La Tourvieille (ou château de la Tourvieille ou Tour du Tanpan)
CastleHidden Treasure
La Tourvieille (ou château de la Tourvieille ou Tour du Tanpan), located in Arles (Bouches-du-Rhône), is a Renaissance château built in the 16th century. The monument is currently closed to visitors.
Key facts
- Type
- Castle
- Period
- Renaissance (16th century)
- Location
- Arles, Bouches-du-Rhône, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 43.4111, 4.6767
- Mérimée Reference
- PA00081193
Aux portes d'Arles, la Tourvieille conjugue tour médiévale et demeure provençale du XVIIe siècle dans un écrin de Camargue. Un joyau discret inscrit aux Monuments Historiques depuis 1933.
History
Nestling on the outskirts of Arles, the Roman and medieval city that fascinates the whole world, Tourvieille - also known as Château de la Tourvieille or Tour du Tanpan - is the perfect embodiment of the aristocratic discretion of early 17th-century Provence. Far from the glitz and glamour of the great royal residences, this castle of character has stood the test of time, preserving what's essential: a singular silhouette combining an ancient tower and a classical main building, set in a landscape that is as much garrigue as the wetlands of the Camargue. What makes Tourvieille truly unique is precisely this dialogue between the ages. The tower - the founding element that gave the site its name - is a reminder of the defensive and prestige-oriented approach that structured the Arles countryside in medieval and modern times. The main building, constructed in the first quarter of the 17th century and then remodelled in the 19th century, bears witness to the prosperity of the bourgeois and noble families who took advantage of the agricultural wealth of the Rhone delta. The experience of visiting Tourvieille is above all sensory and intimate. Away from the mass tourist circuits that take in the arenas and thermal baths of Arles, visitors here discover architecture on a human scale, where each stone tells a story of local history. The austere yet elegant facades, typical of the Provençal mastery of building during this period, open onto a natural environment of rare quality. The geographical setting plays a full part in the charm of the place. Arles is a world city, a crossroads of civilisations since Antiquity, and the surrounding countryside still bears the traces of this historical density. La Tourvieille is part of this palimpsest, where every estate, every farmhouse, every tower bears witness to centuries of human occupation. Photographers, local history buffs and walkers in search of authenticity are sure to find what they're looking for.
Architecture
The architecture of Tourvieille is typical of rural Provencal dwellings from the early 17th century, enriched by 19th-century alterations. The oldest and most remarkable feature is the tower that gives its name to the site - also known as the Tour du Tanpan - whose vertical silhouette contrasts with the horizontality of the main building. This tower, with its thick masonry walls typical of the region's defensive or semi-defensive buildings, is the visual and symbolic centrepiece of the complex. The main building, built in the 17th century, is typical of the Provencal manor house: light ochre limestone facades, regularly arranged mullioned windows with moulded frames, and a gable roof covered with canal tiles. The ensemble exudes the sober rigour typical of classical southern architecture, which prefers quality materials to decorative overload. Neo-classical or Romantic elements were added in the 19th century, such as more elaborate cornices or facade features reflecting the tastes of the provincial bourgeoisie of the period. The château's location in the Camargue and Arles landscape gives it a special relationship with its environment: oriented to take full advantage of the Mediterranean light while protecting it from the prevailing winds - the mistral in particular - the building bears witness to a construction know-how that is deeply adapted to local climatic conditions. A courtyard, farm outbuildings and planted areas complete the picture of a rural Provencal estate in all its historical coherence.
Related Figures
Famille propriétaire du XVIIe siècle (commanditaire de la construction du corps de logis actuel)Propriétaires du XIXe siècle (auteurs des remaniements et agrandissements)Inspecteur des Monuments Historiques ayant instruit le dossier d'inscription de 1933Notables arlésiens du XVIIe siècle gravitant autour du domaine
Tags
Nearby castles
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is La Tourvieille (ou château de la Tourvieille ou Tour du Tanpan) located?
La Tourvieille (ou château de la Tourvieille ou Tour du Tanpan) is located in Arles, Bouches-du-Rhône department, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, France.
When was La Tourvieille (ou château de la Tourvieille ou Tour du Tanpan) built?
La Tourvieille (ou château de la Tourvieille ou Tour du Tanpan) dates back to a period built during the Renaissance (16th century).
Is La Tourvieille (ou château de la Tourvieille ou Tour du Tanpan) open to visitors?
La Tourvieille (ou château de la Tourvieille ou Tour du Tanpan) is currently closed to visitors.
