Château de Marlioz

Château de Marlioz is a medieval fortified house in the village of Marlioz, in the Haute-Savoie department, on land that once belonged to the County of Geneva.

Where exactly is this château located?

The building stands in the village of Marlioz, just southwest of the parish church, in the valley of the Usses river. Getting the location right matters for trip planning: this is not the same place as the Marlioz thermal baths in Aix-les-Bains, which share the name but sit on the shore of Lake Bourget, in the separate Savoie department. The Haute-Savoie château is a distinct site with its own history.

Why was it built here?

The original fortified residence went up at the end of the 13th century as the seat of a local lordship, the seigneurie de la Tour de Marlioz. Its position was no accident — the site controlled one of the main roads of the County of Geneva, the route linking Geneva to Seyssel along the Usses valley. That gave the house a military and administrative role well beyond simple habitation.

Which families shaped its history?

From the 13th century until the late Middle Ages, ownership passed through a succession of powerful regional families: first the Marlioz family itself, then the Châtillon, the Viry, and the Sallenove. In 1594 the estate came into the hands of the Livron family, who cleared the property's remaining debts and undertook repair work.

A bigger transformation came in 1699, when the estate passed to the marquis de Compey de Lucinges. It was under their ownership that the four corner turrets were added — the feature that still defines the château's silhouette today. The Chevillard family then held the property from 1668 to 1833, the longest single period of ownership in its recorded history. In 1892, Paul Bernascon bought the estate and carried out renovation work, most likely adding the square tower at the southeast corner.

Did any famous visitors ever stay here?

Yes. In 1813, Queen Hortense visited Marlioz together with her son, Louis-Charles Bonaparte — a rare documented moment where the château's local history intersects with the wider political story of Napoleonic Europe.

What happened to the château in the 20th century?

After a period under the Daudens family, the property was sold in 1920. Following the Second World War, the building served as a holiday camp for children — a common second life for old country estates in postwar France. Today the château remains privately owned.

Can visitors go inside Château de Marlioz?

Because it is private property, the château does not operate as a ticketed tourist attraction with regular opening hours. It's best treated as a stop while exploring the Usses valley and the surrounding villages of Haute-Savoie, appreciated for its exterior architecture and turreted profile rather than as a destination guaranteeing indoor access.

Frequently asked questions

Is Château de Marlioz the same place as the Marlioz thermal baths in Aix-les-Bains? No. These are two different sites that happen to share a name. The château stands in the commune of Marlioz in Haute-Savoie, in the Usses valley, while the thermal baths are in Aix-les-Bains on Lake Bourget, in the Savoie department.

How old is the château? Its oldest section dates to the end of the 13th century, making it more than 700 years old, though it has been substantially remodeled since, notably in the 17th and 20th centuries.

Where do the corner turrets come from? The four corner turrets were added in 1699, after the estate passed to the marquis de Compey de Lucinges.

Is the château open to the public today? No, it remains private property. Visitors can view the building's exterior while walking through the surrounding countryside, but there is no regular public access inside.