Castle Aubenas (07)

A listed 14th-17th century castle offering two aspects in southern Ardèche, the 'French Tuscany'. The property is not easily approached. Behind a large gate, the castle offers passers-by its medieval aspects: towers, watchtowers, bretèches, machicolations, moats and embrasures. The oldest parts of the building were probably built in the 14th century, and it still retains many elements from that period.
The property withstood the most troubled periods of the Middle Ages and the Wars of Religion. In addition to the defensive features, a few remnants of the richly decorated interior remain.
The castle has been listed as a historic monument since 1988, its architecture bears witness to the dense and eventful history of the Vivarais region. Once the region had been pacified, the castle became a place of entertainment and pleasure in the 17th and 18th centuries. Large windows were created on the facades, the larger rooms adorned with big fireplaces and the surrounding grounds turned into ornamental gardens.
In the 19th century, the eastern façade was redesigned with Tuscan accents and enhanced by a vast terrace extended by avenues lined with dozens of cypress and olive trees.
Handed down by the daughters of the family until the 20th century, the property was sold to the current owners in the 20th century. They undertook a complete state of the art restoration of the site: from lime-rendered and painted walls, small-paned windows to various Italian and French gardens.