Camping near Aubenas in Ardèche

Tourism in Aubenas

The castle of Aubenas dominating a rocky spur overhanging the Ardèche valley, is the ideal place for all history lovers.

History of Aubenas Castle

The history of Aubenas and its castle is full of twists and turns, changing with the ages of owners who have put their stamp on the intrigues that have marked the department. It all began in the 11ᵉ century. Its location between Puy-en-Velay and Montélimar, made it a strategic position for the first fort that the Montlaur family defeated, comprising a keep, surrounding wall, towers and drawbridge.

The town and castle took the name of the Montlaur family, who developed the area during the Middle Ages and continued their rule until 1441 when the building was transferred to the Maubec family, who built the mullioned tower of the same name.

In 1551, the Modenese took over the building until 1611, when they added an Italian loggia to its interior. Sen followed the Ornanos until 1665 and added, for example, the woodwork on the first floor and the glazed roofs of the towers and the keep.

The d'Hacourt family was the one who left no trace on the history of the monument, and bequeathed it without notable change to the de Vogüé family from 1716 until the revolution. They then arranged the salons and rooms, the grand staircase was later built in the inner courtyard and the doors of the southern façade were opened. After the revolution, the castle was vandalised. In 1810 the castle finally became the property of the town, which installed the town hall there. In 1943, it was classified as a historical monument and became a major tourist attraction in the city.

Visite du château d'Aubenas

Profitez d'un visite guidée du château qui vous fera decouvrir ce qui fait de ce monument un édifice à métamorphoses…En investissant le cœur du château par le hall orné des blasons de la ville, vous discernerez d’abord la cour intérieure, inspirée par les palais italiens. Vous y observerez la citerne, la tour Maubec et son escalier à vis ainsi que l’escalier monumental du 18ème siècle. Le donjon carré datant du 12ème siècle. D'une hauteurs de plus de 26m, il surplombe le château et la vue depuis sa cime est à ne pas rater. À l’intérieur vous visiterez les appartements et salons mélangeant les styles Louis XV et Louis XVI, arborant  des copies de meubles du 18ème siècle. Certaines salles ont étaient consacrées à des artistes ardéchois. Vous admirerez ainsi à l’intérieur des œuvres du peintre Chaurand-Naurac. Il vous faudra environ 1h pour compléter votre visite du château. Le soir, à certaines périodes, un spectacle son et lumière est projeté sur le château.