Oricourt castle

Château d’Oricourt, a true testament to medieval military architecture, is a must-see during your stay in Haute-Saône. Built in the 12th century, it is the best-preserved fortified castle in Franche-Comté and the only one of its kind in Haute-Saône.

Getting there

A strategic defence site

Overlooking the valley, Oricourt castle is strategically located. It was carefully chosen for its defensive advantages: the natural relief of the site provides a large part of the castle’s defences. At the time, the unobstructed view from the top of the towers meant that enemies could be spotted from afar. The imposing moat, which was designed to extract the first stones for the construction of the castle, is a further element of this defensive system.

More than eight centuries of architecture are laid out before your eyes.

A journey over time

Thanks to the meticulous attention of its current owners, Château d’Oricourt has retained its medieval character. Regular renovations, using the techniques of the time, ensure that the château remains a true witness to the past.

The current owners keep a close eye on Château d’Oricourt and regularly undertake renovations. It is thanks to these restorations, carried out using the techniques of the time, that the site has been able to retain its medieval appearance.

During your visit, you can admire the high courtyard, the main tower, the back tower, the turret, the former keep, the Rolin dwelling, the dovecote and even a trebuchet. The trebuchet welcomes you as soon as you arrive on the site, and although it is impressive, it is in fact only a small-scale replica. The real thing was around 4 times bigger and could fire cannonballs weighing over 100kg!

View of the medieval Château d'Oricourt from the inner courtyard, with a tower on the right, the vault marking the main entrance and the castral chapel - Vallée de l'Ognon — ©Château d'Oricourt |BothBetter

Stone detail of the medieval castle at Oricourt - Ognon Valley — ©Château d'Oricourt|Charlotte Mosca

Coat of arms of the Logis Rolin carved in stone - Vallée de l'Ognon — ©Château d'Oricourt|JP Cornevaux

Detail of the Rolin dwelling - Château d'Oricourt - Ognon Valley — ©Château d'Oricourt|JP Cornevaux

Look up and observe

In the upper courtyard, a Gothic façade, the remains of the castle’s finest residential building, can still be seen today. This building is thought to have been built at the end of the 15th century by a member of the Rolin family, who became owners of the château in the 15th century.

Upstairs, you can see the family coat of arms on the lintels of the mullioned windows. Next to it, a door decorated with an enigmatic face with a solemn mask could represent Nicolas Rolin or his son Guillaume.

The outer walls of the towers have suffered considerable damage over time. In 1992, the main tower was surrounded and preserved. The discovery of large stone balls inside it suggests that it was the target of violent attacks, capable of shaking its sturdy walls.

A visit of the most captivating

During your visit, let yourself be guided by the passionate – and fascinating – owner, who will tell you all about the castle’s history with thrilling anecdotes and humour. Take time to observe the architectural details and the coats of arms carved in the stone for an immersive dive into the castle’s history.