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Château de Saint-André dans les Alpes-Maritimes

Patrimoine classé
Patrimoine défensif
Demeure seigneuriale
Château
Alpes-Maritimes

Château de Saint-André

    Montée Marius
    06730 Saint-André

Timeline

Haut Moyen Âge
Moyen Âge central
Bas Moyen Âge
Renaissance
Temps modernes
Révolution/Empire
XIXe siècle
Époque contemporaine
1000
1400
1500
1600
1700
1800
1900
2000
9 décembre 999
First mention of Saint-André
1441
Possession of Chabaud
1555
Marriage Michelotti-Chabaud
1624
First mention of the castle
1862
Sale at the Saint-Paul Hospice
10 juin 1975
Historical monument classification
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui

Key figures

Odile - Medieval donor Bequeaths a property at Saint-Pons Abbey in 999.
Raybaud Chabaud - Lord of Tourettes Owner of the fief in 1441.
Melchior Michelotti - Noble Piedmontese Acquire fief by marriage in 1555.
Pierre Thaon - Heir of the fief Wife Camilla Michelotti in 1606.
Charles Antoine Thaon - Beneficiary of donation Receive the castle under conditions in 1624.
Marc'Antonio Grigho - Baroque architect Probable inspiration for the chapel.

Origin and history

The Château de Saint-André, located in Saint-André-de-la-Roche (Alpes-Maritimes), was first mentioned in 1624 in an act of donation. Originally, it was a strong house designed to monitor the gorges of the Paillon, as evidenced by the gunfire still visible. Turned into a villa in the 17th century after losing its military role, it has a rich Baroque decoration, including decorated ceilings and frescoes dated 1775, sometimes attributed without proof to the Galliari brothers or Abraham Van Loo.

The estate originally belonged to the Chabaud family, then passed to the Michelotti by marriage in 1555. In 1606, Pierre Thaon, heir by his union with Camilla Michelotti, became owner of the fief of Saint-André. The Thaon de Revel family, faithful to Savoie's house, used the castle as a residence during their stay in Nice County. After hand changes in the 19th century, including a sale to St Paul's Hospice in 1862, the castle was finally acquired by the Emmaus Companions.

Architecturally, the castle consists of three parts: an old strong house in the east, a Baroque chapel in the west inspired by the works of Marc'Antonio Grigho, and a loggia connecting the two buildings, built after 1725. Ranked a historic monument in 1975 for its facades, roofs, and interior decorations (including a mythological salon and a cupola with arabesque), it illustrates the evolution of a medieval fortress in aristocratic residence.

The site was listed and classified on June 10, 1975, recognizing its heritage value. Today owned by an association, it retains traces of its military past and its baroque golden age, while at the same time testifying to the historical links between Nice County and Savoyard Piedmont.

Historical research, notably by Jean-Loup Fontana and Simonetta Tombaccini, highlights the importance of the Thaon de Revel in the history of the castle. Their final departure for Turin after annexation from Nice to France in 1860 marked the end of its use as a noble residence, opening the way for various uses before its present preservation.

External links