The 11th-century seat of the Counts of Savoie

Located in the French commune of Chambéry in the Savoie department, the Château des ducs de Savoie is a fortified castle dating from the 11th century. The site occupied by the château was an important crossroads and strategic point since ancient times, controlling the ancient Roman road from Vienne to Italy via the Petit-Saint-Bernard and Mont-Cenis passes. It also controlled later roads from Lyon, Geneva, and Grenoble.

Modified several times since the 13th century, the castle became the principal residence of the Counts of Savoie in 1295. It centralized the administrative functions of the entire county, while the nearby Montmélian retained a military function. In 1408, a new chapel was built in the flamboyant Gothic style by architect Nicolas Robert. From 1502 to 1578, this chapel housed the Holy Shroud. The castle also features a great hall decorated in the early 14th century with frescoes by Hugonin Frénier, Maître Jacques, and Jean de Grandson.

After the capital of the States of Savoie was transferred to Turin in 1563, the château remained a ducal residence and administrative headquarters. Today, it continues its administrative vocation and houses the Savoie Prefecture, the Savoie Departmental Council, and the Savoie Academy. The site is listed as a historic monument, with the grand salon featuring Louis XVI decor being listed in 1960.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons