Gentilly Castle

Seven centuries of history!

Residence of Annibal de Ceccano

At the beginning of the 14th century, Annibal de Ceccano (1282-1350), archbishop of Naples, designated cardinal by Pope John XXII in 1327, ordered the construction of his residence in Sorgues, in a district called 'Gentiliaco' (from Latin gentilis 'nice place', speaking of a charming place). The property of approximately 33 hectares has outbuildings and farms, an exotic animals menagerie, stables, gardens and alleys of ancient trees, ponds and whitewater. An antical text describes the princely layout of the palace:

'In the entire sanctuary, on the ground, around, and at the top, you could only see gold sheets, velvet, carpets on the floor and hangings, all in abundance. The altar was decorated with crosses, relics, precious stones, gold images, mitres, ornaments in front of the altar, so much that visitors marked their surprise mixed with admiration'.

The various owners

• Upon his death, Annibal de Ceccano left his house in Gentilly by the powerful Celestine Order. The building, known as the most beautiful monastery in Comtat Venaissin, thanks to its wealth and magnificent gardens, attracts kings and princes such as Jacques III, King of England, the Queen of Poland or the House of Savoy.

• Foreclosure during the Revolution, sold at auction as national property, the Célestins monastery was bought by the citizen Joseph Rovère. He sells the magnificent chapel and its set of stained glass windows made by great Flemish masters as building materials.

• In 1818, the heirs of Rovère sold the monastery to César Amic, a dry cleaner in Avignon, in order to create a manufacture. This project did not succeed. Over the course of resales, the domain was fragmented and largely destroyed.

• Residence of the Bouscarle family, mansion and silk factory until the 1940s, the castle is now communal property, on a public park.

Renaissance of the castle

Thanks to a partnership with the National Center for Territorial Public Service (C.N.F.P.T), which will become the tenant, the Municipality is launching the huge project of its restoration. In 2021, after 20 months of work somewhat disrupted by the health context, Château Gentilly regained its magnificence as well as a new life...

This castle is therefore not visitable because it is now an education centre, but you can admire its beautiful facade in the pleasant Gentilly Park. Discover the complete history of the castle on the information panels!