Château des Allymes

Perched high up in the hills overlooking Ambérieu-en-Bugey the Château des Allymes has stood guard over the town since the 14th century. The château was built by the Dauphin of Vienne in 1310. It fell into the hands of the Duke of Savoy in 1335 and became part of France again in 1601.
The Chateau des Allymes (Allymes Castle) has preserved intact many features of medieval military architecture that defended the territory during the Middle Ages. The Chateau des Allymes is made up of two sections. There is an upper courtyard which is formed by four curtain walls linking the keep (donjon) to the round or watch tower. Secondly there is the outer bailey with the remains of a large fortifying wall and a small watch tower.

In 1960 the Château des Allymes was listed as a Historic Monument and was saved from total ruin. It has been open to the public since 1966. The château is managed by the Association des Amis du Château des Allymes (Friends of the Château des Allymes) and today it houses exhibitions, concerts and conferences. Since 1984 the château has officially been the property of the town of Ambérieu-en-Bugey. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the listing of the château, an exhibition room was opened in 2010. It is named in honour of René de Lucinge (1553-1624), Lord of Allymes, who was instrumental in the integration of Ain into France in 1601 with the Treaty of Lyon.