The Renaissance facade built over a 15th-century fortress

You can still see parts of the older structure where the medieval fortress was modified to make room for a new style. In the early 16th century, the baron Jean-Louis-Nicolas de Bouliers set out to modernize and embellish his Provençal home. Having spent part of his youth in the Île-de-France in the service of the famous Montmorency family, he returned with a vision to transform the estate.

He did not just renovate; he demolished the entire southern part of the medieval building to create a magnificent Renaissance facade. This new construction features two corner pavilions and a triumphal portal with columns and an antique-style fronton. To create harmony with this new addition, the rear of the building - including the old donjon - was "clothed" in Renaissance-style cladding. The works lasted until 1571.

There is a complex history here. Before the Renaissance makeover, a significant fortress was built around 1420 by Foulque d’Agoult. He realized major hydraulic works to bring water from sources in the Luberon foothills to the castle via two ponds, including the Bonde pond, to feed the moats. An inventory from 1491 notes that this medieval castle was sumptuously decorated and furnished.

Today, the building stands as a premier example of Renaissance art in Provence, having even hosted Catherine de Médicis in 1579. If you visit, you can still explore the caves to see the remains of the older walls that were set back from the current facade. It is a remarkable example of how a medieval stronghold was transformed into a stately Renaissance residence.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons