Château fort de Saint-Romain
Medieval castle ruins on a rocky spur, with wide views over the Saint-Romain cliffs.
- Medieval fortress
- 17 min from Beaune
- Park or grounds to visit
- 12th to 17th centuries (ruins)
€290for a half-day wine tour from Beaune, up to 4 guests
At a glance
- Commune
- Saint-Romain · Côte-d'Or
- Style
- Medieval castle ruins
Getting there
Private driver from Beaune: 17 min by road (13 km), €75 one way for the whole car.
Coming by train or plane? Transfers from stations and airports →
About the château
Above the wine village of Saint-Romain, the ruins of a medieval castle crown the rocky spur of the upper village, Saint-Romain-le-Haut. The site faces a ring of steep limestone cliffs. It is an open-air stop, and the Beaune tourist office recommends it for a walk among the ruins.
History
People settled on this spur long before the castle. Excavations in the early 1980s found traces of occupation from the 10th or 11th century up to the 17th. The castle itself is recorded from the 12th century, when it belonged to the lords of Saint-Romain. In the 14th century it was acquired by the Dukes of Burgundy, who placed it in the care of a castellan.
By the 15th century the fortress was ageing. In 1439 the castellan was called to order for letting the buildings fall into disrepair. The castle slowly lost its purpose after the Middle Ages and was finally dismantled during the Revolution. Archaeologists later uncovered the remains of its chapel, recorded in 1335, and stone coffins from a cemetery on the site.
Architecture
Little stands to full height today. What remains are sections of wall and the outline of the castle on the narrow spur, a natural defensive site protected by steep drops. The excavated chapel measured about 17 by 5 metres. The setting is the real draw: the spur looks across to the cliffs that close the valley around the lower village.
Visiting
Tips for your visit
The ruins are an open-air site in Saint-Romain-le-Haut, reached on foot from the upper village. Allow 30 to 45 minutes to walk around and enjoy the view. Wear good shoes, as the ground is uneven. The lower village has marked walking trails into the cliffs and vineyards.
Around here
What to combine with Château fort de Saint-Romain on the same day, nearest first.
Questions
Château fort de Saint-Romain is about 17 min from Beaune by road (13 km). With a private driver, the trip from Beaune starts at €75 for the whole car, up to 4 guests.
Did you know? Saint-Romain has two villages: the lower one sits at the foot of a ring of cliffs, while the upper one, with the church and castle ruins, perches on the rocky spur opposite.
Sources
Château fort de Saint-Romain with a private driver
Half-day wine tour from Beaune: €290 for the car, up to 4 guests