castle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built during the Middle Ages predominantly by the nobility or royalty and by military orders. Scholars debate the scope of the word ''castle'', but usually consider it to be the private fortified r ...
monument historique
''Monument historique'' () is a designation given to some national heritage sites in France. It may also refer to the state procedure in France by which National Heritage protection is extended to a building, a specific part of a building, a coll ...
'' by the French Ministry of Culture.
Constructed on the site of a Gallo-Roman castle (a Roman road still crosses the present castle courtyard), the 12th century strongpoint with solid ramparts was gradually altered towards the 15th century to be used as a residence for an archbishop. The courtyard has a Renaissance well and the stables are 17th century.
In 1983, Roger Aubry, a former art dealer, and his wife Françoise bought the abandoned castle. Now restored, it has become an international centre for modern and contemporary art where more than 200 works are shown in a 700 m2 exhibition space. A selection of world artists is presented here, and conferences, concerts or temporary exhibitions are also regularly organized on the site.