Travel Guide Rochefort-En-Terre

Nestled on the southern slope of a rocky ridge and surrounded by deep valleys, the pretty commune of Rochefort-en-Terre was voted "Favorite Village of the French" in 2016, and it's easy to see why! By the early 20th century, the town was already attracting landscape gardeners and artists, including the American painter Alfred Klots, who fell in love with Rochefort-en-Terre, bought the ruins of the château and settled there. In 1911, he devised a competition for the most beautiful planter, and offered villagers the chance to shelter their plants during the winter in his château's greenhouse. The tradition lives on, and the competition still rewards the best-flowered homes and businesses every year. A two-hundred-year-old wisteria, in bloom in spring, covers the west facade of the town hall. Rochefort-en-Terre also boasts charming cobbled streets, half-timbered houses dating from the 16th and 17th centuries, and numerous craftsmen's and painters' workshops. It is also part of the "Petites Cités de caractère® " network, and has been awarded the "Plus Beau Village de France® " label since 2016.Rochefort-en-Terre's reputation is built on the preservation of its exceptional heritage: the old town and its large calvary, built in 1930; the Place des Halles, the town's economic hub since the 17th century; the communal washhouse dating from the 16th century; the church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Tronchaye, built between the 12th and 16th centuries and listed as a Monument Historique...The interior of the château, under renovation and owned by the commune since 2013, is not open to the public, but its grounds can be visited free of charge: you can stroll through the pretty gardens and admire the remains of the medieval fortress, as well as a main building constructed in the 20th century on the site of the 17th-century stables. Guided tours, an interactive guided tour and a free audio tour are available to help visitors better understand the history of the site. The château park also hosts a number of events, including a choral singing festival in early June, a pottery market in July, a medieval show in August and several exhibitions throughout the year. In addition, the fantastic Naïa Museum of Imaginary Arts is accessible from the park.