To help my casual visitors to understand better why this castle is considered a bit strange, I need to describe shortly the position of the village of Coinsins, which has on its back Jura Mountains and faces Lake Leman.
This situation is similar for most of villages of this area and all the historical buildings, villas and castles are usually built in order to have their main facade in front to the lake, to enjoy the view.
The Castle of Coinsins, on the opposite, has its main and most elegant facade on the other side and turns its back to the lake.
The legend says that the Lord of Coinsins, Louis de Portes, gave to an architect the task to build a new castle for him.
They discussed the project and looked at the plans together.
Then Louis de Portes left and came back when the castle was ready.
At his great amazement, when he got down from his coach, he immediately realized that the plans had been transformed back to front, so his brand new castle was facing the mountains....
He shouted at the architect: “You have turned my castles back to front! You won’t be paid!” and immediately left and he never lived in the castle at all!
But, of course it’s just a legend...
The matter is that the castle is really in a back to front position compared with all the other castles and manors of the area....


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This photo is part of a series
dedicated to a very small and unpretentious Swiss village
called Coinsins.
If you want to keep on the virtual visit,
please click on the gentle cow