Château Duin (Ruin) (Bex)

The tower of the Duin ruin is the remnant of a feudal castle, which was built in 1195 by the Lords of Bex.

From 1400 onwards, documents concerning Bex Castle are detailed. At that time, two co-regents had incurred the wrath of their liege lord, a Duke of Savoy, when they allowed Jean Arambourg of Bex to escape in 1423. He had been imprisoned in the tower; accused and found guilty of witchcraft. The Duke of Savoy punished the co-regents with a fine of 40 florins to encourage them to better supervise the criminals entrusted to them in the future.

Shortly thereafter, a certain Antoine de Bex swore allegiance to Amadeus VIII, the first Duke of Savoy and future Pope Felix V. In 1431, Antoine became Lord of Bex through his marriage to Margerite de Blonay. They settled in the castle, which then received the name "Duin Castle". The de Duin family inhabited the castle for about 150 years; from 1431 to 1574. These 1.5 centuries were turbulent. In 1641, the castle was abandoned and fell into disrepair.