Vaults of Le Château Chillon

[ Vaults ]

Vaults, Le Château Chillon

These vaults date from before the 13th century, when they were transformed and vaulted. The vaults were used as a storehouse in the 13th century, and a prison in the 14th. Bonivard, Prior of St. Victor's, Geneva, remained chained to one of the pillars here for four years because he favored the independence of Geneva. He was freed by the Bernese on March 29, 1536, and was immortalized by the poet Byron, who signed his name on another pillar.

From here, you can walk along the front wall, or you can go to the keep or to the moat.