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The most beautiful castles of Provence
Palais des Papes (Popes’ Palace) in Avignon
In the words of Froissart, a 14th-century historian, the Palais des Papes is “the strongest and most beautiful house in the World”. It took fewer than 20 years to build, principally by order of two popes, Benoit XII and Clement VI. There are 25 rooms and areas open to visitors: great ceremonial halls that once hosted ceremonies and banquets, treasure rooms, terraces with breathtaking views, as well as chapels and private apartments decorated with frescoes of inestimable value, a testament to the innovativeness of the French and Italian schools of painting. The painted decorations of Saint Jean and Saint Martial chapels are attributed to the great Italian painter Matteo Giovannetti. The new Histopad multimedia tablet, an interactive, fun and user-friendly tool, offers you an enhanced experience of the palace, recreating the rooms in augmented reality so you can see them as they were at the time of the popes, complete with the decor and furniture of the time.
Château du Roi Renée in Tarascon
Built between 1400 and 1435, this castle served both military and residential functions. It’s an imposing symbol of the considerable power held by the Dukes of Anjou, counts of Provence and cousins of the King of France. The castle’s heyday came in the 15th century when the famous “artist prince”, King Renée (King of Naples, Sicily and Jerusalem), moved in and set himself up in full comfort, attracting the most cultured elites to his court: writers, painters, collectors and wealthy art dealers from all over Europe rubbed shoulders here in those days. There are more than 30 areas open to visitors, including the ceremonial halls, the former bedrooms of the princes and the remarkable collection in the apothecary house of the old hospital. The stunning panoramic view over the Rhone brings to mind a fantastic legend linked to the river, the story of Tarasque: Tarasque was a monster whose lair lay under the very rock the castle stands on.
Château des Baux de Provence
Drink in incredible views of the Alpilles and Camargue from the top of the medieval fortress’s rocky spur (“bau” means rocky escarpment in Provençal). Use your smartphone to scan the QR codes dotted around the site and meet Alix des Baux, a famous figure in the landmark’s history. Join Alix on a fun-filled interactive tour visiting the château’s must-see sites: Saint-Blaise Chapel, Quiqueran Hospital and its garden, the courtyards, Sarrasine Tower, Maison du Four communal oven, keep, troglodyte houses, castle chapel, “trou aux lièvres” (a sloping passageway to trap intruders), water cistern, dovecote and more.
