--- title: "Château de La Roche-en-Brenil: Park Walks and History" description: "Moated château near Saulieu, saved from demolition in 1841 by the writer Charles de Montalembert. Park paths open to walkers, private driver from Beaune." url: https://www.cote-privee.com/chateaux/chateau-de-la-roche-en-brenil lang: en updated: 2026-09-29 generated: 2026-10-08 image: https://www.cote-privee.com/og/chateaux/chateau-de-la-roche-en-brenil.png --- # Château de La Roche-en-Brenil > Château de La Roche-en-Brenil: a moated château on the edge of the Morvan, saved from demolition by the writer Charles de Montalembert. Château de La Roche-en-Brenil is in La Roche-en-Brenil (Côte-d'Or), 1 h 05 by road (83 km) from Beaune. Park or grounds to visit · 14th to 18th centuries · Private driver from Beaune: €230 one way for the whole car, up to 4 guests. 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. ## Key facts - Type: Manor - Location: 65 km north-west of Beaune · Côte-d'Or - Coordinates: 47.3851, 4.1815 - 1 h 05 from Beaune - Park or grounds to visit - 14th to 18th centuries - Commune: La Roche-en-Brenil · Côte-d'Or - Style: Moated château, around 1600, with 18th-century wing - Heritage: Registered historic monument - From Beaune: ≈ 1 h 05 · 83 km - €230 one way from Beaune with a [private driver](https://www.cote-privee.com/private-driver) ## Getting there - [Private driver from Beaune](https://www.cote-privee.com/private-driver): 1 h 05 by road (83 km), €230 one way for the whole car. Coming by train or plane? [Transfers from stations and airports](https://www.cote-privee.com/transfers) Estimates per vehicle for up to 4 guests, tolls included. Your price is confirmed when you book. ## 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 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. ## 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. ## Around Château de La Roche-en-Brenil What to combine with Château de La Roche-en-Brenil on the same day, nearest first. ### Châteaux - [Château de Bourbilly](https://www.cote-privee.com/chateaux/chateau-de-bourbilly) (9 km away): The Serein valley home of Saint Jeanne de Chantal and the Marquise de Sévigné, still lived in today. - [Château de Bierre-lès-Semur](https://www.cote-privee.com/chateaux/chateau-de-bierre-les-semur) (10 km away): Once called the 'little Versailles of Burgundy', an 18th-century estate now slowly coming back to life. - [Château de Thil](https://www.cote-privee.com/chateaux/chateau-de-thil) (12 km away): A ruined fortress and a Gothic collegiate church on a lone hilltop, visible for miles across the Auxois. ### Things to do - [Pierre-qui-Vire Abbey (Abbaye Sainte-Marie de la Pierre-qui-Vire)](https://www.cote-privee.com/things-to-do/abbaye-de-la-pierre-qui-vire), 10 km away: A living Benedictine monastery deep in the Morvan forest, beside a legendary rocking stone. - [François Pompon Museum (Musée François Pompon)](https://www.cote-privee.com/things-to-do/musee-francois-pompon), 12 km away: Sleek animal sculptures by the Saulieu-born artist who made the famous White Bear. - [Basilica of Saint-Andoche, Saulieu (Basilique Saint-Andoche)](https://www.cote-privee.com/things-to-do/basilique-saint-andoche-saulieu), 12 km away: A Romanesque church on the old Paris to Lyon road, famous for its carved capitals. ### Restaurants - [La Côte d’Or (Relais Bernard Loiseau)](https://www.cote-privee.com/restaurants/la-cote-d-or-saulieu), 12 km away · 2 MICHELIN stars: Bernard Loiseau's house in Saulieu: two stars and a century of Burgundian grand cuisine ## Questions about Château de La Roche-en-Brenil ### How far is Château de La Roche-en-Brenil from Beaune? 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. ### Can you visit Château de La Roche-en-Brenil? Its park or grounds can be visited, while the interior is not usually open. Check its official website before you go. ### Can a private driver take us to Château de La Roche-en-Brenil? Yes. Your driver collects you in Beaune or at your hotel in an electric Polestar 2 (up to 4 guests), waits while you visit and plans the rest of the day with you. The driver speaks English, French, Mandarin Chinese and Arabic. → [Private driver from Beaune](https://www.cote-privee.com/private-driver) ## Book - [Book a driver here](https://www.cote-privee.com/book?service=driver&place=chateau:larocheenbrenil): €230 one way from Beaune · up to 4 guests ## Sources - --- Canonical page: