Our story
A castle on the edge of history
For over a thousand years, the Château de La Roche-Guyon has stood guard over the Seine. Originally a fortress against Viking incursions, in 911 it became a major strategic point during the Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte, marking the border between the Kingdom of the Franks and the nascent Normandy. Over the centuries, it lived through the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, welcoming Henry IV, then the 18th century Enlightenment, a period of intellectual and cultural heyday. History, however, never spares places of remembrance. In the 20th century, during World War II, the castle was occupied by the German high command. Paradoxically, it became a symbol of moral resistance and courage, engraved in the struggle against Nazi barbarism and in the collective memory of the nation.
One family, one policy
The castle's destiny is closely linked to that of the La Rochefoucauld family, whom it encountered more than 650 years ago, sealing a lasting alliance between a lineage and a territory. Their motto, « C’est mon plaisir », expresses a constant commitment: to serve the King and help the most disadvantaged. In the 18th century, the castle reached its peak. Under the impetus of enlightened figures, notably the Duchess of Enville, La Roche-Guyon became a major intellectual center where philosophers, scientists, and writers gathered to reflect on progress, justice, and the future of France.
Rebuilding to pass on
After thirty years of neglect, Guy-Antoine and Yolaine de La Rochefoucauld undertook a vast project to rebuild and restore the château. Driven by their commitment and thanks to the decisive support of the Val-d'Oise Department, they brought La Roche-Guyon back to life. Restored to the highest standards, the château reopened its doors to the public and fully regained its purpose: to be a living, open place, shared and passed on to future generations.
From History to Creation
It was in this spirit that the La Roche-Guyon Distillery was born. When Louis-Antoine de La Rochefoucauld took over responsibility for the château from his father, he chose to extend its thousand-year history with a creative gesture: creating spirits that express a region, a memory, and values passed down from generation to generation.
The Distillery was founded in 2021, following two challenging years of health crisis for the château. It was born out of a clear desire to promote the heritage and reveal the riches of the La Roche-Guyon terroir in a different way, starting with its extraordinary fruit garden, a veritable plant laboratory and source of inspiration for the house's creations.
