Château de la Roquette, Medieval castle ruins in Rouet, France
Château de la Roquette is a castle ruin perched on a ridge west of Montagne d'Hortus, overlooking the eastern edge of Pic Saint-Loup. The remains sit at an elevation of 225 to 300 meters (738 to 984 feet) and are protected as a registered historical monument.
The fortress was first recorded in the 12th century as Castrum de Rocheta and belonged to the count of Melgueil. It later passed to the Lautrec family in the 16th century.
The place is known by the name of a nearby farm, Bévieures, whose name comes from Occitan and means 'place where life is good'. This naming reflects how rural settlement and farming shaped local identity in this mountain region.
The ruins are difficult to access and in a deteriorated state, requiring caution when exploring. Visitors should expect uneven terrain and unclear signage, making sturdy footwear essential.
A mason from Saint-Martin-de-Londres purchased and dismantled the ruin in 1841, reusing its stone elements in other regional buildings. This practice was common at the time, as old ruins served as convenient sources of construction material.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
