Rochefort-en-Terre Castle

Rochefort-en-Terre Castle, locally known as Château de Rochefort-en-Terre, lies above the village of the same name, in the Morbihan department in France.

The first castle at this site was built during the 12th century by the Lords of Rochefort. This castle was partly razed in 1488, during the French-Breton War, as ordered by Charles VIII of France. From 1490 Jean IV de Rieux started to rebuilt it.

In 1594, during the French Wars of Religion, this second castle was looted by the troops of the Duke of Mercœur. In the 17th century it was partially rebuilt by the Larlan family. It was looted a second time in 1793 by Republican troops after a battle against Royalist Chouan rebels. It left the castle almost completely destroyed after which it fell to ruin.

In 1907 the ruins of Rochefort-en-Terre Castle were bought by the American painter Alfred Klots. He then built a Neo-Gothic manor using the remaining ruins. In the new building he incorporated original materials taken from the former castle of Keralio in Noyal-Muzillac. He re-used windows, doors, towers and a gate. Even the little chapel, which now stands in the courtyard, was dismantled at Keralio and rebuilt again here. During both world wars the castle was used as a field hospital.

At present the castle belongs to the municipality. It serves as a park and houses the Naïa Museum of Fantastic Arts. The museum was named after a witch by that name who inhabited the ruins at the end of the 19th century.

During daytime the park of the castle can freely be visited. When I visited the museum was closed. A nice castle is a very picturesque village.

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