The castle was built between 1257 and 1262 and consists of a roughly circular curtain wall which follows the contours of the ridge.

The walls stopped at the Rhone river which, at the time, protected the southern side of the castle.

In 1475 the castle was attacked and destroyed during the Burgundian Wars as the Upper Valais invaded the lower valley to fight the Duchy of Savoy who were allies of Charles the Bold.

The castle building was destroyed completely though Bayard tower and the outer walls receiving less damage.

[2] After the destruction of the castle, Saillon remained the center of a vogtei under a bailiff appointed by the victorious Upper Valais.