Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of the Tower of Aigues, located in the Vaucluse, finds its origins in the 11th century with a first fortification mentioned under the name "Turris". This strategic site, controlled by the Counts of Forcalquier and then by the Sabran family in the 12th century, monitored the axes between Aix-en-Provence, Durance and Luberon. The seigneury, initially centered on a primitive tower, saw its medieval castle structure in the 15th century under the impulse of Fouquet d'Agoult, the chamberlain of King René, who added to it d'angle towers and a defensive system of moat fed by an ingenious hydraulic network.

In the 16th century, the castle underwent a major metamorphosis under Jean-Louis-Nicolas de Bouliers-Cental, which, inspired by its stay in Île-de-France, replaced the southern facade with a Renaissance masterpiece. The monumental portal with columns, the pavilions of the corner and the antique decorations transform the fortress into an aristocratic residence, welcoming even Catherine de Medici in 1579. The interiors, richly decorated, and the gardens (steer, parterres, palm play) reflect the fascination of the Provençal nobility.

The 17th century marked a new golden age with Christian war and Crequi-Lesdiguières, who added a dome to the dungeon and embellished the surroundings. In the 18th century, Bruny's family, passionate about art and science, set up prestigious collections and built the park (channel, labyrinth, earthenware). But in 1780, a fire devastated the north wing, followed in 1792 by a revolutionary looting: the castle, symbol of local tensions, burned for five days.

Abandoned in the 19th century, the castle served as a stone quarry before being saved in 1897 by the General Council of Vaucluse. Its restoration, begun in 1974, reveals 1,000 m2 of cellars transformed into museums (faience, local history) and revives the dungeon. Ranked a Historic Monument in 1984, it now houses exhibitions and festivals, combining heritage and cultural animation.

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