Tarascon

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Shortened history of the castle:

With its location along the Rhone, Tarascon is one of the finest medieval castles in France, and was built in front of Beaucaire, a royal city. The castle is built on a rocky islet on the edge of the Rhone, which runs along one side while a ditch carved into the rock that can receive the waters of the Rhone separated from the city. It consists of two distinct parts: the north yard reserved for common men and weapons, and south the house itself.

The first castle was occupied in the middle of the thirteenth century by Charles of Anjou, Count of Provence, brother of St. Louis King of France.

Upon his return from Italy in november 1400, Louis II of Anjou, Count of Provence, ordered massive reconstructions of the castle. Work is progressing rapidly, but are interrupted a few years later and are taken from 1428 to 1435 by his son Louis III of Anjou. The architect was John Robert, took materials from the quarries of Tarascon and Beaucaire.

After 1481, the castle is occasionally used for agents of the king.

From the eighteenth century to 1926 the castle served as a prison.

Opening times and additional information:

The castle is open daily:

- April 1 to August 31 from 9am to 7pm
- September 1 to March 31 from 10.30am to 5pm (Closed on Mondays)

The castle is closed on 1 January, 1 May, 1 and 11 November and 25 December.