Château de Châteaurenard

Château de Châteaurenard is a ruined medieval castle in Châteaurenard, in the Bouches-du-Rhône department, roughly 10 km south of Avignon.

How did the castle at Châteaurenard begin?

Griffon Hill, where the castle stands, was already fortified in the 10th century, when a lord named Raynardus — the source of the town's name — built a timber stronghold to guard the crossing over the Durance valley. The Counts of Provence rebuilt it in stone during the 12th century, and Ildefonso of Aragon gave the fortress much of the layout still traceable in the ruins today. Between 1420 and 1430 its four towers were raised higher, reinforcing both its defensive role and its status as a seat of power.

Why did a pope take refuge here?

The castle's best-known episode involves Pedro de Luna, known as the antipope Benedict XIII. Fleeing besieged Avignon in 1403, he found safe shelter in Châteaurenard. This chapter is now one of the highlights of a visit, with guides walking visitors through the restored rooms while recounting the castle's role during the Western Schism.

What survived of the original fortress?

The French Revolution left its mark: in 1792, after Marseillaise troops passed through, the castle was ransacked and partly demolished as a symbol of feudal privilege. For the next two decades, local residents dismantled its stone walls to build their own houses. Two towers survive today — one of them partly ruined — along with a stretch of the ramparts. The best-preserved is the Tour du Griffon, whose summit opens onto a panorama of the Durance valley, the Alpilles, and Mont Ventoux. The ruins were listed as a historic monument of France in 1921.

What can you see on a visit?

A visit takes in six restored rooms that trace the site's story, from its defensive architecture to daily life inside the castle and the strategic weight the hill held for the wider Arles region. The route also passes several viewpoints overlooking the Rhône valley. Reaching the castle from the church in the town center means climbing 263 steps — itself part of the experience, as each turn opens a wider view over the Provençal countryside below.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Château de Châteaurenard located? The castle sits on Griffon Hill in the town of Châteaurenard, in the Bouches-du-Rhône department, about 10 km south of Avignon.

Is the castle still fully intact? No. Following the 1792 destruction and decades of stone-scavenging by locals, only two towers and a section of the ramparts remain, including the well-preserved Tour du Griffon.

Who took refuge in the castle in 1403? The antipope Benedict XIII (Pedro de Luna), who fled here from besieged Avignon.

Can the castle be visited with a guide? Yes, guided tours cover six restored rooms and include the castle's history, architecture, and panoramic viewpoints.