TOUR DE BEROLD

The Bérold tower is part of this remarkable heritage of Savoy, a place steeped in history. The Facim Foundation offers guided tours on an occasional basis. This is where the cradle of the Savoy family is located, on this perched site, overlooking the valley since the 9th century. Archaeological excavations have uncovered objects attesting to Gallo-Roman occupation. To return to the tower, which stands 14.50 m above ground level, it officially appeared in 887 but had to have existed before that date. It was attacked by the Saracens in the 10th century, and is probably renovated by the mythical Berold of Saxony, ancestor of the first Earl of Maurienne and founder of the House of Savoy: Humbert aux Blanches Mains. Later, the tower would have a calmer history until it was even abandoned, then renovated in 1828 by Charles-Félix de Savoie, King of Sardinia. During the liberation operations of Savoy in 1944, it was occupied by the Germans.