HISTORY
The first memories of La Tour du Treuil (The Tower of the Trellis or Winch, which probably references the multitude of grape vines that were previously covering he area), date back to the year 1170, when it was in the hands of two brothers, Feliks and Marc Croy-Chanel, who were heirs to the Hungarian throne. Throughout the centuries the ownership of this magnificent structure changed perio
dically, depending on the political and economic status of the region. At the end of the conflicts between two provinces, (Savoie and Dauphine), in the XIV century, the peace agreement was actually signed at La Tour du Treuil by both Dukes. Almost all the wooden structure of the roof and ceilings presently in existence date as far back as 1355, according to the dendrological analysis conducted in 1994. The original 2 meter, (6 foot), thick walls, have been standing since they were built in 1170. Thanks to its location on the crossroads of three main trade routes in the Alps, La Tour du Treuil has known life as a treasury house as well as a tax office. The beginning of the XV century brought long awaited peace to this region. During this period La Tour changed ownership several times. The new owners were from different families but all were major land owners in the vicinity of Allevard. In 1629, Baroness de Marcieu de la Palud de Monteynard sold the property to a wealthy Italian merchant from Bergamo, Pierre Pomine, for the sum of 1,200 golden florins (a sum that represented a very large amount of money in the XVII century). From 1729 until the French Revolution in 1789, La Tour was in the hands of the very prominent and well connected family of Baron Barral de la Batie d’Arvillard. In the beginning of 1905, Joseph Montamayer, a winemaker from Allevard, bought La Tour and the surrounding land and established a vineyard on the hills right below. The Family Montmayer owned the property for almost an entire century. Before and during World War II, La Tour du Treuil was a refuge for Russian aristocrats who were escaping Bolshevik oppression. From 1940 until 1944, the underground Russian Orthodox Church was operating within its majestic walls. In the late 1950’s and 1960’s, La Tour also operated as childrens camp site with at times more then 100 children residing in La Tour and camping in the grounds. In 1991 the Buchot family, who were the owners of La Tour at that time, opened and operated a medieval restaurant on the lower floors. After ten years of prosperity, Monsieur Buchot faced financial challenges and decided to offer La Tour du Treuil up for sale. So it was in early 2001, that La Tour was again in the hands of the first non-French owner, Peter Turosienski, who purchased this magnificent building with the aim to create a European vacation residence for his family and friends. Under the watchful eye of French architect Jacques Félix-Faure and a group of archeologists from the Rhone Alps Historical Society, La Tour underwent extensive restoration. As a result of meticulous planning, over 6 years, the building was transformed into a residence that presented a harmony between the past and the present. The result was an interior which was filled with modern and luxurious comforts. An elevator, and of course a selection of bedrooms with en-suites and a kitchen that would be the envy of many, is juxtaposed with the medieval stone walls and wooden structures which were lovingly protected and preserved, thus creating a unique and unforgettable estate. Australians, Christian and Suzanne Carroll, purchased La Tour in late 2010. Further renovations commenced in 2015 to transform the current 8 bedrooms into 4 sumptuous and private suites. In addition, they added a heated pool and gym been to compliment the whirlpool bath and sauna facilities, which was created in the modern extension that was built into the side of the terrain in order to protect the integrity and appeal of La Tour. Peter Turosienski's love for La Tour never waned over the 12 years since the Carrolls purchased the estate, so in 2022, Peter and his wife Kasia repurchased La Tour. Located just 1 ½ hours drive from Geneva International Airport en route to Provence and the Cote d’Azur, it is perfectly positioned for not only the residents of Geneva looking for a special weekend getaway, but also for tourists arriving from Australia, the US or UK looking to spend a special night or 2 after their flights to get into the local French time-zone, cuisine, cheeses and of course wine.
