Château Grimaldi

Château Grimaldi is an aristocratic residence built on medieval fortress foundations, featuring seven bays with a central entrance and three stories. The building combines terra cotta roof tiles with architectural elements spanning different periods.

The Château was rebuilt between 1655 and 1685 by Cardinal Archbishop Girolamo Grimaldi-Cavalleroni, who transformed ruins into a residence inspired by Palazzo Farnese. This reconstruction established it as a seat of regional authority and aristocratic power.

The structure reflects its dual role as a bishop's residence and later aristocratic home, evident in how its fortress foundations blend with refined architectural details. This transformation shows how power and taste shifted among the regional nobility over time.

The building stands near Aix-en-Provence on its original plot, surrounded by ancient fortress walls that mark its historical boundaries. Plan time to examine the layered architecture carefully, as different construction phases are visible in the walls and structural details.

The original palace structure on this site featured roughly 365 windows divided by pilasters before its demolition with explosives in 1709. This earlier building had been so costly to construct that it became financially unsustainable and was eventually destroyed.

GPS coordinates: 43.58778,5.41444

Latest update: December 9, 2025 20:23