Château de La Roche-en-Brenil
A moated château on the edge of the Morvan, saved from demolition by the writer Charles de Montalembert.
- Manor
- 1 h 05 from Beaune
- Park or grounds to visit
- 14th to 18th centuries
€230one way from Beaune with a private driver
At a glance
- Commune
- La Roche-en-Brenil · Côte-d'Or
- Style
- Moated château, around 1600, with 18th-century wing
- Heritage
- Registered historic monument
Getting there
Private driver from Beaune: 1 h 05 by road (83 km), €230 one way for the whole car.
Coming by train or plane? Transfers from stations and airports →
About the château
La Roche-en-Brenil lies on the northern edge of the Morvan, near Saulieu, about an hour from Beaune. Its château stands on a moated platform with towers, a chapel and a round dovecote. It was rescued in the 19th century by Charles de Montalembert, and his descendants still own it. Paths in the park are open to walkers.
History
A castle is recorded here in 1210, and the first fortress on the site goes back to the 12th century. In the 16th century the old fortress was turned into a residence, and the historian Claude Courtépée wrote in 1774 that it had been built around 1600. In 1716 Guy Sallier carried out further alterations, and a new wing in the taste of the 18th century followed.
In the 19th century the château was about to be sold for its stone. From 1841 Charles de Montalembert, the liberal Catholic writer and politician, saved it and restored it. Montalembert, who lived from 1810 to 1870, sat in both chambers of parliament and was elected to the Académie française in 1851. The château still belongs to one of his descendants. It was listed as a historic monument in 1992.
Architecture
The château stands on a rectangular platform surrounded by water-filled moats, crossed by bridges. The main east wing, from around 1600, has round towers at its corners, while the south wing of the 18th century has a mansard roof. The oldest part is a rectangular tower at the south-west corner, probably of the 14th century. Inside are salons, a library and a chapel, and the estate keeps a round dovecote.
Visiting
Tips for your visit
The château is a private home and the interior is not open. The paths through the park are open to walkers. La Roche-en-Brenil fits into a day around Saulieu, Thil and the lakes of the Morvan. Check with the local tourist office for information on the area.
Around here
What to combine with Château de La Roche-en-Brenil on the same day, nearest first.
Questions
Château de La Roche-en-Brenil is about 1 h 05 from Beaune by road (83 km). With a private driver, the trip from Beaune starts at €230 for the whole car, up to 4 guests.
Did you know? In 1841 La Roche-en-Brenil was about to be pulled down by stone merchants. Charles de Montalembert, later a member of the Académie française, stepped in and saved it.
Sources
Château de La Roche-en-Brenil with a private driver
€230 one way from Beaune · up to 4 guests