Origin and history
The château de Gourdon, located in the Alpes-Maritimes at 758 meters above sea level, is a fortified building dating back to the 9th century, during the Saracen occupation. Built on a rocky spur, this first fortress served as a refuge and surveillance post against invasions. In the 12th century, the Counts of Provence, organizing the defense of their border against the county of Vintimille, built a strong place on these foundations, transforming "Gordon" into an inexpugable bastion with three round towers and a northern wall. The village, backed by rock, used relief as a natural bulwark, reinforced by walls pierced by murderers.
Over the centuries, the castle changed hands: from the Counts of Provence (until 1235) to the families of Grasse-Bar, Villeneuve-Flayosc, then Borriglione d'Aspremont, it was acquired in 1597 by Louis de Lombard, a fatty lawyer. The latter, supported by Henry IV for his services during the Wars of Religion, undertook a major transformation of the castle in the seventeenth century. Inspired by Place des Vosges, he added arcades (1610) and a first floor, while his son François finished the second floor in 1653. The castle, damaged during religious conflicts, then became a seigneurial residence while retaining its defensive role, as evidenced by gargoyles, murderous towers and partially demolished during the Revolution.
The 19th century marked a turning point with the abandonment of its military function. The last heir of the Lombards, John Paul II, bequeathed the castle in 1820 to his nephew, the Marquis de Villeneuve-Bargemon. In 1918, it was sold to an American woman, Miss Mae Noris, who restored it and installed a museum there in 1938, bringing together medieval furniture and works of art. Occupied by Germans during World War II, the castle reopened to the public in 1950 before being closed in 2015. Today, it is a private property and embodies an architectural heritage combining Middle Ages, Renaissance and classicism, with terraced gardens inspired by Le Nôtre and richly decorated interiors (guard room, chapel, company lounge).
The building, registered to the Historic Monuments in 1972, is distinguished by its grey stone facades, genoese roofs, and terraces offering stunning views of the Loup Valley. The basements are home to a prison and a medieval kitchen, while the floors display weapons collections (persanes, Afghans), naive paintings, and antique furniture. The gardens, including that of the Apothecary created in 1970, reflect the medieval and landscaped heritage of the site. The castle thus illustrates the evolution of a strong place in a seigneurial residence, then in a cultural place, while preserving the traces of its warrior past.
Among the notable events, the castle resisted Charles Quint's assaults and served as a refuge during the Wars of Religion. In 1643 his lord, François de Lombard, was distinguished by the Grand Condé for his bravery at the Battle of Rocroi. During the Revolution, his owner, John Paul I of Lombard, avoided his destruction thanks to his liberal ideas. In the 20th century, Miss Noris's commitment allowed the site to be preserved and embellished before its acquisition by the Negro family in 1997. Closed to the public since 2015, the castle remains a symbol of historical Provence, combining military strategy, noble architecture and artistic heritage.
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