Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

Saze Castle, first mentioned in 1157, was partially destroyed in 1560 during the Wars of Religion. Reconstructed in a Renaissance style, it incorporates two bodies of L-shaped buildings, connected by a gallery open on two levels. The front door, dated 1589, is surmounted by a broken pediment carrying the weapons (now erased) of the family of Thezan, which rebuilt the building after the religious conflicts.

The building includes the choir of an ancient 12th century parish church, testifying to its medieval origin. In the 18th century, the family of Baroncelli Marquis de Javon made major changes: redevelopment of vaulted rooms, addition of stuccos, and construction of an axial gate overlooking the village fountain. The entrances to the lateral sheds, dated 1741 and 1785, complete this composite architectural heritage.

Ranked a Historic Monument in 2002, the castle now houses the town hall and the municipal library of Saze. Its restoration, completed in 2013, has highlighted remarkable elements such as the medieval abside, the Renaissance stairway tower, and fireplaces decorated with 18th-century stucco. The site thus illustrates nearly nine centuries of history, from religious conflicts to its present role in communal life.

The municipality of Saze, located in the Grand Avignon, is marked by a Mediterranean climate and an economy historically oriented towards viticulture. The castle, symbol of local power, reflects the social and architectural transformations of the region, from medieval lords to modern administration.

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