Château de Rochefort

Rochefort castle is one of the rare traces of the "pre-renaissance" period in France. Built on the site of older strongholds, and set on a rocky spur, the building is made up of two large parts: the seigniorial dwelling, with its six towers, and the outbuildings, inhabited until 1956.

The probable construction of the first castle began in the 12th century, as suggested by the existence of a manuscript dated 1196, mentioning the name "Rupes Fortis" (Strong Rock), the name of a seigneury, whose first lord was called Eymon.

The names of the lords of Rochefort are mentioned in archive texts in the 13th century, when the lordship was bought back by Jacques Coictier, chamberlain to Louis XI, after having been dismantled on the orders of Duke Jean Sans Peur. At the end of the 15th century, Jacques Coictier built the noble dwelling. In 1501, the castle was bought by the de Rochefort family, who may have built the western extension of the main building and the chapel. The castle was then acquired by Denis Languet, a prosecutor at the Dijon parliament. In the 17th century, the main building of the entrance hall, the high terrace and the retaining wall with niches were probably built.

Around 1789, the castle was bought by the de La Guiche family, who owned it until 2017.
In the 1970s, the castle benefited for the first time from a protection project which ended in failure, leaving it abandoned and deteriorating for some years. In 1974, the site was classified as a Historic Monument.

In 2002, the association "Les Clefs de Rochefort", a member of the REMPART Union, was created, made up of a group of citizens who carried out work to maintain, restore and make the site safe. An action to promote the site has also been undertaken through the organisation of various events.

In 2015, the State asked the owners to carry out emergency conservation work. In 2016, the owners started legal proceedings against the State and lost their case. On 6 December 2017, the de Laguiche family sold the castle to the association "des Clefs de Rochefort" for a symbolic price.

Extensive work will take place from December 2018 to December 2020: the aim is to restore and secure the entrance area. To date, the outbuildings have a new roof made of a permanent framework and a temporary roof. During the two years of work, shoring was carried out in the most vulnerable areas and the breach in the 15th century tower was filled in. The association's objective is now to find the necessary funds to secure the seigniorial dwelling (dividing wall, etc.).