair users + carer on guided tours. Checked on 24 May 2026.
Visit duration
30 minutes (exterior only) to 1h30 (guided tour with tower climb) at the Château des Sires de Faucigny
Contact
Town of Bonneville +33 (0)4 50 25 22 00 · bonneville.fr. Faucigny Glières Tourisme +33 (0)4 50 97 38 37 · tourisme-faucigny-glieres.fr. Checked on 24 May 2026.
Access
How to get there
By car
From Annecy (≈45 min, 45 km) via the A41 then A40, Bonneville exit. The Château des Sires de Faucigny is in the town centre, rue des Grandes Chambrettes. Free parking at the Hôtel de Ville, 5 minutes' walk. From Geneva (≈30 min, 30 km) via the A40.
Open in MapsPublic transport
Bonneville SNCF station (Léman Express from Geneva) 10 minutes' walk from the Château des Sires de Faucigny. Cars Région Haute-Savoie many lines serving Bonneville. Bonneville urban bus.
Open in MapsBy bike
Annemasse greenway towards Cluses passing through Bonneville. Bike parking in the town centre near the château. Geneva-Bonneville cycle route (35 km) well signposted.
Open in MapsNearest stops
- Bonneville · SNCF (TER) · 656 m
- SNCF (TER) · Official fares & timetables →
Transport data verified on 2026-06-15 · source transport.data.gouv.fr (Licence Etalab 2.0)
When to visit
When to visit
The Château des Sires de Faucigny can be visited on several levels: the EXTERIOR is freely and permanently accessible year-round (rue des Grandes Chambrettes), a quick 30-minute visit for the two towers and the panoramic view. Occasional INTERIOR GUIDED TOURS are organised by Faucigny Glières Tourisme, 5-8 dates a year mainly May-September, booking mandatory at ccfg.fr (€5/adult). NOTE FOR 2026: status varies depending on the progress of the heritage restoration — CHECK with Faucigny Glières Tourisme before visiting (+33 (0)4 50 97 38 37). CHÂTEAU BUILT IN 1260 BY BÉATRICE DE FAUCIGNY (daughter of Pierre II of Savoy) — MAJOR ALPINE HISTORY of the INDEPENDENT county of Faucigny facing Savoy. Typical 13th-century SAVOYARD SQUARE PLAN with 4 corner towers — of which the TOUR NOIRE (21 m) and TOUR BLANCHE (15 m) survive. TURNED INTO A PRISON 16th century-1934 (400 YEARS of use as a jail) — a story unique in Haute-Savoie. LISTED ON THE HISTORIC MONUMENTS INVENTORY IN 1987. Central location in Bonneville, 10 minutes' walk from the Léman Express SNCF station. FREE EXTERIOR access year-round. Affordable €5 guided tours. Combine with the Château de Beauregard and the Château de Châtillon-sur-Cluses for a day of Faucigny heritage.
Events : 2026 calendar of guided tours of the Château des Sires de Faucigny on ccfg.fr and tourisme-faucigny-glieres.fr. European Heritage Days mid-September (extra free tours). 'Festival du Faucigny' events depending on the municipal programme.
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 the Château des Sires de Faucigny?
The exterior of the Château des Sires de Faucigny is freely accessible without booking. Interior guided tours require booking, MANDATORY, at ccfg.fr or tourisme-faucigny-glieres.fr. Faucigny Glières Tourisme phone +33 (0)4 50 97 38 37.
What is the admission price for the Château des Sires de Faucigny?
Château des Sires de Faucigny: EXTERIOR free year-round. Interior guided tours: adult €5, child aged 10-18 €3, free under 10. Checked on 24 May 2026.
What are the opening hours of the Château des Sires de Faucigny?
Château des Sires de Faucigny: exterior freely accessible 24/7 year-round. Interior guided tours held occasionally (5-8 dates a year, May-September). Checked on the official website on 24 May 2026 — subject to seasonal changes.
Who built the Château des Sires de Faucigny?
The Château des Sires de Faucigny was built around 1260 by Béatrice de Faucigny, daughter of Pierre II of Savoy. Main stronghold of the independent county of Faucigny. Typical Savoyard square plan of the 13th century.
What are the Tour Noire and Tour Blanche of the Château des Sires de Faucigny?
The Tour Noire (21 m, to the east) and the Tour Blanche (15 m, to the west) are the two surviving towers of the 4 original towers of the Château des Sires de Faucigny. Cylindrical towers typical of 13th-century Savoyard military architecture.
Why was the Château des Sires de Faucigny a prison?
The Château des Sires de Faucigny served as a departmental prison from the 16th century to 1934 (400 years of use as a jail). A typical conversion of medieval strongholds that had become militarily obsolete and were repurposed by the State.
Is the Château des Sires de Faucigny accessible to wheelchair users?
The exterior of the Château des Sires de Faucigny is partially wheelchair accessible (rue des Grandes Chambrettes). Interior towers are not wheelchair accessible (narrow medieval stairways). Free rate for wheelchair users + carer on guided tours.
Is the Château des Sires de Faucigny closed in 2026?
Status varies depending on the progress of the heritage restoration. Exterior freely accessible year-round. Interior guided tours scheduled May-September according to the calendar. CHECK with Faucigny Glières Tourisme on +33 (0)4 50 97 38 37 before visiting.
Featured in our selections
Sources
Sources & verification
- bonneville.fr
- explore.tourisme-faucigny-glieres.fr
- ccfg.fr
- en.wikipedia.org
- auvergnerhonealpes-tourisme.com
Multi-source verification at publication. Information may change — confirm with the official operator before travelling.
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