Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Aiguines was built in the early 17th century by Balthazar de Gauthier, a member of a family probably influential in the region. The building, characteristic of the period, reflected the architectural canons of Provencal seigneurial residences, mixing residual defensive function and aristocratic comfort. The archives do not specify the exact reasons for its construction, but its strategic location near Lake St. Croix suggests a role both residential and symbolic in the local landscape.

In the mid-18th century, the castle underwent major transformations, marked by the development of a terraced garden and the addition of a fountain dated 1770. These changes illustrate the evolution of tastes towards a more decorated and landscaped living environment, typical of the Enlightenment century. The facades and roofs, as well as the gardens, were later protected by decrees of 1993 and 1995, highlighting their heritage value.

Today, the castle belongs to a private company. Although the sources do not detail its current use (visits, events, accommodation), its conservation and location make it a major historical landmark of the Var. The protected elements include commons, terraces and their components, testifying to a coherent architectural and landscaped ensemble for nearly four centuries.

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