Château de la Roche stands on a rocky platform 30 metres above the Loire river in Saint-Priest-la-Roche, with written records dating to 1260 when it served as a fortified outpost for the County of Forez. Originally positioned to monitor traffic and collect tolls, the castle lost prominence in the 17th century due to repetitive flooding, gradually deteriorating into ruins by the late 19th century. An industrialist from Roanne acquired and restored it in Gothic style as a private residence, but the construction of the Villerest dam in the 1930s threatened its submersion, leaving the structure severely degraded. The commune purchased the château for one franc and completed comprehensive restoration in 1996, with the dam's water level subsequently revised downward to ensure year-round accessibility. Today it engages visitors through dramatized historical tours and interactive escape room experiences that bring its medieval heritage to life.
