Tour Sarrazine
Presentation
The Tour Sarrazine has been built between the 12th and the 13th century. name is coming from the way of how it has been built and not from the Saracen invasion.
Open july and august only.
Open july and august only.
A bit of history…
It was occupied by the lords of Bozel, the Des Rouges family, and the Rol family (who were part of the entourage of the Counts of Savoy and the Archbishop of Tarentaise). In the 13th century, the Du Verger noble family owned the tower. It subsequently passed, through inheritance or purchase, into the hands of various private owners.
The building’s history:
The tower, as it stands today, was not damaged during the Saracen invasions of the 9th century. Only its imposing appearance is reminiscent of the structures built by the Saracens, whose raids have left a lasting mark on the collective memory.
The architecture:
It stands 19 metres tall. It comprised three storeys (one of which was partially filled in following the flooding of the Bonrieu).
People moved from one floor to another via ladders or steep internal staircases.
The walls are thick (providing passive defence). The roof was added later, following alterations to the top floor.
The tower’s functions:
Originally, the tower was likely used as a residence. It also served as an ideal vantage point overlooking the surrounding valleys and villages.
The lower level of the tower was probably used to store provisions. This level was partially filled in during the flooding of the Bonrieu.
The current second floor was the nobles’ floor. It was where the lord exercised his authority. Two Romanesque doors open onto this level and, at some unknown date, a large fireplace was installed.
The upper floors were private quarters.
The Tower, a striking symbol of seigneurial power, was not a stand-alone structure, but formed part of a complex of buildings whose nature and scale remain unknown.
New for 2026: Come and discover the new permanent exhibition at the Sarrazine Tower in Bozel: Géo Tour d’Horizons
Open to everyone, young and old alike, it explores the evolution of landscapes and, in particular, the formation of the Alps (rocks, water, climate change, etc.) through a varied and accessible exhibition design featuring hands-on activities and other educational workshops.
It was occupied by the lords of Bozel, the Des Rouges family, and the Rol family (who were part of the entourage of the Counts of Savoy and the Archbishop of Tarentaise). In the 13th century, the Du Verger noble family owned the tower. It subsequently passed, through inheritance or purchase, into the hands of various private owners.
The building’s history:
The tower, as it stands today, was not damaged during the Saracen invasions of the 9th century. Only its imposing appearance is reminiscent of the structures built by the Saracens, whose raids have left a lasting mark on the collective memory.
The architecture:
It stands 19 metres tall. It comprised three storeys (one of which was partially filled in following the flooding of the Bonrieu).
People moved from one floor to another via ladders or steep internal staircases.
The walls are thick (providing passive defence). The roof was added later, following alterations to the top floor.
The tower’s functions:
Originally, the tower was likely used as a residence. It also served as an ideal vantage point overlooking the surrounding valleys and villages.
The lower level of the tower was probably used to store provisions. This level was partially filled in during the flooding of the Bonrieu.
The current second floor was the nobles’ floor. It was where the lord exercised his authority. Two Romanesque doors open onto this level and, at some unknown date, a large fireplace was installed.
The upper floors were private quarters.
The Tower, a striking symbol of seigneurial power, was not a stand-alone structure, but formed part of a complex of buildings whose nature and scale remain unknown.
New for 2026: Come and discover the new permanent exhibition at the Sarrazine Tower in Bozel: Géo Tour d’Horizons
Open to everyone, young and old alike, it explores the evolution of landscapes and, in particular, the formation of the Alps (rocks, water, climate change, etc.) through a varied and accessible exhibition design featuring hands-on activities and other educational workshops.
OuverturesFrom 05/07 to 28/08/2026 on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday between 3 pm and 7 pm.
From 19/09 to 20/09/2026 between 2 pm and 6 pm.
From 19/09 to 20/09/2026 between 2 pm and 6 pm.
Informations
- Main facilities :
- Museum
- Architectural styles of historic sites and monuments :
- Municipal museum
Equipments & Services
- Accessibility :
- Not accessible in a wheelchair
- Parking :
- Parking
Contact
Tour Sarrazine
21 Route de Villemartin
73350
Bozel
Phone : +33 4 79 55 03 77
- Reception :
Destination
Tour Sarrazine, musée
21 Route de Villemartin
73350
Bozel
GPS coordinates
Latitude : 45.443437
Longitude : 6.647362
- Environment :
- Village centre
- Mountain location
- Lake 5 km away
Prices
Free of charge.