Who built the château de Saint-Germain?

It was built probably in the late 12th or early 13th century by the lords of Coligny.

Can you visit the inside of the château de Saint-Germain?

No, only open-air ruins remain, with no roofed building to visit.

Is the château de Saint-Germain a listed historic monument?

Yes, the site was inscribed as a monument historique by decree of 4 May 2017.

Why is the château de Saint-Germain in ruins?

It was at the centre of conflicts between the counts of Savoy and the dauphins of Viennois, enduring several sieges in the 13th and 14th centuries before losing its military role.

Where is the château de Saint-Germain located?

It is located in the commune of Ambérieu-en-Bugey, in the Ain department.

Château de Saint-Germain (Ain)

Ambérieu-en-Bugey

Visit

Hours to be confirmed

Where: Ambérieu-en-Bugey

Hours and prices not verified at the source yet.

To make a day of it

Open within 20 km

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Château de Saint-Germain stands in Ambérieu-en-Bugey (Ain), in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. The building is registered as a historic monument (dating recorded in the Mérimée database: Middle Ages). Its opening hours and prices have not been verified at the source yet.

Perched on a rocky spur above the Albarine valley, the ruins of the château de Saint-Germain recall a history of border conflicts between the counts of Savoy and the dauphins of Viennois. Founded around the turn of the 12th and 13th centuries by the lords of Coligny, the stronghold withstood several sieges before losing its military role after the 1355 Treaty of Paris. What remains today are stretches of wall and scattered masonry across the site, near the remnants of a medieval village.

Written from Château de Saint-Germain (Ain)

What to know

These are ruins, not a restored or furnished château.
Reaching the site means walking up a path to the rocky spur, around 460 metres above sea level, which calls for a moderate physical effort.
The protected area covers the whole castrum, meaning the castle, the bailey and the old village, so visitors should stay on marked paths.
No verified information is available on opening hours, fees, or on-site facilities.
The visit suits those interested in medieval military history more than in preserved architecture.

Where this château is

Ambérieu-en-Bugey · Ain · Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Map of the area around Château de Saint-Germain

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

Unnamed Road, 01500, Ambérieu-en-Bugey

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

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Château phone number

+33 7 67 35 09 41

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The safest check before setting off: today’s hours, guided-tour availability, where to park.

4.6 / 5from 22 Google reviews

Heritage status: Registered historic monument (inscrit); Mérimée record PA01000045
Period of construction: Middle Ages

In pictures

Frequently asked

Who built the château de Saint-Germain?: It was built probably in the late 12th or early 13th century by the lords of Coligny.
Can you visit the inside of the château de Saint-Germain?: No, only open-air ruins remain, with no roofed building to visit.
Is the château de Saint-Germain a listed historic monument?: Yes, the site was inscribed as a monument historique by decree of 4 May 2017.
Why is the château de Saint-Germain in ruins?: It was at the centre of conflicts between the counts of Savoy and the dauphins of Viennois, enduring several sieges in the 13th and 14th centuries before losing its military role.
Where is the château de Saint-Germain located?: It is located in the commune of Ambérieu-en-Bugey, in the Ain department.