Sarriod de la Tour Castle
A fortified house on the plain at Saint-Pierre, and its hall of carved heads
Saint-Pierre has two castles. The better known, perched on its rock, can be seen from afar. The second, Sarriod de la Tour, stands lower down, on the plain, near the Dora. It is less conspicuous, but its interior holds some surprises.
The Sarriod de la Tour family
The castle bears the name of the family who lived in it for centuries. The Sarriod de la Tour were a noble family of the valley. Each generation altered the building. The family also played its part in local history.
The oldest parts are thought to date back to the 12th century. At the centre stands a tower. Around it, buildings were gradually added within a surrounding wall. The castle thus evolved with the times while keeping its medieval layout.
A fortified house
The complex was first and foremost defensive. The walls are solid, and the tower made it possible to keep watch over the surrounding area. But Sarriod de la Tour was not only a fortress. It was also a home, with its reception rooms and living quarters.
The hall of heads and the chapel
The most curious room is the “hall of heads”. Its wooden ceiling rests on more than 170 corbels carved in the 15th century. Each one depicts a different figure: human faces, animals, monsters, fantastic creatures.
The chapel, for its part, retains medieval frescoes. Other rooms preserve wall paintings and old furniture, which give an idea of the life of the local nobility.
Visiting
The castle is now open to visitors. Guided tours, designed for all ages, introduce its rooms and its history. For the people of Saint-Pierre, it is an important part of their heritage.
