Château de la Rochepot

Château de La Rochepot is a 12th-century feudal castle of neo-Gothic-Burgundian style, rebuilt in the 15th century. In the 19th century, it was completely restored and covered with glazed burgundy tiles; it lies in the commune of La Rochepot, in the Côte-d'Or department, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Region.

History
The feudal castle La Rochepot was built in 1180 on the ruins of the chateau burnt down in the 11th century. The chateau belonged to seigneur de Montagu Alexander of Burgundy (1170-1205) (son of Hugh III, Duke of Burgundy). Nowadays, these ruins are located in the nearby forest.

In 1403, having returned from the crusade, seigneur Régnier Pot (Chamberlain to the Duke of Burgundy, Philip the Bold and Knight of the Golden Fleece) bought the chateau, which back then was called Château de La Roche Nolay. He renamed it after his name and transferred it to his son, seigneur Jacques Pot, who, in his turn, transferred it to his son, seigneur Philippe Pot.

After seigneur Régnier Pot bought the castle, Pinot noir grapes started being planted in its vicinity – as application of the Decree of Philip the Bold of 1395.

In the 16th century, Marshal of France Anne de Montmorency became the owner of the castle (who possessed more than 130 castles).

In the 17th century, Jean François Paul de Gondi, the Cardinal de Retz, inherited the castle, and, in 1644 he sold it to the cavalier and first President of the Parliament of Burgundy Pierre Legoux de la Berchère.

Joseph Blancheton was the last lord of the castle.

In 1789, during the French revolution, castle was renamed Château de La Roche Fidèle, declared a national property, and afterwards was partially destroyed by vandals. Left without the keep, the domain passed from hand to hand.

In 1893, Cécile Carnot (the wife of Sadi Carnot, President of the Republic) purchased the ruins and offered them as a gift to her eldest son, Infantry Colonel Sadi Carnot (1865-1948), who during 26 years carried out the great and meticulous historical restoration in the spirit of the 15th century.

In 2013, some parts of the castle were acknowledged as the regional historical monuments. In 2014, annex buildings, vineyards and the park were given the status of the national monument .

At the present day, the castle still belongs to the descendants of the Carnot family. It is open to visitors.