Château des Allymes

About the museum

The Château des Allymes is a seigneurial seat built by the House of Savoy on the heights of the Bugey. In 1354, Count Amadeus VI of Savoy entrusted the fief to his treasurer Nicod François. In the 15th century the lordship passed to the Lucinge family by marriage. In 1557, after the flight of Charles de Lucinge, the castle was threatened with destruction, but it seems it was not entirely demolished.

His son René de Lucinge (1553–1624) had the residence restored at the end of the 16th century. A diplomat in the service of the Duke of Savoy, he signed the 1601 Treaty of Lyon, which brought Bresse, Bugey, Valromey and the Pays de Gex under French rule. After his death the family gradually lost the castle, which changed owners several times and became a farm. It escaped demolition in 1793.

At the beginning of the 19th century the building was abandoned, and the large main residence largely collapsed. Around 1860, the owner Adolphe de Tricaud had all the curtain walls and towers consolidated and restored, without living there himself. In 1959 the family sold the site to a Parisian antiques dealer. The following year an association was founded to save the monument and open it to the public; restoration work began in the 1960s.

The commune of Ambérieu-en-Bugey bought the castle in 1984. Today the association handles its opening, events and publications, and a major restoration campaign was completed in 2020.

Highlights

• Square keep and round tower within the medieval enclosure
• René de Lucinge room, at the top of the keep, furnished in the Louis XIII style
• Room with models of regional fortifications
• Armoury in the round tower with 14th-century weapons
• Ruins of the medieval village and the defensive wall around the castle

Permanent exhibitions

• Salle des maquettes de fortifications – On the ground floor of the keep, detailed models present the medieval fortifications of the region.
• Salle René de Lucinge – At the top of the keep, a room furnished in the Louis XIII style recalls René de Lucinge, signatory of the 1601 Treaty of Lyon.
• Armurerie de la tour ronde – 14th-century weapons are displayed at the top of the round tower, with a mezzanine to view them up close.

Founded

1960

Operated by

Propriété de la commune d'Ambérieu-en-Bugey ; gestion par l'association Les Amis du château des Allymes et de René de Lucinge

Admission & discounts

Entry to the courtyard, the ground floor of the round tower and reception is free. Payment by cash, cheque, Chèques-Vacances and bank card. The PASS’DÉCOUVERTES of the Ain department is accepted; Chèques culture, the PASS Éducation, the Chéquier jeunes 01 and Sésame cards are not accepted.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The castle is not wheelchair-accessible because of its old staircases. People with reduced mobility, even temporary, can drive up to the esplanade to enjoy the view. Dogs on a lead are admitted in the surroundings and the courtyard, but not inside.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly: not available

An educational booklet for children, “Un vrai château fort”, is sold at reception. Heraldry workshops are offered to school classes and leisure centres, as well as storytelling visits and LEGO workshops during some holidays. Babies are carried in arms or in a baby carrier inside. Pushchairs can go up to the entrance and stay at reception, but a baby carrier is recommended because of the gravel path and the three levels.

Getting there & parking

From the centre of Ambérieu-en-Bugey, follow the signs and continue for about 7 km to the hamlet of Brey-de-Vent. GPS coordinates: 45.975726 N, 5.412444 E. Coaches only go up on Wednesdays outside school holidays; during holidays, only minibuses can access the site.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Shop at reception with publications and objects. A meal or snack is offered from Thursday to Sunday in the hamlet of Brey-de-Vent, at the foot of the path.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit