Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château de Saint-Martin-de-Pallières, located in the Haut-Var in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, is a building whose origins date back to the Middle Ages. First mentioned in 1055 as a castrum, it was then a quadrangular house flanked by round towers, built on a rocky promontory to protect the inhabitants from the insecurities of the time. In 1227, Boniface de Castelane paid tribute to him to the Count of Provence, confirming his strategic importance. The site, overlooking the Pallières plateau, becomes a place of refuge and local power.

In the 17th century, the castle passed into the hands of Pierre de Laurens, Counsellor at the Parliament of Provence, who undertook immense transformation work between 1604 and 1661. The fief was erected as a marquisat in 1661, marking its peak as a seigneurial residence. The amenities include building extension, 80 windows and 57 rooms, as well as structured gardens. The French-style park, planted in 1680 despite hostile soil, became a central part of the estate, with a majestic east-facing driveway.

The 18th century saw the addition of a monumental underground tank, nicknamed the "Underground Cathedral", built in 1747 to irrigate the gardens. With its 500 m2 and Gothic vaults supported by 20 pillars, it was the largest tank in Europe. The park, built in 1734, offers views of the Verdon, the Sainte-Victoire and the Ventoux, while a dovecote and communes complete the whole. In 1774, the castle entered the family of Boisgelin by marriage, which still preserves it today.

Degraded during the Revolution, the castle was restored and enlarged between 1862 and 1865, with the addition of a fourth tower and western facades. The successive owners, such as the families of Vintimille, Castellane, and d'Agout, marked its history. In the 19th century, the Ouvière surveyor redesigned the park, adding colonnades and balustrades. The private chapel houses a copy of the Assumption of the Virgin of Christophe Veyrier, whose original is today at the Museum of Fine Arts in Marseille.

Listed at the Supplementary Inventory of Historic Monuments in 2003, the castle and its park—recognized "Remarkable Garden"—exemplify the evolution of medieval fortresses into aristocratic residences. The estate, open to the public, hosts cultural events such as the festival "Les Concerts en Voûtes" in the cistern, whose acoustics is remarkable. The current owners, Diane and Michel de Boisgelin, have undertaken work to preserve and enhance this heritage, while adapting to contemporary uses.

External links