Rouelbeau Castle

Meinier, Switzerland, Switzerland

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Rouelbeau Castle is a ruined medieval lowland fortress located in the municipality of Meinier in the canton of Geneva, Switzerland, marking it as the only comprehensively visible remnant of a medieval castle in the entire canton.

First constructed as a wooden structure in 1318 by Humbert de Choulex under the lords of Faucigny to secure access to Lake Geneva amid power struggles with Savoy, it was rebuilt in stone between 1339 and 1355 with a rectangular layout, circular corner towers, thick walls, and a moat, before being conquered by Savoyard forces in 1355 and gradually falling into decay.

Recognized as a Swiss heritage site of national significance, the ruins underwent archaeological excavations and restoration from 2001 to 2013 as part of the Seymaz river marsh renaturation project, now featuring a bronze model, info panels, and local legends of a White Lady ghost.