The town of Rochefort-en-Yvelines, currently known for the Château de Porgès, also preserves the ruins of a much older building.
When we talk about the castle of Rochefort-en-Yvelines, it’s not really this one that we think of first. This “little gem” for a long time gone unnoticed, seems, day by day, to regain a little of its splendor and its history.
Of this feudal castle, only the ruins remain. For five years, the Rochefort-en-Yvelines Historical Society (SHR) has been working to clear it of its overvegetation in an attempt to see its remains.
“For decades, the site remained abandoned,” remarks Christian Bou, historian and archaeologist, president of the SHR and also municipal councilor in charge of the site, trying to make his way between the old stones covered with ivy. Having passed into the hands of private owners, the site was finally acquired by the municipality a few years ago.
Backtracking
To understand the place, a little history lesson is required. “The first written traces that we have date from the year 1042. The fishbone construction is faithful to the period between the 8th and 12th centuries,” he analyzes.
“This fortified castle was built when Gui de Monthléry returned from the crusade,” said the Red. He was the seneschal of King Philip I and Count of Rochefort. Triumphant above the village, the castle dominated the Rémarde valley, he slips on a wave of words. It was a real place of life and protection, ideally located to control the road to Chartres. It was badly damaged after the Hundred Years’ War. The fortress had to be abandoned in the end. »
“Before this work was undertaken, even the residents had no idea that there was a castle here. All that was commonly known was that there were stones. »
Christian Bou (empty)
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Since the studies carried out in the 1980s, “we have doubled the surface area of the castle. Today we are on an area of almost 4,000 m². »
Among these remains, we can still make out “part of the enclosure, the main gate, a postern gate”. If archives exist, they are very meager.
Clearing and discoveries
“Archaeological excavations will allow us to find out more. » To carry them out, the site must be cleared of these brambles “several meters high. » This is where, during the summer, “a clearing campaign undertaken with the Études et Chantiers association took place, in partnership with the Regional Natural Park (PNR) of the upper Chevreuse valley. »
Many projects soon to be launched in Rochefort-en-Yvelines, as part of the “Village of the Future” system
Volunteers from all over the world came here to freshen up the place and make new discoveries. New paths and new stones were discovered.
“The vegetation regains its rights very quickly, it must be maintained regularly. We still want to preserve the wild side and not go beyond clearing. In spring, the lilac is in bloom and gives a very bucolic appearance to the place. »
Christian Bou (empty)
This work will continue next summer, still using this same participatory construction site model.
In parallel with this clearing, the association, subsidized by the Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs (Drac) and by the PNR, carried out a geographical survey of the soil. This structural study of the site established using laser remote sensing is called Lidar and is carried out by drone. A first “non-invasive” approach, which gives a more precise inventory seen from the sky.
These results obtained are deciphered and observed precisely, opening the way to a new series of investigations. And then, from this survey, we will be able to consolidate our scientific project,” maintains the historian, “before launching excavations. I hope that by 2026 we can start. It’s really a very nice playground. It could be that the Gui le Rouge castle is the first stone one in the Île-de-France region. »
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