Château Villelaure

Introduction

Text-to-speech Audio

In Provence, there is no shortage of immaculate castles. But when one stumbles upon one that lay in near ruins, it creates room for one to imagine what once was. Referred to by a few names – such as Château Villelaure or Château Vieux – this "Old Castle" has seen tranquil farm life and ransacking during the religious wars since its construction during the 16th century. While the internal structural integrity is currently being restored, its exterior can be viewed up close via a nearby walking trail that cuts between the private property and surrounding vineyards.

Images

Château Villelaure from front (south), pointing left (west). Note the more complete watchtower in the distance in the more incomplete one in the foreground.

Defense fortifications added to the corning watchtowers of the castle.

Main "entrance" to the castle.

Southeast-facing corner of the castle pointing eastward.

Longer view of south-facing side of castle.

The collapse of the outer wall of the southeast watchtower enables visitors to see what the inside of the tower looks like.

Backstory and Context

Text-to-speech Audio

With construction beginning around the 1560s and ending around one decade later, Château Villelaure evolved from rural farm to palatial fortress in the face of rising religious tensions in southern France. A wealthy and established family from the area of Marseille oversaw the castle's construction.

Gaspard de Forbin – governor of the town and castle of Pertuis and son and grandson of two former mayors of Marseille – seems to be the one primarily responsible for committing the financial resources towards the castle's structural development. After the death of the Gaspard de Forbin, Melchoir de Forbin, marquis de Janson and baron of Villelaure, took charge of the construction project into the 1580s. By 1585, final fortification were strengthened. By 1586 construction was finished. And in 1587, debts from construction were paid off.

Sources claim "the castle was partly ransacked in 1590, during the wars of religion [Le château fut en partie saccagé en 1590, pendant les guerres de religion."

Sources

Vieux Château, Villelaure.fr. Accessed January 3rd 2021. http://villelaure.fr/content/vieux-ch%C3%A2teau.

Melchior de FORBIN, Geneanet. Accessed January 3rd 2021. https://gw.geneanet.org/pierfit?lang=fr&p=melchior&n=de+forbin&oc=2.

Nobility and Titles in France, Heraldica. June 18th 2008. Accessed January 3rd 2021. https://www.heraldica.org/topics/france/noblesse.htm.

Château-Vieux, also known as Château de la Reine-Laure (also in the town of Pertuis) in Villelaure, Momentum. December 22nd 2020. Accessed January 3rd 2021. https://monumentum.fr/chateau-vieux-dit-aussi-chateau-reine-laure-egalement-sur-commune-pertuis--pa00082209.html.

Image Sources(Click to expand)

William Kelly

Additional Information

Villelaure City Webpage