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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The castle of Barroux, located in the eponymous village of Vaucluse, is originally a medieval dungeon surrounded by walls, seigneurial seat of noble families such as the Baux or the Rovigliasc. In the 16th century, under the influence of the Renaissance, it was rebuilt and embellished, equipped with corner towers and door windows, becoming a refined residence while maintaining a defensive character. The Wars of Religion (1563) spared him despite his successive occupation by Huguenots and Catholics, without major damage.

From 1680 to 1690, the fortress was modernized according to the principles of Vauban: reinforced ramparts, fitted inner courtyard, and seven pieces of bronze artillery installed. The castle, then in excellent condition, however, suffered degradation in 1791 during the Revolution, when revolutionary troops burned seigneurial property and abandoned it. He then served as a stone quarry for 150 years, falling into ruins until the 1920s.

In 1929, André Vayson de Pradenne bought the ruins and undertook an almost complete reconstruction, interrupted by his accidental death in 1939. During the Second World War, the castle was occupied by the Germans, then burned in 1944 after a disregard for its use by the Resistance. The restorations resumed in the 1960s, carried by Dr Moulierac-Lamoureux, then by the association Les Amis du Château du Barroux (1983). Ranked a historic monument in 1963, it is now open to the public and hosts cultural events.

The site, registered in 1920, retains remarkable elements such as the 18th century murals in its chapel, classified in 1963. Its history reflects the political and military upheavals of Provence, from the wars of Religion to the Revolution, to the two world wars. Recent work (2020) aims to bring it into line with ERP standards to sustain its cultural and tourist use.

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