Ruines du château féodale au cœur de la forêtVercors Drôme Tourist Office
chemin en forêtVercors Drôme Tourist Office
Ruines du château féodalVercors Drôme Tourist Office
Chemin en forêtVercors Drôme Tourist Office
Eglise de Rochechinard et montagne du RoyansVercors Drôme Tourist Office

Description

A family walk offering a magnificent panorama upon arrival at the castle ruins.

In a few kilometers, part of which is undergrowth, imagine for a moment in the Middle Ages, when the castle, now in ruins, defended the entrance to Royans!

The castle stands on a rocky platform, partially visible due to the vegetation that has grown denser over the years. In 1340, Rochechinard was sold to Aymard I Alleman de Beauvoir, a great servant and foster brother of the last Dauphin, Humber II. The vast majority of the buildings were probably constructed between 1420 and 1482. Its primary function was likely to defend the access routes to the Royans region. In 1547, the Alleman family ceded their fief of Rochechinard to Claude Mosnier, the Master of the Mint of Romans. During the Wars of Religion, he distinguished himself by making his castle an island of Catholic resistance. During the 17th century, the castle was abandoned and gradually fell into disrepair. Today, the castle ruins are not open to the public as they are located on private property.

A water source is located in the parking lot of the Rochechinard House-Museum.

Delicate passage

The castle ruins are private property, do not enter.

Updated on 07/09/2026 - Report a change: info@vercorsdrome.com

Step-by-step itinerary

1

From the car park of the Maison-Musée de Rochechinard, take the direction Le Château . Take the path which also serves as part of the Grande Traversée du Vercors on foot passing through Roches Corbières (alt. 550m) then Les Cartelats (alt. 595m).

2

At the castle ruins, after admiring the view, continue towards Rochechinard museum along a pretty little path through the boxwood to reach Les Côtes (alt. 547m) . (The GTV continues north towards Saint Nazaire-en-Royans, while the GRP des Monts du Matin arrives from the same village).

3

From there, descend to Bois Savoyard (alt.524m) and turn right to return by road to the museum parking lot, the starting point of the hike.

What comes next?