The first mention of the site of the Château de La Rochepot can be traced to 1128 A.D. and consists of a deed referring to its "newly constructed" chapel. However, flint implements discovered on the surrounding grounds indicated that this rocky site was inhabited during prehistoric times. The former presence of Gallo-Roman defences are also very likely.

Why has this steep crag been the location of all these successive structures? The answer could be in its strategic position, which guards the ancient route linking the North and the South of France. Once a prehistoric trail, during the Middle Ages it became the trade route over which pewter ware was transported.

The Château de La Rochepot was first built around 1180 by Alexander of Burgundy.
Destroyed by fire during the 13th century, the castle lords, including Louis of Savoy, decided to build a new castle. The old chapel, located on the rocky promontory overlooking the village, had survived the fire. The lords selected this as the new building site and chose to incorporate the chapel into the castle's construction plans. An extremely deep well, dug in the center of the courtyard, insured access to life essential element: water.

The Age of the Golden Fleece