ADJOINING CASTLE
Well-preserved Château de Joux, featuring a vertical gallery with an astonishing spiral staircase and a vertiginous well
A stone castle in the late 12th century, Joux became the main residence of the Sires de Joux and their successors until 1454. On this date, the powerful Count and Duke of Burgundy Philippe le Bon bought the Château de Joux and established a small garrison there. Under Charles V, the County of Burgundy became Spanish, and remained so until Louis XIV's conquest in 1674. It was at this point that Vauban fortified Château de Joux as a frontier post, and it soon housed several hundred soldiers. A state prison under the Ancien Régime, the Revolution and the Consulate, the château also held many prisoners of war throughout the Empire. The most famous of these was Toussaint Louverture, whom Napoleon-Bonaparte had locked up in 1802. This Franco-Haitian general and politician had opposed the re-establishment of black slavery.
Travel back in time, from the buried fort built by Captain Joffre to the first medieval dwelling, via the vertical gallery with its astonishing spiral staircase to its vertiginous well. Regularly adapted until the end of the 19th century, the fortifications of Joux are very well preserved. With Mirabeau, come and meet extraordinary characters, both famous and anonymous. Let us tell you about the legends of Joux... They will take you back to the time of the Crusades. Love, secrets and betrayal, these stories will leave an indelible mark on your memory, with their scent of poetry and barbarism.
Book the Best Activities with Get Your Guide
Members' reviews on ADJOINING CASTLE
Avec une histoire depuis le moyen âge.
Nous avons découvert par exemple l'existence de Toussaint l'ouverture qui a défendu l'abolition de l'esclavage, mais qui fut dégradé et emprisonné dans ce chateau où il y mouru.
Find unique Stay Offers with our Partners
Guide au top, adorable avec les enfants et prêt à répondre à leurs questions.
Pas accessible en poussette.
A ne pas manquer si vous êtes dans la région.