Ruinen Schloss Crêt

The ruins of Crêt Castle (Château du Crest) in Ardon are what remains of a medieval stronghold above the Rhône valley in the Swiss canton of Valais. It belonged to the Bishops of Sion and for generations watched over a key stretch of the valley. Today it is listed as cultural property of regional significance (KGS inventory no. 6594).

What was Crêt Castle?

The fortress stood on a rocky rise above the Rhône plain, close to present-day Ardon. Municipal material dates its construction to roughly 1220–1240, ordered by the Bishop of Sion, and the Historical Dictionary of Switzerland records it as existing by the second half of the 13th century. It served as the administrative seat of the Ardon-Chamoson lordship, run by the bishop's steward (the vidomne), who collected taxes and held court.

What did it look like?

A pentagonal keep about 23 metres tall dominated the site, flanked by two smaller towers of around 13 metres. Only ruins and wall fragments survive. Since no contemporary drawings or paintings exist, the commune commissioned a modern reconstruction of how the castle looked.

Why did it fall?

Crêt sat on the frontier between the Bishop of Sion and the House of Savoy and changed hands several times. It was finally demolished in 1475, after the Battle of La Planta. Local tradition holds that some of its stone went into the bell tower of Ardon's church, rebuilt after the 1524 earthquake.

Who studied the ruins?

In 1949 historian André Donnet and councillor Ignace Delaloye surveyed what was left. Louis Blondel drew up a plan of the whole complex from their work and published an account in the journal Vallesia in 1950.

How do you get there?

Ardon lies in the Rhône valley between Sion and Martigny, on the valley's main road and railway line. The ruins are above the village, at about 46.2146 N, 7.2518 E. Plan a short walk and wear sturdy shoes, as the rocky ground is uneven.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and autumn suit the site best: the valley is warm without summer heat. On a clear day the rise gives a wide view over the river plain and the surrounding slopes.

Frequently asked questions

Are Château du Crest and Crêt the same castle? Yes, sources use both spellings. Don't confuse it with the Château du Crest in Jussy near Geneva.

When was the castle destroyed? In 1475, after the Battle of La Planta.

How tall was the keep? About 23 metres, with a pentagonal plan.

Is the site officially protected? It is listed as cultural property of regional significance, KGS no. 6594.