Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

Château Les Rochers, located in Preignac en Gironde, is an 18th century building rebuilt from 1777 by the Marquis Jean-François de Rolland, then president of the Bordeaux Parliament. The architecture adopts a U-shaped plan, framing a rectangular courtyard accessible by a monumental gate. The main house, rectangular in shape, is flanked by two square pavilions on each side, while a central forebody, surmounted by a triangular pediment, marks the facade. The outbuildings, dedicated to the wine-growing activities, close the courtyard, and elements such as the stable or chapel are located outside this set.

The castle's large courtyard was mainly used for wine production activities, reflecting the economic importance of viticulture in the region. At the back of the house, a garden decorated with ponds and fountains offered a landscape setting contrasting with work spaces. The estate, now owned by a private company, has been listed as a Historic Monument since 2008, including the castle and its gardens in their entirety. Its spatial organization and its mixed functions (residential, agricultural and winemaking) illustrate the aristocratic practices of the time, where castles played a central role in land exploitation.

The Marquis Jean-François de Rolland, sponsor of the works, embodies the influence of the 18th century Bordeaux parliamentary elites. These families, often owners of vineyards, combined political power and economic management, as evidenced by the design of Château Les Rochers. The listing of the site as a Historic Monuments underscores its heritage value, both for its architecture and for its history related to girondine viticulture. Available sources, such as the Mérimée base, confirm its address in Preignac and its membership in the Gironde department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.

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