Owner says name changed for marketing reasons
A chateau in Brittany formerly dubbed the “Breton Hogwarts” is operating under a new name, “Château des Sorciers” (Wizards’ Castle), after legal warnings from Warner Bros were dropped. The Château du Rocher-Portail in Maen-Roch (Ille-et-Vilaine), located between Rennes and Mont-Saint-Michel, hosts a wizard-themed immersive experience previously known as the “Nouvelle École des Sorciers” (New School of Wizards).
When it opened in 2022, Warner Bros sent legal correspondence to the chateau’s owners, alleging that the attraction closely resembled the Harry Potter universe, which Warner Bros owns and licenses. Owner Manuel Roussel said the name change marks the evolution of a concept rooted in Breton legends, not the end of a copyright saga. He told The Connexion that while warnings were sent in 2022, there are no ongoing disputes. “When we opened it was very stressful as we were receiving letters from Warner’s lawyers every two weeks,” he recalled. “But there has been no further action. The matter never went to court and it is closed.
“We changed the name for marketing reasons and to highlight that we are located in a listed 16th-century chateau,” he said, adding that the move helps distance the attraction from simple Harry-Potter-style comparisons. “The concept works well and visitors understand that it is not a copy-and-paste.”
Авторское резюме: Преобразование названия подчеркивает бренд‑ориентированность проекта, отделяя его от оригинального франшизы и акцентируя на местном легендарном контексте.
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