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Origin and history

The castle of the Napoule came into being in the 9th century under the name of Avignonet, a castrum dependent on the bishops of Fréjus and Antibes. In the 12th century, a castle was built on Mount San Peyre, while seigneurial rights were divided between the abbey of Lérins and the chapter of Grasse. The first mention of the name La Napoule appears in 1134 in an act of donation. The site, strategic, becomes an issue between religious and lay powers, with the construction of a Saint Peter's church and successive fortifications.

In the 14th century, the seigneury passed to the family of Villeneuve-Tourettes, who rebuilt the castle after its destruction in 1387 by Raimond de Turenne. Guillaume de Villeneuve, married to Agnes de Castellane, is credited with the building of a new castle, while the priory of Sainte-Marie is restored by the abbey of Lérins. Conflicts persisted: in 1415, a tower was allowed to strengthen defences, and in 1459 Antoine de Villeneuve-Tourettes founded a new city to relocate the inhabitants after pirated attacks. The castle, with four towers, resisted Savoyard assaults in 1589-1590, but the city declined.

In the 18th century, the seigneury changed hands: sold in 1719 to Dominique de Montgrand, it was looted during the Revolution. The castle was transformed into a glass factory in 1837 and was partially destroyed. In 1918, the American couple Henry and Marie Clews acquired it and restored it in a fantastic neo-medieval style, adding sculptural elements and remarkable labeled gardens. Since 1951, the site has been home to an artistic foundation, continuing its cultural heritage.

The castle, inscribed in the historical monuments in 1947, illustrates a unique architectural stratigraphy, mixing medieval remains, Renaissance reconstructions and 20th century creations. Its park, designed by Marie Clews, includes theme gardens (La Mancha, sea terraces) and picturesque factories. During the Second World War, a German blockhouse was erected there (1943), before being demolished in 1950. Today, the place combines heritage and contemporary creation.

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