Destruction of the medieval fortress 1388 (≈ 1388)
Ruined by the troops of the Duke of Burgundy.
1703
Construction begins
Construction begins 1703 (≈ 1703)
By engineer Aillet for François Bavoux.
XIXe siècle
Major renovations
Major renovations XIXe siècle (≈ 1865)
Internal and external changes.
1987
Registration for historical monuments
Registration for historical monuments 1987 (≈ 1987)
Protection of remains and facades.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Fossures, walls and substructures of the medieval castle, including archaeological remains; facades and roofs of all buildings: house bodies, outbuildings North and South on courtyard of honor, pigeon-houses, winery, gardener's house; portal of the lower court and the court of honour; well; next rooms of the house: staircase with ramp, large living room, small living room and library of the ground floor with panel and fireplace (plate included); spiral staircase and fireplace of the gardener's house (cad. A 671, 673 to 675): entry by order of 3 December 1987
Key figures
François Bavoux - Lord of Larret
Sponsor of the castle in the 18th century.
Ingénieur Aillet - Architect of the castle
Designed the building for Bavoux in 1703.
Duc de Bourgogne - Responsible for destruction
Troops ruined the fortress in 1388.
Origin and history
The Château de La Rochelle is an 18th-century building built by engineer Aillet for François Bavoux, lord of Larret. It stands on the ruins of a medieval fortress destroyed in 1388 by the troops of the Duke of Burgundy. The spatial organization combines medieval remains (premises, concentric ditches) and 18th-century buildings, structured around a forecourt and a courtyard of honor on a west-east axis.
In the 19th century, the castle underwent notable changes: modifications to the outbuildings, facades and interior fittings of the house. Despite these transformations, the ground floor retains original elements such as the 18th-century panelling and chimneys. The site, including archaeological remains and facades, was protected by an inscription as historical monuments in 1987.
The castle thus illustrates a superimposition of two architectural epochs: the traces of a medieval fortress and an 18th century seigneurial residence, reflecting the evolution of defensive and residential needs. Medieval ditches, walls, and substructures coexist with classical buildings, while elements such as the dovecote or the pantry testify to its agricultural and domestic use.
The building is located in the department of Haute-Saône, in Burgundy-Franche-Comté, on the commune of La Rochelle. Its precise address, 6 Grande Rue, and its Insee code (70450) confirm its anchoring in this historic territory, marked by a continuous human occupation since the Middle Ages.
