Château de l'Orgère

Château de l'Orgère is a 20th century building located near Saint-Valère church in central Rives. It sits surrounded by roughly two hectares of former barley fields.

Construction began in 1912 but was interrupted in 1914 due to World War I and never fully completed. The building suffered looting during the wars.

Russian emigrants settled in the château starting in 1924 and created their own library and an orthodox chapel on the grounds. These spaces still bear traces of their community and religious practices.

The building is closed to visitors and cannot be entered due to safety concerns. From outside, you can view the exterior facade and surrounding fields from the street.

In the 1930s the château served as a training center for young Russian officers who had gone into exile after the revolution. This made it an important refuge for the exiled intelligentsia of the period.

Location: Rives

Inception: 1912

GPS coordinates: 45.35080,5.49964

Latest update: December 9, 2025 20:21