It is located approximately 58 km from Paris and 9 km from Giverny The present Château de La Roche-Guyon[4] was built in the 12th century, controlling a river crossing of the Seine, itself one of the routes to and from Normandy;[5] The Abbé Suger described its grim aspect: "At the summit of a steep promontory, dominating the bank of the great river Seine, rises a frightful castle without title to nobility, called La Roche.

He and his wife made great changes to the château-bas, opening windows in its structure and laying out the terrace to the east, partly cut into the mountain's steep slope.

The Château retained its medieval aspect of a fortress, with its moat and towers and cramped, dark living apartments.

When Turgot, the minister of Louis XVI, failed in his schemes for fundamental reforms in 1776, he retired to the Château briefly, as the guest of Louise Elisabeth Nicole de La Rochefoucauld, Duchesse d'Enville.

[citation needed] The castle is opened to the public and several events take place there (Fête des Fleurs, Salon du Vin etc.)