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Origin and history

The white tower of Arras-sur-Rhône is a vestige of the medieval castle that protected the village and controlled access to the Rhône. In the feudal era, this castle was divided into two co-seigneuries: the white tower (the so-called "of Soubise") and the brown tower (the so-called "of Jovyac"). The site, strategic, could have served as a public treasure in the Roman era to finance legions, although this hypothesis remains uncertain. Today, the 28-metre high tower is accessible via a hiking trail from the village.

The castle of Arras was integrated into a regional defensive network, typical of feudal fortifications in Ardèche. The only remaining white tower symbolizes this military past. A reading table at its foot allows visitors to understand its history. The monument, a communal property, was inscribed in the Historic Monuments on May 31, 1927, recognizing its heritage value.

The building illustrates Rhodanian defensive architecture, where castles played a key role in the protection of riverways and local populations. Its present state, though partial, offers a testimony of medieval construction techniques in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Available sources (Wikipedia, Merimée base) confirm its historical importance, despite the lack of details about its occupants or subsequent modifications.

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