Address 320 Chemin du Château, 06640 Saint-Jeannet, France | ||
The Château Saint-Jeannet is a notable French château located in the Côte d'Azur, about 10 km (6.2 mi) northwest of the city of Nice.
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Nomenclature
Prior to major renovations completed in 2009, it was known as the Château de la Gaude, because it is situated in the village of La Gaude, just south of Saint-Jeannet proper. However, as renovations neared completion, the name was changed to that of the more widely known Saint-Jeannet with the intention of increasing tourism to the area.
History
Tradition holds that the site was used as a Templar fortress as early the 9th and 10th centuries. However, the earliest known construction on the château hill can only be dated to the 11th century. Written records of a château on the site date to the 13th century. Since that time, it has been effectively destroyed and rebuilt several times. The most recent renovation recovered evidence of the design of that earliest fort, and has attempted to echo it in the placement of the road, outer walls, and observatory tower.
A book has been printed on the subject of the château's history, and it goes into much greater detail.