Château of Vauvenargues

The Château of Vauvenargues is a strong, old building in the village of Vauvenargues, just north of Montagne Sainte-Victoire and close to the town of Aix-en-Provence in southern France. People have lived on this spot since Roman times. Over many years, it was an important place for leaders of Provence and later for church leaders from Aix.

In the 1600s, the château took its current shape when it became a home for a noble family called the marquis de Vauvenargues. After big changes in France during the French Revolution, a new family, the Isoards, bought it. They added special decorations, like a painted face of an old ruler named René of Anjou and a small holy place for St Severin.

In 1929, the château was named a protected historic site. During World War II, some of its treasures were taken away. Then, in 1958, the famous artist Pablo Picasso bought the château. He used it as a quiet place to work until 1962. Today, Picasso and his wife Jacqueline are buried there, and the château still belongs to Picasso’s family. Their grave has a special large sculpture on top.

History of chateau

The Château of Vauvenargues sits on a rocky hill that rises 440 meters above a narrow gorge of the river Cose. During the time of the Romans, when the area was called "Vallis Veranica," there was a fort there. Later, a medieval castle was built on the same spot. One big room with very thick walls, from this time, still remains. The castle changed hands many times over the years. In 1257, it was passed to the Archbishops of Aix. Then, in 1473, it went to René of Anjou, known as "Good King René," who later gave it to his doctor, Pierre Robin of Angers.

The castle was owned by several families until 1548 when it passed to François de Clapiers after he married Margaret of Séguiran. It stayed in the de Clapiers family for over 250 years. Between 1643 and 1667, Henri de Clapiers changed the medieval keep into a more comfortable house while keeping the outer walls for defense. One of his descendants, Luc de Clapiers, became a well-known philosopher during the Enlightenment period. After the French Revolution, the château was sold to the Isoard family in 1790. The Isoards kept the château for 150 years until they sold it in 1943.

Picasso's chateau

After being shown the empty chateau in September 1958, the famous Spanish painter Pablo Picasso decided to buy it within a week. He moved in January 1959 and felt proud to live near Mont Sainte-Victoire, a favorite subject of the painter Paul Cézanne. Picasso wanted a quiet place to work, away from crowds, and brought many of his art collections and sculptures into the chateau.

He decorated the rooms with items he loved, like a mandolin and colorful chairs. Though he only lived there until 1962, the chateau greatly influenced his art during that time.

After Picasso

Picasso passed away at his villa in Mougins in 1973. His wife, Jacqueline, chose the Château of Vauvenargues for his resting place because local rules did not allow burial in Mougins. The funeral happened during an unusual snowy day. Picasso’s body was kept in the château’s oldest room until a grave could be prepared.

Thirteen years later, the château was opened to visitors for the first time since 1973. It remains filled with the items Picasso left behind, including many bronze sculptures. Visitors can see parts of the château and some photographs from Jacqueline Picasso’s collection.