Château de Charmes-sur-Rhône

En un regard

Le château en bref

The ruins of the feudal château of the Crussol d'Uzès family lie in the commune of Charmes-sur-Rhône, in the Ardèche département, on a rocky spur overlooking the Rhône valley. The château came into the possession of the Crussol family by donation in 1228 and served as a residence for the Crussol d'Uzès until the end of the 15th century. It was then used as a small garrison and later as a prison, before being dismantled on Richelieu's orders in 1624, its materials being reused to build the village. The site was still being plundered at the beginning of the 20th century. All that remains today are traces of ramparts and a tower, a former church bell tower, offering a panoramic view over the Rhône valley; the Porte de l'Aubéran marks the former entrance to the château's outer courtyard. Owned by the commune, the site is now accessible only through guided tours organised by the association Les Compagnons de Charmes.