Le Méridional – Heritage – The Château d’Avignon, an exceptional heritage from the 18th and 19th centuries
Last April, the Château d’Avignon welcomed 5,000 people for the day of the country of Arles (capital of Provençal culture 2022). After six years of closure of the residence due to works, the public can rediscover the castle and its history through guided tours.
This domain of more than 21 hectares catches the eye and the ear. But make no mistake: it is not located in Avignon, but in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. Its name comes from its first major purchaser, Jean-François d’Avignon (1694 – 1770), who himself fathered it from his mother, Jeanne d’Arlatan, a wealthy Arlesian.
Previously called Mas de Someyre, the estate changed its name when it was enlarged in the years 1739 – 1740. For nearly a century, the domain of Avignon, made up of the domain of Montcalm, the castle of Avignon and its land located on either side of the Petit Rhône, was the site of agricultural companies, until 1893.
the castle changes its name during its expansion
On this date, Louis Prat-Noilly, Lyon heir to the family business of the famous vermouth Noilly-Prat, acquired it and transformed it into a hunting lodge and a wine estate. He exploits the land for the manufacture and distribution of wines and spirits, more particularly vermouth for Noilly Prat – which is still produced today.
Production was nevertheless disrupted due to disease in the vines, ravaged by the phylloxera epidemic: This destroyed most of the French vineyards at the end of the 19th century, causing the massive disappearance of around two million hectares of vines.
a state-of-the-art residence
Louis Prat can still get by thanks to the necessary equipment. Indeed, the trader has good skills in technology: it is also thanks to this attraction that he installs a unique hydraulic system, drawing water from the Petit Rhône to supply the surrounding agricultural land and to meet to the needs of the inhabitants of the area.
Thanks to these modern techniques and his innovative spirit, Louis Prat-Noilly made the Château d’Avignon a palace at the cutting edge of 19th century technology. The domain then brings together several functions: the castle and its 21-hectare park represent a place of vacation and rest, and the surrounding land is turned towards hunting and agriculture. All bear witness to an exceptional architectural, artistic, natural and technological heritage, where the luxurious fittings testify to the tastes of the time and the way of life of its former owner. A place that is worth the detour, especially since many events (cultural, gastronomic, etc.) are organized there.
Irene S.