Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

Alphéran Castle, located north of Puyricard near Aix-en-Provence, is an unusual property in the region. Built in the early seventeenth century under the name of the domain of Sainte Croix, it was completed in 1724 by the family of Forbin des Issarts, an illustrious Provencal line. Its architecture, transformed over the centuries, reflects today a mixture of unusual styles in Provence.

Originally, the estate belonged to Jean-Baptiste Renaud de Forbin, seigneur of Sainte-Croix and black Musketeer. In 1724, Claude Alphéran de Bussan, anoublied for his services during the great plague, acquired it and renamed it in reference to his family. The Alpheran, like the Forbins, were among the Provencal elites, with figures like Paul Alpheran, Bishop of Malta and cultural patron.

The castle changed hands several times, passing from the Alphéran to the Ferry du Plantier, then to the Monléon, a noble family of Italian origin. Mathilde de Monléon, heiress in the 19th century, marked the local history by ceding land to Puyricard and preserving the estate. In 1909, an earthquake severely damaged the castle, resulting in reconstruction work by Henri Charlet, which added a tower and a balcony.

In the 20th century, the castle remained in the family of Roquefeuil after the marriage of Simone Charlet. Its history reflects alliances between Provencal nobles, Languedocians and Italians, as well as architectural transformations related to climatic hazards and family heritages. Today, the estate spans 30 hectares, witness to a heritage that is both intimate and linked to major regional events.

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