History

At the 16th century, during the religious wars, the protestants were pushed back in the Trièves by the catholics who were controling the Brion bridge, main road of the south, the "Monestier de Clermont" road didn't exist yet.
On this road, François de Sarrazin built the "Herbelon Château" in 1603.

Built as a true catholic fortress fitted of two tower with embrasures and fortifications (taken apart today), the Château overhanging the Drac, belonged to the Diois county.
When the "Monestier de Clermont" road been traced out, the castle lost its fortress utility. It been given to the Armand family as an heritage then, and after to the Ravier family until 1788. It has belonged to Emile Durant-Savoyat (congressman then senator).
On December the 26th 1756, the thatch roof been crashed under the snow weight. In 1757, André Claude Ravier made it rebuild and cover by tiles.
Around 1950, EDF (the national electrical company) bought all the surending lands to build the future artificial lake boom.

In 1963, the lake waters threatened the castle already in ruins which was promise to destruction; it been saved then by Madeleine and Jules Castillan (hosters at La Grave and at the "Alpe d'Huez "), who bought off it in 1965.
A lot of repairs followed : renovation of the frame in view to create rooms, caves fitting-out, rip-rap of the lakefronts to avoid erosion...
Every room has been integrally got back with original materials in the old times spirit way.

Since 1985, the "Herbelon Château" has became an hotel, kept by Charles and Patricia CASTILLAN.