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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Château de La Rochepot, originally called "Château de La Roche Nolay", is a 12th century building, rebuilt in the 15th century and completely rebuilt in the 19th century. It is located in La Rochepot, in the Côte d'Or, 15 km from Beaune. Its Gothic-bourguignon architecture and iconic varnished tiles make it a symbol of local heritage. The remains of the first castle, burned or abandoned, still remain in the surrounding forest.

In the 12th century, Alexander of Burgundy, son of Duke Hugues III, rebuilt the castle on the ruins of an earlier building. The site remains linked to the Burgundian families of Thil and Frôlois, before passing into the hands of Regnier Pot in 1403, which gives him his current name. The latter, chamberlain of Duke Philip II of Burgundy, develops the culture of Pinot Noir, in accordance with a ducal ordinance of 1395. The castle remained in the Pot family until the 16th century, before passing to the Montmorency, then to the Gondi, including the Cardinal of Retz.

The French Revolution marked a turning point: the castle, renamed "La Roche Fidele", was sold as a national property in 1799 and partially demolished. In 1893 Cécile Carnot, widow of President Sadi Carnot, acquired the ruins and offered them to his son, Colonel Sadi Carnot. The latter undertook an ambitious restoration from 1894 to 1927, inspired by the medieval style of the 15th century. The architect Charles Suisse, inspired by Viollet-le-Duc, reconstructs the castle with original decorative elements, such as sculptures and wall paintings.

The estate, classified as Historic Monument in 2013 and 2014, includes the castle, its outbuildings, a vineyard and a park. In 2015, it was bought by a group of Ukrainian investors, but financial and judicial difficulties undermined its future. Two auctions, one in 2021, dispersed part of its historic furniture, raising fears for the preservation of its heritage identity.

The architecture of the castle, triangular with round and square towers, is inspired by local medieval models like Châteauneuf-en-Auxois. Interior decorations, including tapestries, stained glass and varnished tiles, are original creations by Charles Switzerland and his collaborators, such as the painter Charles Lameire. The reconstructed drawbridges and defensive elements recall its fortress past.

Today, the Château de La Rochepot embodies both a testimony of Burgundian medieval history and a notable example of historicist restorations of the 19th century. Its future remains uncertain, between tourism development projects and risks of transformation into a private residence, endangering its historical and cultural integrity.

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