Roanne Castle

The Castle of Roanne, in Roanne

The Castle of Roanne is the vestige of a great castle fort whose construction began in the eleventh century. The Roanne audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this witness of the Middle Ages, last vestige of the seigniorial fortress around which the town developed.

The vestige of the seigniorial fortress

You have to imagine that some centuries ago there was here a great castle fort, whose construction began in the eleventh century. There remains today only the building that stands before us, last vestige of this imposing medieval fortress. The castle was the centre of the seigniorial power of Roanne, around which the town was organised and developed in the Middle Ages. Like numerous fortresses of this era, it ensured the protection of the town and its inhabitants, and symbolised the authority of the lords who reigned over the territory. Over the centuries, the castle lost its defensive function and was largely dismantled or destroyed, victim of the transformations of the town and of time, leaving subsist only this element. This vestige, precious witness of the medieval origins of Roanne, recalls the strategic importance of the town and its ancient history, well prior to its industrial rise. It invites to imagine the silhouette of the fortress that formerly dominated the town. A medieval vestige and a witness of the origins of the town, the Castle of Roanne is a fine stop of the discovery of the town.

What to see

Here you discover the last vestige of a great castle fort whose construction began in the eleventh century, centre of the seigniorial power around which Roanne developed in the Middle Ages; the fortress, which protected the town and symbolised the authority of the lords, was largely dismantled, and this subsisting building recalls the medieval origins of the town. The Castle of Roanne is a witness of its origins. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Castle of Roanne lies in the heart of the town, reachable on foot. You admire its vestige from the street; the interior access, according to the current use of the building, follows its own conditions, which vary. You discover it during a walk in the historic centre.

What remains of the Castle of Roanne?

There remains only a single building, last vestige of a great castle fort whose construction began in the eleventh century, centre of the seigniorial power around which Roanne developed in the Middle Ages; the fortress was largely dismantled over the centuries, and this vestige recalls the medieval origins of the town.

Where is the Castle of Roanne?

In the heart of Roanne, in France.