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Origin and history

The castle of Roquemaure, mentioned as early as 1209, was initially ceded by the Count of Toulouse Raymond VI to the Church to ease the tensions related to the Cathar heresy. In 1229, after the Treaty of Meaux-Paris, he became a royal possession under Saint-Louis, integrated on the senechal of Beaucaire-Nîmes. Its strategic position over the Rhône, between a port and a toll, made it a key place for the control of the river and the trade between Provence and Languedoc.

In the 13th century, the castle housed a permanent garrison and welcomed distinguished guests, including kings and royal officers. He owned a chapel inspired by the Sainte-Chapelle, built on the order of Saint-Louis. Pope Clement V was there in 1314 and died on 20 April, marking a major event in his history. The fortress, managed by a chestnut under the authority of the senechal, continued as a symbol of royal power until the wars of religion.

Between the 14th and 15th centuries, the castle became a temporary residence for political and religious figures, such as the Duke of Anjou (1367-1380), the Duke of Berry (1385), and King Charles VI (1389). These visits illustrate his role as a place of reception and representation. However, its decline began at the end of the 16th century: damaged during a siege in 1590-1591, it was partially dismantled in 1671 by royal order, then sold as national property between 1795 and 1850, eventually serving as a stone quarry.

The round tower, known as the "Carthaginians", is one of the few remaining remains. Joined the Historical Monuments in 1949, it bears witness to medieval defensive architecture with its vaulted hall and its murderers. The rosace arch key and massive lamp asses recall its royal origin. Despite its gradual destruction, the castle remains a symbol of the political and religious history of the region, linked to both the crown of France and the Church.

Beyond its military role, the Château de Roquemaure was a local economic actor, associated with the river port and the toll of the Rhône. Its decline coincided with the loss of strategic importance of the region after the annexation of Provence by France. Today, its ruins and round tower recall its glorious past, between royal power, papal visit and control of Rhodoan exchanges.

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