Château de Gourdans

En un regard

Le château en bref

Château de Gourdans lies in the hamlet of the same name, in the commune of Saint-Jean-de-Niost, on the Ain plain. The site, recorded as Gordanis from the late 12th century, was a fortified stronghold built on a spur overlooking the River Ain. In the 13th century, a fortress surrounded by a triple enclosure is attested there. Initially under the authority of Savoy, it passed to the Dauphiné in 1270 when it was ceded to the lords of Anthon, then returned to Savoy after the Treaty of Paris of 1355. Raised to a barony in 1497 for the benefit of René de Savoie, the site later lost its military role and was converted into a country manor house in the 17th century. The barons de Montolivet owned it from 1660 to 1830, after which it passed to the de Leusse family. The château is privately owned and has no protection as a historic monument.