La Roche-en-Brenil Castle

La Roche-en-Brenil Castle, locally known as Château de La Roche-en-Brenil or simply Château de La Roche, lies next to the village of the same name in the Côte-d'Or department in France.

Founded in the 12th century, La Roche-en-Brenil Castle was first mentioned in 1230. It probably replaced an earlier defensive tower near this site. The original castle was rebuilt during the 14th century and that became the castle we see today.

At the end of the 16th century the necessity of defense had disappeared, so in 1576 La Roche-en-Brenil Castle was rebuilt into a more pleasurable residence. This caused the north tower and part of the walls to be knocked down.

The castle belonged to the Barons of Montpéroux and the Dyo family. In 1841 its owners were planning to destroy the castle by turning it into a stone quarry. The castle was saved from this fate by Count Charles Forbes René de Montalembert, who bought the castle in 1841. He restored the castle and had an English landscape garden laid out next to it. His descendants still inhabit the castle.

At present La Roche-en-Brenil Castle is a private residence and thus can not be visited. The castle park can freely be visited. A nice simple castle.

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