Château de la Roquette, Medieval castle ruins in Rouet, France

Château de la Roquette, also called Château de Viviourès, stands on a rocky ridge west of the Montagne d'Hortus at 225–300 m altitude, facing the eastern ridge of Pic Saint-Loup and the Montferrand fortress. The photograph shows a rectangular tower of pale grey masonry with a broken, irregular top and small dark openings; a jagged rock outcrop rises to its right.

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 name Viviourès comes from the Bevieures family, who held a farm next to the fortress until the 18th century; their name derives from the Occitan 'bien viure', 'where life is good'. The castle lost its original name of la Roquette to this neighbouring farm, one of its former fiefs.

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.