Rochebaron Castle

En un regard

Le château en bref

The ruined castle of Rochebaron crowns the summit of a rocky spur located in the commune of Bas-en-Basset, about 1.5 km north-west of that village, in the far north-east of the French department of Haute-Loire, on the borders of the Velay and the former County of Forez. The present ruins are the remains of a vast complex erected at the beginning of the 15th century on the foundations of an older castle, and include in particular the southern façade of a chapel, the gatehouse with turrets adjoining it, and two tall towers, known as the circular tower and the triangular tower. The fortress, held of the County of Forez from at least the 14th century, and enfeoffed in turn to various noble families, was one of the stakes in the rivalry between the bishops of Le Puy and the counts of Forez. Progressively abandoned from the 17th century, having not even had an owner since the beginning of the 19th century, the castle could only fall into rapid decay. Since 1972, a volunteer association has worked to preserve and enhance it and to organise visits. Rochebaron Castle has been listed as a monument historique since December 1951.