Grandson

Othon I de Grandson (c. 1238–1328) was the most famous of the Lords of Grandson. He accompanied Prince Edward of England on the Ninth Crusade in 1271, served at Acre, and reportedly saved Edward's life during an assassination attempt. He later led the defense of Acre in 1291 — the last Crusader stronghold — evacuating the wounded on Venetian ships as the city fell. He served as Chief Justiciar of Wales from 1284 to 1294.

When Charles the Bold's army fled Grandson on March 2, 1476, the Swiss captured one of the most extraordinary treasure hoards of the late Middle Ages. The booty included the Three Brothers jewel (three enormous spinels and pearls), the Sancy diamond, Charles's golden ducal hat encrusted with rubies and diamonds, his kilogram-of-gold seal, a silver bathtub, and magnificent Flemish tapestries. Soldiers reportedly sold precious gems for small sums, not recognizing their worth.

On February 28, 1476, after the garrison of Grandson Castle surrendered on assurances of mercy, Charles the Bold broke his word. All 412 defenders were systematically executed — hanged from trees or drowned in Lake Neuchâtel — in a spectacle lasting four hours. The papal nuncio Panigarola described the scene as "shocking and horrible." The massacre enraged the Confederation; two days later, the Swiss army routed the Burgundians.

The region around Grandson has been inhabited since prehistoric times. A Neolithic menhir dating to 3000–2000 BC stands roughly 4 meters tall on the commune's territory. Nearby are the alignements de Clendy (45 standing stones erected over 6,000 years ago) and UNESCO-listed prehistoric pile-dwelling settlements. The town was first mentioned in 993, and the Lords of Grandson built the castle in the second half of the 11th century to control the coast road along Lake Neuchâtel.

The Château de Grandson is one of the largest and best-preserved medieval castles in Switzerland. In March 2026, the castle museum reopened after a major 40-million-franc renovation, coinciding with the 550th anniversary of the Battle of Grandson. The new exhibitions cover the Burgundian Wars, the fortress's history, and include a centre dedicated to the crossbow. Among the legendary booty captured in 1476 was a silver bathtub belonging to Charles the Bold.

Oton de Granson was a notable medieval French-language poet, author of 122 extant poems including some of the earliest Valentine's Day love poems. Chaucer called him "the flour of hem that make in France" and translated several of his ballades. Together, Granson and Chaucer are credited with inventing the link between St. Valentine's Day and romantic love. The Romanesque Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste in Grandson, a monument of national significance, features remarkable sculpted 12th-century capitals.

In 1291, Othon de Grandson returned to the Holy Land to lead the defense of Acre — the last Crusader stronghold. As the city fell, he commandeered Venetian ships to evacuate the wounded. This was the final chapter of the Crusades in the Levant. Othon then returned to Europe, serving as England's representative at the Papal Curia until 1317 before retiring to his castle on Lake Neuchâtel.

The Château de Grandson's 2026 renovation includes a new centre dedicated to the crossbow (arbalète), connecting Grandson to the wider Swiss tradition of marksmanship and the legend of William Tell. The castle is classified as a Swiss heritage site of national significance. The crossbow was the weapon of choice for Swiss confederates in their wars of independence, and marksmanship festivals remain an important Swiss cultural tradition.