Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

Castile Castle, located in Argilliers in the Gard, is originally a 17th century bastide. It was deeply transformed at the end of the 18th century by Gabriel-Joseph de Froment, Baron de Castille, who added neoclassical elements inspired by his travels to Italy, such as colonnades and factories adorning an English park. The Baron, passionate about architecture, erected monopterous temples, kiosks and cenotaphs, creating an eclectic landscaped ensemble reflecting his aesthetic tastes and European travels.

In 1794, the castle was looted and the library burned during the Revolution, while the Baron was imprisoned. Released after Thermidor, he spent the following decades restoring his estate, adding columns and factories until 1815. After his death in 1826, the park fell into ruins, and some of the factories were sold or disappeared. The castle changed hands in the 20th century: bought in 1924 by Paul Grusset, then in 1950 by Douglas Cooper, who installed a collection of modern art and invited Pablo Picasso to create temporary works.

Ranked a historical monument in 1983 for its ancient facades, roofs, colonnades and decorations, the Castle of Castilla is a testament to the neoclassical influences and picturesque gardens of the eighteenth century. Its successive restoration campaigns, notably from 1962 onwards, aim to preserve this unique architectural and landscape heritage, although some factories have disappeared. Today, the field remains a remarkable example of post-revolutionary artistic eclecticism in Languedoc.

The Baron de Castille, a central figure in the history of the castle, was a scholar, a member of Masonic lodges and learned societies such as the Nine Sisters or the Harmony of France. His correspondence with the Countess of Albany and his writings reveal a fascination for ancient columns and architectures, inspiring the transformations of the castle. Its architectural heritage, marked by references to Rome, Pompeii and even Saint Peter's Square, makes it a site at the crossroads of European artistic currents.

Argilliers, a rural commune in the Gardon Gorges in Occitanie, is marked by a Mediterranean climate and a rich historical heritage, including also the Nîmes waterworks. Castilla Castle, with its park and factories, illustrates the evolution of aristocratic tastes between Enlightenment and Restoration, while reflecting the political upheavals of the Revolution. Its classification and restorations underline its importance in the regional heritage.

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