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Origin and history

The Château de la Rochette, also known as the Château de Planta, is a historic building located in the commune of Fontaine, in the department of Isère, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Originally a strong house built in the 15th century by Jacques de Sassenage, chamberlain and first squire of Louis XI, it was built for his son Claude. This site stands at the foot of the cliffs of the Massif du Vercors, along the old national road 531 linking Grenoble to Bourg-de-Péage. Its current location, close to departmental 531 and Poya Municipal Park, makes it a visible landmark in the local landscape.

In the 17th century, the structure was transformed into a castle, then passed into the 18th century into the hands of the Falquet de Planta family, originally from Seyssel but settled in the Dauphiné since the previous century. The estate underwent numerous changes of owners, including the Dotto family, linked to the exploitation of Fontaine's quarries. In 1945, the castle became the property of the parish union of Fontaine before being assigned to the commune. His current name, "Château de la Rochette", was attributed to him in the 20th century, during works revealing his construction on a rock.

The castle is associated with Sébastien Falquet de Planta (1770-1839), lord of the estate and author of an abundant correspondence (a thousand letters), analyzed by historian Yves Joceur Montrozier. These writings offer a valuable testimony on the intellectual life of Paris and Grenoble, as well as on the political upheavals from the Revolution to the Restoration. Today, the castle is located near the station La Poya of the Grenoblo tramway, marking its anchoring in the local heritage.

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