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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Tallard originated in the 10th century under the protection of the princes of Orange, before being ceded in 1215 to the Hospitallers of the Order of St John of Jerusalem. The latter built a castelet, replaced in 1322 by a castle built by Arnaud de Trians, first lord of Tallard, after an exchange of land with Sicily. The present dungeon, now vented, and the house in restoration date from this period. In 1326 Tallard became a Viscount with the attachment of seven neighboring parishes.

In the 15th century, Bernardin de Clermont, descendant of Arnaud de Trians, married Anne de Husson, Countess of Tonnerre, allowing a major transformation of the castle. It adds a forecourt with a Guards room, a flamboyant gothic chapel, an entrance chestnut and a park, while embellishing the house with French marbles and ceilings. However, the Wars of Religion (from 1562) forced the Clermonts into exile for twenty years, leaving the castle coveted by François de Bonne, Duke of Lesdiguières, Protestant leader.

In 1600, Étienne de Bonne d'Auriac bought and restored the weakened fortress. His heir, Camille d'Hostun, Viscount and Marshal of France under Louis XIV, became its owner. The castle suffered a fire in 1692 during an attack by the Duke of Savoy, then was abandoned until 1897, the date of his redemption by historian Joseph Roman. In 1927, Countess Blanche of Clermont-Tonnerre saved him until his death in 1944. The town of Tallard acquired in 1957, initiating continuous restorations, notably by the Committee for the Protection of the Castle.

The castle, partially classified as a historic monument (chapelle in 1897, corps des Gardes in 1958, ruins in 1969), dominates the Durance with its round towers, its ruined rectangular dungeon, and its seigneurial house. Today, the works aim to make accessible the old press for cultural events, perpetuating its heritage role.

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