What makes the tower at La Roche unique?

Its oval plan, formed between the late 12th and early 13th century, makes it virtually unique in France, where keeps almost always adopted rectangular or circular floor plans.

Who was born at the castle of La Roche?

Michel de L'Hospital, who became Chancellor of France and played a major role during the Wars of Religion.

When did the castle become a residence?

In the 15th century, when it was established as a fief; until then it was primarily a fortification, after which the buildings were reorganized as a dwelling arranged around a courtyard.

Château de La Roche

Roche Castle

Chaptuzat

Access

No visits on recordNo opening hours or ticketing found

Where: Chaptuzat

To make a day of it

Open within 20 km

Sleep nearby

Château de La Roche stands in Chaptuzat (Puy-de-Dôme), in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. The building is listed as a historic monument (dating recorded in the Mérimée database: 14th century, 15th century, 16th century). The building is privately owned and no visits are on record.

The castle of La Roche has overlooked Chaptuzat since the 12th century, initially as a watchtower and later transformed into a residence from the 15th century onward. Its most distinctive feature is the oval tower from the 12th-13th century, a remarkably rare example in France of a keep with an oval plan. The site blends ancient defensive architecture with residential modifications organized around a central courtyard, protected by two successive walls, a moat and flanking works.

What to know

The oval tower from the late 12th and early 13th century is an architectural rarity, with very few examples of keeps with an oval plan existing in France.
Both the castle and its oval tower have been protected as historical monuments since 1965 and 1981.
Michel de L'Hospital, Chancellor of France and a major figure of the Wars of Religion, was born in this castle.
The buildings are organized around a central courtyard, with interior modifications dating from the 19th century.
A double fortified wall, moat and round towers with crenellations and machicolations defended the complex, of which several structures remain.

Where this château is

Chaptuzat · Puy-de-Dôme · Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Map of the area around Château de La Roche

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

1 All. du Château - Bens, 63260 Chaptuzat

Directions open from wherever you are, by car or public transport.

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Heritage status: Listed historic monument (classé); Mérimée record PJR63000865
Period of construction: 14th century, 15th century, 16th century

Frequently asked

What makes the tower at La Roche unique?: Its oval plan, formed between the late 12th and early 13th century, makes it virtually unique in France, where keeps almost always adopted rectangular or circular floor plans.
Who was born at the castle of La Roche?: Michel de L'Hospital, who became Chancellor of France and played a major role during the Wars of Religion.
When did the castle become a residence?: In the 15th century, when it was established as a fief; until then it was primarily a fortification, after which the buildings were reorganized as a dwelling arranged around a courtyard.