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The history of the castle

A unique story at Château de Thorens

Let us tell you a story—we might even dare to tell the history!—of our castle, of our thousand-year-old heritage. Immerse yourself in this beautiful story!

Intelligence, soul, and heart combine to enhance the appreciation felt by lovers of the past for this residence. In this privileged place lived, for nearly a millennium, two families who forged Savoy, each in their own way.

1st Century - All roads lead to Rome

In 43 BC, the Romans captured Lyon, then called Lugdunum. After capturing the city, the Romans began building Gallo-Roman roads. It was during this period that we believe the creation of the road passing through Thorens Glières in Haute Savoie leading to Rome took place. Two towers were built in Thorens to monitor the surrounding area. They would later become the foundations of our current Thorens Castle.

11th century – The first stones

We continue our story in 1060. The construction of Thorens Castle was initiated and ordered by Count Gérolde of Geneva. Originally, two towers were built to monitor the ancient road to Rome. A true commercial artery, guards were permanently present to ensure the safety of merchants, troubadours, and people from all walks of life. The positioning of the towers was ideal, with a view over the entire Usillon valley, the guards could see the slightest enemy incursion or the theft of a merchant.

14th century – The arrival of gunpowder

In the 14th centuryrd century Philippe de Compey commissioned the construction of the "square" tower, it owes its shape to the purpose of its creation, to house gunboats. At the time and still today a patrol path connects the tower of the 13thrd and that of the 15thrd century.

15th – From one family to another

It was in 1479 that the military mission of the Château de Compey in Haute Savoie ended; it was confiscated from the Compey family by the Duke of Savoy due to the exactions, crimes and abuses that they committed.

The castle was then given to Helen of Luxembourg-Saint-Pol, wife of Prince Janus of Savoy (Count of Genevois). Helen was not attached to the building; she never visited and did not maintain it. It was their daughter, Louise of Savoy, who had married her mother's first cousin, Francis of Luxembourg, who inherited the castle.

16th – The outcome

Several years later, in 1559, Sebastian of Luxembourg, Duke of Penthièvre and Viscount of Martigues, sold the castle to Lord François de Sales, father of Saint François de Sales. No longer having any feudal ties with the Lords of Compey, the Sales family then passed into the service of the Princes of Luxembourg. Lord François de Sales was entrusted with the high office of Master of the Household of Prince Sebastian of Luxembourg.

Curiously, and for a reason that is still poorly understood, the sale of Thorens Castle to the Sales took around 43 years. The history of the castle through the Sales then begins in the XNUMXth century.rd century, in 1602 to be precise. Saint Francis de Sales, then on mission in Paris, finalized the purchase of Thorens, on behalf of his brothers and sisters, from Marie of Luxembourg, Duchess of Penthièvre, widow of Philippe-Emmanuel of Lorraine, Duke of Mercœur and daughter of Prince Sébastien of Luxembourg.

17th century – From Baron to Marquis

It's in the 16th centuryrd century that the first main building was built. But there was then a second castle in Thorens-Glières in Savoie (now Haute Savoie), that of Les Sales. Located a few hundred meters away on the adjacent hill, it had no military purpose. It was in this castle that Saint Francis de Sales was born on August 21, 1567 near Thorens. Son of François de Sales, Lord of Boisy, and Françoise de Sionnaz, François de Sales grew up in a noble family. Very early on, he distinguished himself by his intelligence and piety. He received a careful education, studying at the University of Padua, where he obtained his doctorate in law. Saint Francis de Sales contributed to bringing many Protestants back to Catholicism.

Saint Francis de Sales's gentleness, tolerance, and charity toward all, even those who opposed him, earned him a great reputation for holiness and wisdom. Francis de Sales is also known for his spiritual writings, the most famous of which is "Introduction to the Devout Life," a practical guide to leading a spiritual life in the world. In 1610, Francis de Sales co-founded the Order of the Visitation with Saint Joan of Chantal, a religious community designed to welcome women who, due to health or other reasons, could not enter traditional religious orders. He also served as Bishop of Geneva, a city heavily influenced by Protestantism at the time, where he worked for the reconciliation and conversion of the inhabitants. The very old de Sales family, originally from La Roche, experienced a rapid rise, occupying the highest positions at the court of Savoy in Turin and taking the title of baron in 1613. Unfortunately, Saint François de Sales died on December 28, 1622 in Lyon.

In 1630 Louis XIII attempted to invade Annecy, but Louis de Sales, brother of François de Sales, had the city gates of Annecy closed and forced the king to retreat. Louis XIII and Richelieu, exasperated by the maneuver, ordered an attack on the Château de Sales. Not being a fortified castle, it was razed and dismantled by the King's armies. Today, only a few foundations remain. A chapel was erected on the site of the former birthplace of Saint François de Sales.

