From Medieval Origins to the Renaissance
A History in Motion
Leaning against the mountain, overlooking the impetuous Rhone River, Château de Peyraud has embodied aristocratic permanence for almosta thousand years, in a landscape of conquest, faith, war and resilience. Its history, punctuated by destruction and reconstruction, is one of seigneurial pride linked to the Vivarais region. It was the scene of brilliant alliances, religious and family dramas, and successive rebirths. We take you on a documented journey through the centuries to retrace the life of the château and its illustrious owners.
Feudal origins and first lords (11th - 13th centuries)
The first references to Château de Peyraud date back to the end of the 11th century. In a deed of gift to the priory of Saint-Sauveur-en-Rue, a knight named Sigibodus, designated as miles de Peyrau, cedes land and a vineyard. This founding gesture suggests that a castrum, or fortified castle, already dominated the banks of the Rhône, in a region of strategic hills coveted by the great abbeys and the first counts of Viennois.
In the 12th century, other members of the family line appeared: Guillaume de Peyraud, an influential knight, acted as a witness in several notarial deeds linked to the monasteries of Bonnevaux, Saint-Maurice de Vienne, and the abbey of Saint-Ruf. His relationship with the Dauphin lords is established by a deed in which he is mentioned as the nephew of Pierre de Altafay.
The castle, like the chapel of Saint-Martin de Peyraud, is mentioned in the papal bulls of Calixtus II and Innocent III (1123, 1206), confirming its importance in the ecclesiastical and political topography of the Rhone valley. The seigneury of Peyraud was an integral part of the orbit of the Dauphin de Viennois, who repeatedly received tributes from its owners. In 1305 and 1307, Hugues de Peyraud, canon of Vienne, renewed his lige homage to Dauphin Jean for his stronghold and rights of justice.
The 13th century saw a fragmentation of rights to the site. Artaud de Roussillon relinquished his shares to another member of his family, and Hugues Richard de Serrières acknowledged holding a portion of the Peyraud moat in fief. This dispersal paved the way for the transfer to other noble families who would play a major role in the castle's history.
The golden age of the Roussillon family and the first destruction (14th century)
In the early 14th century, the Peyraud seigneury became part of the powerful House of Roussillon, which dominated the Annonay region and owned vast estates in the Vivarais, Forez and Lyonnais regions. In 1329, Jean de Roussillon, in financial or political difficulty, sold the land of Peyraud to Guillaume de Fay dit Coquart, bailiff of Forez, Velay and Vivarais.
Peyraud's destiny took a dramatic turn with Aymar de Roussillon. The latter entered into armed conflict with the Archbishopric of Lyon. During a confrontation, he captured two representatives of the Church, Bernard de Varey and Aymar de Villeneuve, and had the latter's tooth extracted. The outrage provoked the anger of King Jean le Bon, who was then residing in Avignon. In retaliation, he ordered the destruction of three strongholds belonging to the Roussillons, including Château de Peyraud.
Shortly afterwards, Arnaud de Fay, Aymar's son-in-law or cousin, obtained permission to rebuild the fortress. The de Fay dynasty became firmly established on the right bank of the Rhône.
The de Fay family, between faith and fire (15th - 16th centuries)
The Fay family were now the undisputed masters of the estate. Their ascension was consolidated by matrimonial alliances, notably with the House of Tournon, the de Solignac and the Palerne families. Their influence extended to several seigneuries and mandements in the Vivarais and Velay regions.
In the 16th century, amid the religious turmoil of the Reformation, the Fay family embraced the Calvinist cause. François de Fay, Baron de Peyraud, became a respected Huguenot leader. In 1561, he hosted Dauphiné's first Protestant synod in the château's main hall. His son Jean, more radical, launched military operations against surrounding Catholic villages and ransomed merchant convoys.
In 1574, royal troops, supported by Saint-Chamond and Claude d'Urfé, laid siege to the château with artillery. After several days of siege, the castle was taken. Jean de Fay fled with his men through a secret passage into the mountains.
The castle is razed to the ground...
18th-century noble rebirth
After several decades of ruin, the château was reborn thanks to Jeanne-Marie de Fay, the last descendant of the family line. In 1716, she married Denis-Emmanuel de Guignard, President of the Grenoble Parliament. Their marriage contract, signed at Peyraud, endowed the estate with over 80,000 livres.
In 1718, reconstruction of the château began: the residence adopted a typical Louis XIII-style pleasure plan, with a monumental façade, courtyard of honor and enfilade salons. The interior features a monumental staircase, vaulted rooms inherited from the former keep, and ornamental fireplaces.
In 1745, the land was sold to Pierre-Christophe Crottier de Chambonas, sieur de Mars, captain of grenadiers in the Penthièvre regiment. He took the title of Marquis de Peyraud. His family ensured the aristocratic continuity of the estate until the French Revolution.
Alliances and transmission in the 19th century
The Revolution upset the balance. The Marquis de Peyraud was dispossessed. Nevertheless, through a succession of alliances, the château came into the possession of Geneviève-Joséphine de Chambonas, wife of Joseph-Prosper-Hippolyte de Barrin, a high-ranking imperial official and prefect under the Bourbons.
Their daughter, Charlotte-Louise de Barrin, married Jules de Barjac, mayor of Cornas, in 1831. The de Barjacs re-established the family line on the estate. The civil registers bear witness to an intense family life, with fourteen children and numerous alliances with the Murat de Lestang, Chazotte and other ardéchois notables.
In 1814, during theAustrian invasion, the château was pillaged. Reports detail the theft of linen, silk dresses, weapons and bottles of rare wine. Despite this, the de Barjacs retained their prestige, becoming mayors, justices of the peace and landowners.
The 20th century and Protestant continuity
The château was acquired in the early 20th century by the Steinbach family, originally from Lyon and originally from the textile industry. Reformed Protestants, the Steinbachs keep alive the Huguenot memory of the place.
The château has been meticulously renovated, with medieval vaults, stone floors, staff decorations and 18th-century fireplaces all restored. Although closed to the public, it remains inhabited and participates in local historical studies. Historians from the SHPF (Société d'Histoire du Protestantisme Français) are welcomed here.
Today Galerie Atena installs its collection of Antiques...
In 2025, the château was acquired by the Sioufi-Ouaiss family, gallerists and antique dealers for 3 generations, who decided to install their collection of 18th and 19th century furniture and decorative objects in this marvellous green setting steeped in history...
In choosing Château de Peyraud as the location for Galerie Atena, we wanted to
- Pay homage to the past by restoring historic elements (original framework, painted decor, fireplaces, wallpaper...) with specialized craftsmen.
- Create a dialogue between eras: a piece of Louis XVI furniture displayed in a room with Renaissance-style walls takes on an almost symbolic dimension.
- Bring its legends to life and open the doors of the Château for corporate events (seminars, training courses, workshops, exhibitions, product launches...) or private events (candlelit dinners with a chef, cocktails in an exceptional setting, classical/jazz concerts and tailor-made events...).
Visit Château de Peyraud
By appointment only
