Château du Puy

Edit links
Coordinates: 43°37′18″N 6°42′04″E / 43.6216°N 6.7010°E / 43.6216; 6.7010
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Château du Puy
LocationTourrettes, Var, France
Coordinates43°37′18″N 6°42′04″E / 43.6216°N 6.7010°E / 43.6216; 6.7010
BuiltInitiated by General Alexandre Fabre
ArchitectGeneral Alexandre Fabre
OwnerPrivate co-ownership
Birds eye view from the Chateau du Puy
Château du Puy, Provence

Château du Puy is a 19th-century French castle located in Tourrettes, Var, France.[1][2][3] Situated atop the heights of Tourrettes, it remains a discreet presence overlooking the valley of the "Pays de Fayence".[1][4] The castle's construction was initiated by General Alexandre Fabre, a military engineer for Napoleon who also served under Russia’s Alexander I.[3][5][6][7]

History[edit]

General Fabre acquired the Puy hill in Tourrettes with the intention of constructing a castle.[1][6] In the village of Tourrettes, the castle became known as "Château Général Fabre", while he called it "Château mon Plaisir".

The castle's design was influenced by Fabre's interest in Russian art, resulting in a departure from traditional Provencal styles. The castle underwent restoration efforts in the 20th century, contributing to its present-day state.[8][9]

General Fabre intended the castle to serve as a museum for his art collection, with plans for his tomb in the basement and personal apartments on the first floor.[10][11] However, he passed away in 1844 before the castle's completion.[12][7][13] Subsequent familial disputes led to its decline, and locals repurposed its remnants for residential construction.

In the 1950s, lawyer Georges Hermans acquired the ruins and spearheaded a renovation project.[14][12][13] Inspired by General Fabre's story, Hermans collaborated with Belgians to transform the castle into a condominium with over 20 individual apartments.[1][10][11][6] The renovation concluded in the 1970s, preserving the castle's historical significance.[15][6]

The village recognized Hermans' contribution by naming the road to the castle "156 Avenue Georges Hermans",[14] and the parking lot in front of the castle is known as “Place Général Fabre”.[5]

In 2021, two historical tower units within the castle were restored by a team of local and international artisans. Led by Kika, the restoration aimed to preserve General Fabre's original vision while integrating modern amenities. The Tower Suites now offer a blend of historical charm and contemporary comforts, available for seasonal rental.

Ownership[edit]

The castle is privately owned and inaccessible to visitors,[16][9][6] divided into private apartments under co-ownership.[8][1]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e "CASTLES IN SOUTH FRANCE: CHÂTEAU DU PUY".
  2. ^ "Château du Puy, French Château". frenchchateau.net. Retrieved 2024-02-04.
  3. ^ a b Kim, Maggie (2022-06-28). "Summer Like the Crawleys: Historical Places to Visit in the South of France". Sunday Edit. Retrieved 2024-02-04.
  4. ^ Limited, Alamy. "France, Var, pays de Fayence, Tourrettes, Château du Puy du belvédère de la Tour de l'horloge de Fayence Photo Stock - Alamy". www.alamyimages.fr (in French). Retrieved 2024-02-06.
  5. ^ a b TravelKiwis (2017-01-06). "Christmas House Sitting: Villages of Provence, France". TravelKiwis. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Castle – Château - CHÂTEAU DU PUY - Tourrettes". www.petitfute.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
  7. ^ a b "Un Tourrettan, le Général Jacques Alexandre FABRE". TOURRETTES-HÉRITAGE (in French). Retrieved 2024-02-06.
  8. ^ a b "History of the castle". Château du Puy - Tourrettes. Retrieved 2024-02-04.
  9. ^ a b "The open heritage platform".
  10. ^ a b Stefano, Giovanni De (2021-10-22). "APARTMENT AT THE CHATEAU DU PUY FAYANCE-TOURETTE, FRANCE - PHOTO SHOOTING". 3dSign. Retrieved 2024-02-04.
  11. ^ a b Stefano, Giovanni De (2021-10-22). "APARTMENT AT THE CHATEAU DU PUY FAYANCE-TOURETTE, FRANCE - PHOTO SHOOTING". 3dSign. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
  12. ^ a b "Un polytechnicien au service des Tsars en Russie : Jacques-Alexandre Fabre…". Bibliothèque Centrale (in French). Retrieved 2024-02-06.
  13. ^ a b "TourrettesV2.pdf" (PDF).
  14. ^ a b "Chateau du Puy - Spaces". spaces.alltrack.org. Retrieved 2024-02-04.
  15. ^ "History of Chateau de Puy Vidal | The Lady of the Chateau". Lady of the Chateau. Retrieved 2024-02-04.
  16. ^ Panarotto, Serge (2003). Châteaux de Provence. Édisud patrimoines. Aix-en-Provence: Édisud. ISBN 978-2-7449-0353-3.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Château_du_Puy&oldid=1215375206"