Castle of Allemagne-en-Provence, Medieval castle in Allemagne-en-Provence, France.
Castle of Allemagne-en-Provence is a medieval fortress with a central keep surrounded by round towers and a rectangular courtyard. The windows featuring ornamental details come from the 16th century and define the appearance of the structure.
The Castellane barons took refuge behind an enclosure of five towers in the mid-13th century after being driven from their fief for supporting the Marseille revolts. The present castle was begun by François de Castellane and completed by his son Melchior in the early 15th century, built from a keep attested in 1380. In 1586 Jeanne de Grasse held it for sixteen days against the Catholic League. The Castellane family owned it until the end of the 16th century; in 1839 it passed to Marquis Rippert-Monclar, who began restorations continued by his son.
The castle passed from the Castellane family at the end of the 16th century to several Provençal families; in 1839 the Marquis Rippert-Monclar began restoration work continued by his son François Rippert-Barret. In 1936 the latter's widow bequeathed it to the free schools of the dioceses of Digne and Avignon, and after World War II the Apt confectioners' union bought it and ran it as a holiday camp until 1977.
The castle is accessible for visits and guests should check opening times beforehand. Comfortable shoes are advisable since exploring the interior and different levels requires walking throughout the structure.
In 1586, Jeanne de Grasse held the castle for sixteen days against the Catholic League, waiting for a Protestant relief army led by her husband, Baron Nicolas du Mas de Castellane. He was killed by a musket shot as he approached the castle after the battle.
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