The area around the capital is truly wonderful. You can find perched villages, wonderful castles and go on splendid hikes. This time we’d like to introduce you to a magnificent village: La Roche-Guyon. This charming village in the Île-de-France region offers exceptional panoramic views over the entire Seine valley and surrounding area. But today, we’d especially like to tell you about its picturesque château. An astonishing historical landmark, part of which is troglodyte.
A surprising troglodyte château 1 h from Paris
Erected on a chalk cliff around the XIIᵉ century for Guy I de La Roche, this imposing castle overlooks the entire Vexin valley. At the time, it was used to ensure the smooth and safe navigation of the river. This fortress has a high part, with its watchtower built right into the rock, and a low part, designed in the XIIIᵉ century for the comfort of its owners. Incidentally, the keep and the lower, added main building were linked by a secret passageway over 100 meters long, still visible today.
Having fallen into disuse, the château was given a second lease of life in 1659 by the La Rochefoucauld family, who acquired it. An English-style park was added, and the watchtower became a belvedere for pleasure. Nobility, intellectuals and crowned heads took advantage of the site to stroll, stroll and, of course, admire the view. The duke and his daughter undertook extensive work to improve the estate, adding stables, verdant terraces and a small theater where Young and Condorcet enjoyed meeting.
You’ll also find a surprising troglodyte chapel and a dovecote carved into the rock. During your visit, you’ll discover a 3.8-hectare vegetable and fruit garden, one of the largest in the Paris region. With 600 fruit trees and a variety of plants, you’ll be amazed.
If you wander through the heart of the village, you’ll see that part of it is also troglodyte. It’s easy to see why the village of La Roche Guyon was awarded the title of “most beautiful village in France” a few years ago. An astonishing place to visit at least once!
📍Location: 1 rue de l’Audience 95780 La Roche-Guyon
Open daily, Monday October 27 to Sunday November 30