LES ORIGINES~900 – La fondation
The Château de Roche was built during the 10th century – a fortified castle situated between an important road and the river Loue.1080 – Étiennette, Comtesse de Bourgogne
Wife of Count William of Burgundy and mother of Pope Callistus II. The château was a strategic defense position for William the Great.1240 – Jean de Chalon
Count of Chalon, Lord of Salins, known as le Sage – who extended his power from Salins to Besançon, Dôle, Pontarlier and Switzerland.1266 – Guy de Rans
Receives the seigneury of Roche en Valouais from his father Richard III de Chay.1326 – Alliance Roche–Darbonnay
Catherine de Roche marries Matthieu de Darbonnay. The château remained in their lineage for over a century.
LES SEIGNEURS1537 – Jean de Poupet
Becomes Lord of Roche. On his death, the seigneury passes to his brother Guillaume, abbot of Baume.1584 – Andremont de Pracontal
The château passes to the Pracontal family after the death of Guillaume de Poupet.1638 – Château Rouillaud détruit
The western fortress destroyed by fire – leaving the Château de Roche as the sole stronghold of the domain.1664 – Ferdinand de Rye
Marquis de Varambon and governor of Burgundy acquires the seigneury.
LE MARQUISAT1667 – Famille de Brun
Brothers Philippe Félicien and Claude Ferdinand de Brun acquire and modernize the château.1694 – Le Marquisat de Roche
The de Brun family obtains the title of Marquisate.1756 – La grande reconstruction
The Marquis de Grammont rebuilds the château between two square towers with an imperial roof. Terraces, gardens, and a fountain with waterjet are created – with boxed orange trees returned each winter to the orangery, in the fashion of Versailles.1775 – La Saline Royale
The Royal Saltworks designed by Claude-Nicolas Ledoux is built nearby – the first large-scale realisation of industrial architecture reflecting the ideals of the Enlightenment.1779 – Vente au Roi
Baron de Lannans, heir of Grammont, sells the land, château, and many properties to the Royal Court for the construction of the Saline.1783 – Nouveaux propriétaires
The families of Jouffroy, Renouard de Bussière and Bovet take successive ownership.
L'ÈRE MODERNE1864 – Famille Caron
Amédée Caron transforms the château and establishes logging, a sawmill, carpentry, and dairy operations. Over a hundred locals were employed at the château.1870 – Guerre franco-prussienne
The castle is requisitioned during the Franco-Prussian War for the staff of Prussian general Edwin von Manteuffel.1940 – Seconde Guerre mondiale
German soldiers occupy the castle. Arc-et-Senans serves as a transit and internment point for 200 Romani people.1972 – Fondation Claude Nicolas Ledoux
An international centre for reflection upon the future, hosted at the Saline Royale with the support of major French companies.1974 – Monument Historique
Facades, roofs, and the terrace with its 18th-century retaining wall are placed under state protection.1988 – Esther Greiner-Gugelmann
New proprietors from the Greiner family.2006 – Reto Erdin
Swiss notary and banker acquires the property.2013 – Famille Van Eeden
The Van Eeden family becomes the current stewards of the Château de Roche.