The de Sales family took the title of Count in 1632 and finally the title of Marquis in 1665. On this same date, the deceased Saint Francis de Sales was also canonized by Pope Alexander VII. He is recognized as the patron saint of writers and journalists, due to his commitment to communication and evangelization through writing. His influence continues today, and he remains a venerated figure in the Catholic Church. His life phrase was: "Do everything by love and nothing by force."

18th century – The revolution

The French Revolution was in full swing, and although Savoy was not yet part of France, the Savoyard aristocracy suffered collateral damage from this revolt. Noble families were threatened and driven out; it was at this time that Alexandrine de Sales fled to Italy to stay with her cousins, the Cavours, with her baby and her harp as her only luggage. Later, the Marquise Alexandrine de Sales would achieve the unthinkable; she approached Napoleon I in Paris in 1798 under the name "Luigia Soffietti" and had the de Sales family name restored. She also obtained the lifting of the sequestration of Savoyard property looted by the central administration of Mont-Blanc. As early as 1805, her sister-in-law Philippine sent a petition to the emperor for compensation.

 

This same Revolution left traces that profoundly modified the castle. The tower at 11rd century was razed, the roofs ripped open. The parquet floors were burned by a few revolutionaries and marginalized people, the tapestries were used to cover the hay by the peasants. The castle remains abandoned, trees grow in the towers.

Alexandrine de Sales, aided by her grandson, Count Eugène de Roussy de Sales, undertook the restoration of their inheritance. The Count abandoned his military duties to devote himself to art and the reconstruction of the family castle. At the end of 1869, Count Eugène commissioned architect Camille Ruphy to draw up a plan for rebuilding the castle. For more than six years, the old fortress was alive with the sound of stonemasons, carpenters, and masons working on the structural work. A new, steep-sided roof covered with Angers slates soon rose boldly. Near the entrance, a tower was erected to house a spiral staircase made of molasse steps. The farmhouse was demolished and replaced by a terrace, designed by the architect, offering a clear view of the Usillon Valley.His close cousin, Camillo Benso da Cavour, was making Italian history. He regularly stayed at this castle. He would become the first Prime Minister of the Republic of Italy. Camillo da Cavour successfully led the unification of Italy, aided by his old friend, the French Emperor Napoleon III. As a result, the County of Nice and the Duchy of Savoy were reunited with France in the spring of 1860, by the Treaty of Turin of March 24.

The château houses the statesman's personal belongings, furniture, and artwork, including his desk, where the Treaty of Turin was signed. The de Sales family was very close to power, particularly with the Count of Duingt (aka the Marquis Paul-François de Sales).

20th century – Follow the guide

The century in which the two World Wars took place. We have little information about the castle's role during the first. Nevertheless, it is possible to trace the general history of the region and imagine how the castle and its surroundings were affected by the war. Like many castles in France, Thorens Castle could have been requisitioned for military purposes by German forces to serve as a headquarters, a field hospital, or as a storage facility for supplies and munitions. The Alpine region where the castle is located was strategically important during the war due to its proximity to the Italian border and the communication routes it provided.

After the war, Thorens Castle and the surrounding area undoubtedly witnessed the efforts of reconstruction and recovery, as France recovered from the ravages of war and local communities attempted to return to a sense of normality.

Concerning the Second World War, Thorens and its castle were the stronghold of hope and love of the fatherland. It is in Thorens and the Plateau des Glières that the history of this tragic period comes to life. Due to its geographical location, the plateau was the Allied parachute drop zone, sheltering many maquisards (resistance fighters held by a Maquis). In 1944, during the Second World War, Haute-Savoie was the scene of a major event in the French Resistance. On the Plateau des Glières, nearly five hundred resistance fighters fought courageously against more than 10 soldiers to liberate their territory, putting their lives in danger. More than seventy years later, their sacrifice is commemorated daily at the very site of the fighting.

The Plateau des Glières welcomed many young people from the neighboring valleys seeking to escape the Compulsory Work Service (STO) or motivated by political convictions during the war. The resistance fighters of the Plateau des Glières were crushed by German forces in March 1944 during what is known as the Battle of Glières. Under the leadership of the CRHA collective (Citizens Resistants of Yesterday and Today), a rally was organized on the Plateau des Glières to recall the republican values of solidarity, fraternity, living together and justice enshrined in the program of the National Council of the Resistance, drawn up on March 15, 1944. On August 19, 1944, the Nazi act of surrender was signed in Annecy. Haute-Savoie then became the first territory to be entirely liberated by the force of its resistance fighters. General de Gaulle would later say: "It was thanks to Glières that I obtained important parachute drops for the Resistance." The sites of the clashes still bear the traces of this period today. Following this tourist route offers a dive into the history of this era.

Thorens Castle was occupied throughout the autumn of 1944 by the 3rdrd section of the Francs Tireur Partisans, he suffered damage to his furniture.

