Construction of the bastide 1666-1667 (≈ 1667)
Origin of the current castle and estate.
1692
Existence of the shell cave
Existence of the shell cave 1692 (≈ 1692)
First documented mention of the decor.
1732
Rear-fief erection
Rear-fief erection 1732 (≈ 1732)
By the Archbishop of Aix, Lord of Puy.
XIXe siècle
Expansion of the domain
Expansion of the domain XIXe siècle (≈ 1865)
Addition of buildings and factories to the west.
vers 1875
Chapel decoration
Chapel decoration vers 1875 (≈ 1875)
Glass and paintings added to the chapel.
15 décembre 2011
Historical monument classification
Historical monument classification 15 décembre 2011 (≈ 2011)
Protection of the estate, castle and park.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The estate, castle, park and outbuildings, with the exception of the interior of the old farm (case F 126, 127, 695, 697, 712, 815, placed the Arnajons): classification by order of 15 December 2011
Key figures
Archevêque d'Aix (1732) - Lord of Puy
Build the estate in the backfire.
Marie de Solliers - Character represented in a stained glass window
Historical figure linked to the chapel.
Origin and history
The Domaine d'Arnajon, also known as Château d'Arnajon, is a bastide built between 1666 and 1667, located at Puy-Sainte-Reparade in the Bouches-du-Rhône. The estate includes, in addition to the castle, a park decorated with a nymphée decorated with shells, a pigeon house, an artificial cave, French-style gardens, ponds and fountains. These elements, as well as the castle itself, have been protected as historical monuments since a decree of 15 December 2011. The site, although private property, is visited on request via the Tourist Office of Aix-en-Provence.
In 1732, the estate was erected as a rear-fief by the archbishop of Aix, then lord of Puy. The archives mention at that time a house, a dovecote, a cooler, a courtyard, a garden, a meadow and land. The bastide, dated 1666-1667, has its park and nymph between the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The shell cave, on the other hand, has been attested since 1692. In the 19th century, the estate extended with utility buildings and factories west of the park, including a chapel decorated with stained glass and paintings around 1875.
The castle, rectangular, has a ground floor, two square floors, a top and vaulted cellars in a cradle. To the west, the chapel, accessible from the court of honour by a sacristy, houses a stained glass window depicting Marie de Solliers and her mother. Interior preserves 18th century wallpapers, including a revolutionary coq pattern on the second floor. The estate also includes an 18th-century orangery, a vegetable garden, a large pond, and two entrance pavilions: one serving as a guard house, the other as a pigeon tree with its original mechanism (central swivel post and rotating ladder). The nymph, octagonal, is decorated with cariatides and peripheral niches.
Ranked historic monument in 2011, the estate opens to the public during organized visits, with 40 days of annual opening for individuals and year-round access for groups. Two guest rooms are also available. The site remains a private property, managed in connection with the Tourist Office of Aix-en-Provence, and its history is documented through sources such as the Merimée base or TV shows such as Roots and wings.
