Urban Exploration - The Helix Castle

We received photos from a traveler and compiled them into a historical summary.

Château Helix is a vast edifice located in a remote, forgotten corner of the Isère department. Relatively little is known about this place, though it is worth noting that a historical book on the castle is currently being finalized by Christophe Meuret. Let’s take a look at this beautiful building together.

The current structure dates back to the 16th century. For reasons unknown—perhaps because no owner ever requested it—the castle is not listed as a historical monument, nor is it included in the supplementary inventory. This prevents any protective action from the DRAC (Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs). A medieval castle reportedly stood on this site previously, though nothing of it remains today.

It is not an easy place to visit, as it carries a sulfurous reputation for ill-intentioned individuals slashing car tires. Is this true? Of course, no one knows if this stems solely from the twisted mind of an urbexer trying to protect their own private turf. Regardless, I park my car very far away and immediately feel as though I am being watched. The culprit is the utter chaos caused by airsoft games. Suddenly on a Saturday, or even mid-week, forty to fifty cars appear, and inside the castle, it becomes Mariupol.

The modern history of this castle is known to me only in fragments, though a filmed project is currently underway to collect testimonies. Records show that in the 18th century, the vast building served as a thermal establishment. These baths eventually closed in 1926. At the rear of the castle, a massive three-story glass structure once allowed for sunbathing. The thermal water came from a hot spring pumped from further down the valley. The construction of a massive dam in the 1950s flooded the spring and ended the activity; the pump is now underwater. One can actually still feel the warm current while swimming below the castle.

Later, the site served as a summer camp for children from La Seyne-sur-Mer. This likely explains the presence of school-style chairs and tables in many areas, as well as the transformation of ceremonial rooms into vast classrooms using "drywall and company" partitions. Should we also deduce that the countless pairs of skis found here date from this period? Many people recall having worked for the camp; it was the castle's happy era.

Subsequently, the site was used as a rehabilitation center for drug addicts. In one of the attics, numerous papers referring to this activity can be found. For various reasons that shall remain tucked away in a drawer of silence, this period was harmful. "Cold turkey" withdrawal was practiced—a difficult experience, yet effective in its own way. Severe abuse is alleged to have occurred. It is a story in itself, one that falls outside the scope of this account.

Then came the year 1998, marking the end of all activity. Solitude and isolation followed—a plethora of abandonment for a place that gradually became open to the elements. Initially, a caretaker was stationed there, but for reasons that elude us, they were dismissed. Thus began the fierce vandalism. The house was set on fire, and the rotting Lamborghini went with it.

The charm of this castle—and the source of its name, Helix—lies in its two spiral staircases, which lend an undeniable and unforgettable allure. Aside from this, the rest of the castle is significantly less interesting, with rooms that are quite mundane. Nevertheless, the courtyard is beautiful, crowned by a strange two-story building at the base of the U-shape—a more than curious structure, a watchtower of great charm.

Beyond that, one finds all the classic draws of urbex: heavy destruction in some areas, rotting floors, slamming windows, dark corners with somber spiders, and ultra-solitary attics. The view of the surrounding countryside is absolutely formidable. The meadows seem so small and distant compared to such a massive castle. Good grief, it is beautiful.

I found great joy in visiting this place; perhaps it is due to its fierce isolation. It feels like enjoying a world buried in oblivion.