Château du Crest-Cherel

Château du Crest-Cherel is a medieval fortified residence in Ugine, in the Savoie department, at the foot of the Aravis mountain range. Today it houses the town's Rural Heritage Museum, one of the more rewarding cultural stops in the region.

Where does the château come from?

The story starts in 1248, when Count Boniface of Savoy handed the stronghold to the de Becket family from Holland, on one condition: their coat of arms had to merge two symbols - a golden stag's head, representing the Holland family, and the Savoy cross on a blue field. Over time the owners took the name Crécherel, first documented in 1340. The Crécherel family held the estate for nearly five centuries, until around 1740 it passed to the Geny d'Ugine family. In 1921, the Geny descendants sold the building to the town of Ugine for 100,000 old French francs, making it public property.

How did its role change over time?

The building started out purely as a defensive post, guarding Ugine and the surrounding area from invaders. Construction stretched from the 13th to the 16th century, and archaeological digs carried out between 1978 and 1980 uncovered remains dating to the late 15th and 16th centuries: a square tower, a water cistern, and multi-room structures with upper floors, including what was likely a small chapel and storage areas. The finds trace a clear shift from fortified house to residence. In later decades the building also served as town hall offices and a primary school - it wasn't until the 1970s that the town committed to a full restoration.

What is there to see inside?

The restoration, led by architect Brocard under mayor Jean-Marie Meunier, took close to ten years. The result is today's Musée du Patrimoine Rural, also known as the Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions of Val d'Arly. Spread across roughly 1200 square metres, the collection holds more than 1500 objects arranged in twelve themed rooms - farming and craft tools alongside exhibits on everyday life in the Arly valley through the centuries. The château stands at 240 Allée du Crest-Cherel in Ugine.

What else is worth seeing in Ugine?

The town is small but has a few surprises. Ugine is home to the only Orthodox church in the two Savoies - the Saint-Nicolas-Saint-Alexis church, built for a Russian community that settled here after the Bolshevik revolution. It's also worth a look at the Baroque Saint-Laurent church (12th-17th centuries) and the older Saint-Sauveur, whose history goes back to the 11th century. Ugine has an industrial side too: in 1904 Paul Girod founded works here that turned the town into the world capital of stainless steel. The municipality holds the "Pays d'Art et d'Histoire des Hautes Vallées de Savoie" label, and guides from the FACIM foundation run regular themed tours.

When is a good time to visit?

The museum is open year-round and free to enter, making it an easy stop regardless of season. Ugine sits under an hour from Mont Blanc and the Alpine ski resorts, and the Massif des Bauges Regional Nature Park lies close by - a solid base for exploring the area in both winter and summer.

Frequently asked questions

When was Château du Crest-Cherel built? Construction spans the 13th to the 16th century, with the earliest record - the grant of the stronghold to the de Becket family - dating to 1248.

What can you see inside the château today? The Rural Heritage Museum, with more than 1500 objects across twelve themed rooms covering farming, crafts, and daily life in the Arly valley.

Is there an entrance fee? No, the museum is free and open all year.

How do you get to the château? It's located at 240 Allée du Crest-Cherel in central Ugine, Savoie, close to the Aravis mountains and under an hour from Mont Blanc.