Today, the Roussy de Sales family still lives in the castle, carefully preserving it. Count Jean-François de Roussy de Sales was the first of his dynasty to open the castle to the public. In 1960, he took advantage of the ceremonies marking the hundredth anniversary of the Annexation of the Duchy of Savoy to France to grant access to the entire ground floor of his residence, as well as to almost all of the medieval rooms dating from the XNUMXth century.rd century. He modified the roofs to restore a Savoyard style, and created harmony with the main courtyard. The castle then became the worthy setting for the grandiose celebrations of the fourth centenary of the birth of Saint Francis de Sales in the summer of 1967.

A visit to this historic residence offers a journey through the life of Saint Francis de Sales and his family. As Prince-Bishop of Geneva, Saint Francis was a remarkably versatile figure, enjoying immense renown among both the common people and the powerful. This exhibition of the life of this universal saint is embodied in a rich collection including his liturgical goldwork, seals, episcopal vestments, as well as paintings, documents, and rare books.

Amidst an artistic diversity including tapestries from Flanders, pictorial masterpieces, and furniture dating from the Renaissance, Baroque, and Second Empire periods, visitors are immersed in the very essence of this château. The noble rooms, bathed in golden light, reveal the delicacy of 17th-century taste. The vaulted kitchen evokes the flavors of banquets of yesteryear, while the austere rooms of the first fortifications recall the lives of soldiers, and the keep evokes seigniorial justice.

21st – Restoring to better welcome you

The century in which the two World Wars took place. We have little information about the castle's role during the first. Nevertheless, it is possible to trace the general history of the region and imagine how the castle and its surroundings were affected by the war. Like many castles in France, Thorens Castle could have been requisitioned for military purposes by German forces to serve as a headquarters, a field hospital, or as a storage facility for supplies and munitions. The Alpine region where the castle is located was strategically important during the war due to its proximity to the Italian border and the communication routes it provided.

After the war, Thorens Castle and the surrounding area undoubtedly witnessed the efforts of reconstruction and recovery, as France recovered from the ravages of war and local communities attempted to return to a sense of normality.

Unfortunately, the COVID-19 crisis has made its appearance. This activity is no longer permitted. But this will not be enough to deter the desire to open the castle to the public. In early 2022, the castle reopens its doors to welcome its first guests. The owners leave their castle to live a few meters away. Renovations of the rooms begin. Each room, suite, and apartment will be named after a personality who has impacted the castle in one way or another. It is a permanent tribute to the history of this building.

It was then that Mauricette joined the team that was being created. She was in charge of cleaning the rooms and the castle, and she cooked in the evenings for the first guests. A lady with magic fingers, she also lived on site. Her husband, meanwhile, took care of the outdoor spaces.

In April 2023, Prisca joined the team as deputy manager. Sharing the same values as the owners and having a background in hospitality, the connection was immediate. Imbued with the values of the château and the family, she then took charge of recruiting the future team and hotel creation. The management team was formed, and the die was cast!

In the continuity of the activity, we must create the team. Mauricette, who has been loyal, is retiring, so it is necessary to find new collaborators. Fatima, the new chambermaid, starts in August 2023. She is very meticulous and makes the castle resplendent! Then it is the turn of Annie, a dynamic and resourceful person. She manages the kitchen and starts in September 2023. Living in the region, she is discovering this exceptional place! Geoffrey, our digital artistic direction apprentice, also starts in early September 2023. He is a motivated young man with a lot of knowledge and helps us enormously. And finally, the event manager, Isabelle, starts in October 2023. She is a professional and very good at sales and will help us develop the castle. The team is complete; now we need to make this magnificent place known under this new activity.

This small team shares the same values as St. Francis de Sales. The employees are focused on people, openness, and spirituality! It's a pleasure to work together on this hotel creation; the general atmosphere is wonderful; everyone gets along well and respects each other. Now, everyone is participating in the story's continuity. The entire team that drives the castle's current activities transcends the beauty of the place, in the philosophy of St. Francis de Sales, where humanity and love are the recognized values. Other projects are under consideration to enhance this monument..

Communication materials were created, including a website, social media, flyers, and more. The team was present at wedding fairs in Annecy, Geneva, and Aix-les-Bains. Influencers were able to discover the château and its new offerings.

A world museum center in honor of Saint Francis de Sales will be created in a few years.

The current team and owners are motivated by this renewal and are thus adding new stones to this building with 1000 years of history.

Explore more!

Moats, secrets of medieval defense

24th July 2025

Imagine a mighty fortified castle, majestically perched in the foothills of the Alps, surrounded by dry moats that tell centuries of history. Thorens Castle, with its breathtaking panoramas, exemplifies medieval defensive ingenuity. Discover how these iconic moats, whether filled with water or not, shaped the security of fortresses. Ready to dive into the past and enjoy a unique experience at the heart of history? Book a room at this castle-hotel now and let yourself be enchanted by the secrets of the moats and ramparts of yesteryear.

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