Logo Musée du Patrimoine

All French heritage classified by regions, departments and cities

Bastide, also known as Château de la Mignarde dans les Bouches-du-Rhône

Bastide, also known as Château de la Mignarde

    3591 Route des Pinchinats
    13100 Aix-en-Provence
Private property

Timeline

Temps modernes
Révolution/Empire
XIXe siècle
Époque contemporaine
1700
1800
1900
2000
vers 1670
Initial construction
1766
Transformation by Gabriel Mignard
décembre 1790
Arrest of Pascalis
1807 et 1813
Stays of Pauline Bonaparte
1850
Purchase by Émile Rigaud
1940-1945
Refuge of art works
12 octobre 1995
Historical monument classification
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui

Heritage classified

Bastide, as well as the orangery, the greenhouse, the entire park comprising the fence walls, the terraces, the retaining walls, the statues, the gates, the basins, the fountains and the hydraulic system, but with the exception of the farm and its cellar (cad. DT 95, 123 to 125): by order of 12 October 1995

Key figures

Gabriel Mignard - Confessor and governor of Provence Buyer and processor in 1766.
Sauveur Mignard - Confizer and son of Gabriel Inventor of "mignardises", renovator.
Jean Joseph Pierre Pascalis - Leader of the monarchy Hidden then stopped in 1790.
Pauline Bonaparte - Sister of Napoleon I Stayed in 1807 and 1813.
Émile Rigaud - Mayor of Aix-en-Provence (1849-1863) Owner from 1850.
Sabine Sechiari - Descendant of Émile Rigaud Current owner, site restorer.

Origin and history

The Bastide de la Mignarde, built around 1670 in Aix-en-Provence, is a typical example of Provencal aristocratic residences. Transformed in 1766 by the confectioner Gabriel Mignard, it became a refined home, with a French-style park. His son, Sauveur Mignard, added elements inspired by Italian villas, while perpetuating the family confectionery activity, famous for its "ignordises".

In 1790, the bastide housed Jean Joseph Pierre Pascalis, a monarchist sought during the Revolution, arrested after a riot. At the beginning of the 19th century, she welcomed Pauline Bonaparte, sister of Napoleon I, during her liaison with the Count of Forbin. Anecdotes about his stay, such as his donkey milk baths or his attempts to hunt frogs, mark the romantic history of the place.

Acquired in 1850 by Émile Rigaud, mayor of Aix-en-Provence, the bastide remained in his family until today. During World War II, it served as a refuge for art works. Ranked a historic monument in 1995, it is visited today, with its park, orangery and hydraulic system of the period, while the farm and its cellar, dating from the 19th century, are excluded.

The bastide is distinguished by its 27-window façade and living room decorated with Chinese wallpaper by hand. The garden, punctuated with ponds and sculptures, reflects the influence of classical gardens. In 1969, the site was listed in the "Pinchinat Valley", highlighting its landscape and heritage importance.

The recent restoration, supported by the association Vieilles Maisons Françaises, has preserved this testimony of Aixese history. Sabine Sechiari, descendant of Émile Rigaud, perpetuates the memory of the place through guided tours, while leading the Association of Bastides and Gardens of Provence and South-East.

External links