Can you visit the château de la Bâtie freely?

It consists of open-air ruins on the Mont Salomon hill, with no published opening hours or fees.

Who built the château de la Bâtie?

Its construction around 1225 is attributed to the archbishop of Vienne, Jean de Bernin.

Why is the château in ruins?

It was damaged during the Wars of Religion and then demolished in 1633 on Richelieu's orders.

Is the site protected?

The remains have been listed as a historic monument since a decree of 10 December 1926.

Château de la Bâtie

Bâtie Castle

Vienne

Access

No visits on recordNo opening hours or ticketing found

Where: Vienne

To make a day of it

Open within 20 km

Sleep nearby

Château de la Bâtie stands in Vienne (Isère), in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. The building is registered as a historic monument (dating recorded in the Mérimée database: 13th century). The building is privately owned and no visits are on record.

On the Mont Salomon hill above Vienne, the ruins of the château de la Bâtie stand on a site already fortified in Roman times. Built in the 13th century on the orders of the archbishop of Vienne, it later served as a residence and then a prison before being dismantled by order of Richelieu in the 17th century. Visitors come today for the scattered remains and for the view over the Rhône valley rather than for an intact building.

What to know

This is an open-air ruin, not a restored or furnished château.
Reaching the site involves a climb up the Mont Salomon hill, so sturdy shoes are advisable.
The site has been a listed historic monument since 1926, which protects the surviving remains.
No opening hours or admission fees are given, so it is worth checking locally before visiting.
The visit is best thought of as a heritage walk rather than a formal guided tour.

Where this château is

Vienne · Isère · Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Map of the area around Château de la Bâtie

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

22A Montee Dr Maurice Chapuis, 38200 Vienne

Directions open from wherever you are, by car or public transport.

Get directions View on a map

Heritage status: Registered historic monument (inscrit); Mérimée record PA00117321
Period of construction: 13th century

Frequently asked

Can you visit the château de la Bâtie freely?: It consists of open-air ruins on the Mont Salomon hill, with no published opening hours or fees.
Who built the château de la Bâtie?: Its construction around 1225 is attributed to the archbishop of Vienne, Jean de Bernin.
Why is the château in ruins?: It was damaged during the Wars of Religion and then demolished in 1633 on Richelieu's orders.
Is the site protected?: The remains have been listed as a historic monument since a decree of 10 December 1926.