Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

In the 17th century, Avignon's castle came into being with the construction of a mas, known as "de Sommeyre", on an alluvial island of Petit-Rhône. In 1720, Joan of Arlatan acquired the property, which was transformed into a castle by her son, Joseph François of Avignon of Arlatan, thus constituting the first perimeter of the estate. The latter remained in the family until 1803, before passing into the hands of various owners, including General de Miollis in 1811, who carried out works there.

In the 19th century, the estate became the heart of ambitious agricultural projects led by companies such as the Château d'Avignon Civil Society or Liechtenstein Westphall. Despite massive investments to dry up and cultivate the land, these initiatives failed partially, leading to division of the estate. In 1893 Louis Prat-Noilly, heir to Noilly Prat, bought the castle and undertook a complete restructuring, combining technical modernity and architectural luxury.

Louis Prat-Noilly uses the architect Auguste Véran to refurbish the castle and the cabinetmaker Achille Blanqui for its interior decorations, while engineer Pierre Goubert designs an innovative hydraulic system. The estate, equipped with electricity, central heating and a drinking water system as early as 1895, embodies the ideal hygienist and technological of the late nineteenth century. Dependencies, such as boiler room or pumping station, illustrate this fusion between aesthetics and functionality.

The castle and its park, classified as Historical Monuments in 2003, reflect a systemic organization where each element — from the rubines to the winning machines at universal exhibitions — serves as an integrated project. After Louis Prat's death in 1932, the estate passed to his heirs before being acquired in 1984 by the General Council of Bouches-du-Rhône. Today, it hosts artistic exhibitions and cultural events, perpetuating its role as a place of heritage and innovation.

The domain of the Château d'Avignon is distinguished by its technical heritage, including a still functional Dumont pump, a reinforced concrete water castle, and avant-garde domestic equipment (Porcher baths, Fascio stove). These innovations, coupled with a sumptuous interior decor, make the site a unique testimony of the alliance between industrial progress and bourgeois art of living at the Belle Époque.

Since its opening to the public, the estate offers free tours and temporary exhibitions, highlighting its history and its Camargue environment. Contemporary artists find a source of inspiration, as evidenced by the biennials and festivals organized on site, such as the South of Arles or Envies Rhônements.

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