Cly Castle

To find Cly Castle, you have to climb up into the municipality of Saint-Denis. The ruins stand on a rocky spur at 780 metres, above the central valley, near Saint-Vincent. The view stretches a long way along the valley, both east and west towards Aosta. That alone explains the choice of site.

A tower and walls

Cly is a “primitive”-type castle. The plan is simple: a large quadrangular tower surrounded by a curtain wall. Nothing here was designed for comfort. Everything served defence.

Timber dated to 1027

Dendrochronological analyses have been carried out on the timbers of the building. This method dates wood by counting the growth rings of trees. It places the construction in 1027. Cly is therefore one of the oldest castles in the valley.

The following centuries changed it. From a defensive post it became a lord’s residence. It belonged to the Challant family, then to the Dukes of Savoy. Each owner adapted it to their needs.

Three centuries of neglect

At the end of the 16th century the castle was abandoned. No one looked after it any more, and it gradually fell into ruin. At the beginning of the 20th century Tancredi Tibaldi, mayor of Saint-Denis, began the first conservation work. The decay was finally halted.

The walls of Cly Castle

Excavations, restoration and medieval festivals

Today the municipality and the cultural association “Le Manoir de Cly” look after the site. Restoration work and archaeological excavations are ongoing. The association also organises medieval events, which bring the castle back to life and draw both residents and visitors. Coming to Cly also helps to preserve the site.

The tower of Cly Castle