Château de Rochetaillée, Listed medieval castle in Saint-Étienne, France
The Château de Rochetaillée is a listed medieval castle set on a hilltop in the Rochetaillée district of Saint-Étienne, France. The site consists of stone walls and three remaining towers that rise along a ridge at around 2,460 feet (750 meters) above sea level.
The first written record of the castle dates to 1173, though the earliest foundations go back to the early 11th century. It passed through several hands over the medieval period, including the Abbey of Valbenoîte and later the family of Jarez.
The Château de Rochetaillée sits on a ridge above the village, and three of its original four towers are still standing today. Walking around them gives a clear sense of how a medieval defensive structure was laid out on a hilltop.
The north side of the castle is not accessible, so it is best to approach from the other sides to see the main structures. The key to the main tower can be collected from the Rochetaillée town hall on presentation of an identity document, and entry to the site is free.
The castle stands exactly on the European watershed, meaning rainwater falling on one side of its walls eventually drains toward the Atlantic, while water on the other side heads to the Mediterranean. A short distance away, the Gouffre d'Enfer dam, built in 1866, is one of the earliest arch dams in France.
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