Château de la Roche, Medieval castle in Saint-Priest-la-Roche, France
The Château de la Roche stands on a rocky platform within the lake created by the Villerest dam, rising 30 meters above the water level.
First documented in 1260, the castle served as a strategic point for collecting tolls along the border of the County of Forez.
The castle hosts theatrical guided tours that combine historical facts with dramatic performances to explain the medieval lifestyle of its inhabitants.
Visitors can access the castle through guided tours, participate in escape games, or attend summer concerts in the outdoor theater space.
During the construction of the Villerest dam in 1984, this castle remained the only structure above water, transforming it into an island fortress.
Location: Saint-Priest-la-Roche
Address: Route touristique des Bords de Loire, 42590 Saint-Priest-la-Roche, France 42590 Saint-Priest-la-Roche
Opening Hours: Wednesday-Sunday 14:00-18:30
Phone: +33477649768
Website: https://lechateaudelaroche.fr
GPS coordinates: 45.89583,4.10167
Latest update: June 23, 2025 09:42
Saint-Etienne offers various photography settings with the Cite du Design and Cathedral Saint-Charles-Borromee. The city displays industrial buildings, art museums, gardens, and public squares. Outside the city center extend the Loire Gorges and Pilat Regional Park.
Between plains, dormant volcanoes, and deep forests, the Loire reveals a wealth of cultural heritage. Here, medieval castles stand alongside the wild landscapes of gorges and the Pilat massif, abbeys weave through hills and valleys, and fortified villages still carry the scent of the Middle Ages. From Saint-Étienne to Roanne, you pass cobbled streets, castles perched on heights, hidden waterfalls, and buildings designed by Le Corbusier. Each turn tells a chapter of history, an ancient stone, a landscape brought to life by the wind. The Loire is a land of contrasts, both industrial and poetic, proud of its legacy. These are the places not to miss to explore its soul, between built heritage and preserved nature.
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