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All French heritage classified by regions, departments and cities

  2. Patrimoine
  3. Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur
  4. Vaucluse
  5. 84260 Sarrians

  6. Château de Tourreau

 Château de Tourreau à Sarrians dans le Vaucluse

Patrimoine classé
Patrimoine défensif
Demeure seigneuriale
Château
Vaucluse

Château de Tourreau

    Chemin de l'Estagnol
    84260 Sarrians
Photo de Château de Tourreau
Crédit photo : Marianne Casamance - Sous licence Creative Commons

Timeline

Renaissance
Temps modernes
Révolution/Empire
XIXe siècle
Époque contemporaine
1600
1700
1800
1900
2000
1612
Acquisition of the domain
1614
Construction of the chapel
1748-1779
Reconstruction of the castle
19 avril 1791
Pillows during the Revolution
1852
Family renovation Fees
1941
German requisition
12 février 1963
Historical Monument
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui

Heritage classified

Façade and roof including the small building housing the chapel, excluding the ground floor building located on the left of the main façade; tree alley linking the castle to the road; located behind the castle (cad. F 459, 631): entry by order of 12 February 1963

Key figures

Paul Tourreau - Founder of the domain Buyer in 1612, sponsor of the first castle.
François de Royers de la Valfrenière - Brother-in-law and collaborator Help with building the chapel in 1614.
François-Bénezet de Tourreau - Rebuilder of the castle Order the new castle in 1748.
Esprit-Joseph Brun - 18th century architect Designs the current castle between 1748 and 1752.
Étienne-Napoléon Cournaud - 19th Century Sculptor Makes sculptures for renovation.
Claude Bréart de Boisanger - Postwar restorer Rehabilitates the castle in the 1960s.

Origin and history

The Château de Tourreau came into being in 1612, when Paul Tourreau, a wealthy resident of Avignon, acquired an estate near Sarrians. He built a first castle and a chapel in 1614, with the help of his brother-in-law, François de Royers de la Valfrenière. These buildings mark the beginning of a long family history linked to this place.

In 1748 François-Bénezet de Tourreau, heir to the estate, decided to replace the original building with a new castle, designed by architect Esprit-Joseph Brun. The work lasted from 1748 to 1779, the year the chapel was completely redone, as evidenced by the engraved date above its entrance. This 18th century castle embodies the refined Provencal architecture of the period.

The French Revolution struck the castle in 1791: it was looted and partially burned. In the 19th century, the Fraiss family bought it and undertook important works, adding a two-storey wing with an octagonal tower and sculptures by Étienne-Napoleon Cournaud. The gardens are also redesigned in the English style, reflecting the tastes of the era.

During the Second World War, the estate was requisitioned by the Germans in 1941, suffering considerable damage. After decades of abandonment, it was restored in the 1960s by Claude Bréart de Boisanger, who added a basin and a memorial obelisk. Since then, the castle, classified as Historic Monument in 1963, houses a 5-star tourist furnished and hosts prestigious events.

Architecturally, the castle is distinguished by its two-storey house body, curved wings and stone elements of Villeneuve-lès-Avignon. The chapel, begun in 1614 and completed in 1779, houses murals and ex-votos. The area, partially protected, also includes a tree driveway and a historic parterre.

Today, the Château de Tourreau combines heritage and modernity, attracting visitors from all over the world for its exceptional Provencal setting, weddings and high-end accommodation. Its history, marked by periods of glory and decline, makes it a symbol of the resilience of French heritage.

External links

Page Wikipedia
Page Monumentum