La Roche-Guyon : a castle in a cliff

On the right bank of the Seine river [1], half-way between Vetheuil and Giverny, the castle of La Roche-Guyon still keeps a watch over the French Vexin [2] [3].

The first building, entirely dug in the cliff, was totally hidden to the enemy. A dungeon [4], built in the late 12th century, was then linked to the castle by a secret underground passage (450 steps carved out of the cliff, some of them reaching a height of 30 cm) [5] leading also to a dovecote that sheltered more than 2000 pigeons. Surrounded by defensive walls on the plateau spur, the dungeon has lost two-thirds of its height.

In the early 14th century, the cliff is cut off to give place to the new castle [6], enlarged and renovated according to its various owners and uses : military or residential.

Dominated by England after the death of Guy VI de la Roche at Azincourt, La Roche-Guyon turns back French [7] [8] and welcomes many a King or great mind among whom the Duc de La Rochefoucault. In the 19th century, le Cardinal de Rohan hosts a great number of poets and writers.

During World War II, fieldmarshal Rommel and his staff stay there. The German army secretly installs blokhouses inside the cliff.

Exhibitions in the former stables [9] [10] and dreamful circuits lead the visitor through the castle of La Roche-Guyon, from the upper Middle-Ages till today.

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