Château de la Roque

English translation

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History

Medieval castle enlarged during the Renaissance. Building of irregular plan. The main dwelling is supported by a square keep and two round towers with collars of machicolations. The entrance facade received, in the 16th century, a main dwelling inscribed between the towers, pierced by a porch, ornamented with a dormer with cruciform mullions and acute pediment. The entrance is defended by a rectangular gatehouse with machicolations, with cruciform arrow slits and by a drawbridge. The door of the main dwelling bears the date 1622. In the inner courtyard opens a Louis XII door. The castle preserves an oratory probably dating from the 14th century. It occupies the ground floor of a rectangular keep. Its walls and vaults are covered with paintings of the 15th and 17th centuries. At the centre of the vault sits God the Father with, on one side, Matthew and Mark, on the other Luke and John. On the north wall are depicted Jesus at Caiaphas's house; Pilate washing his hands; Jesus falling under the weight of his cross. On the spandrels of the relieving arch of the south wall: Annunciation. Above the arch of the west wall: entry of Christ into Jerusalem; agony at Gethsemane. The flat chevet is organised in two registers. In the lower register, the composition is organised around the dead Christ, lying on a shroud. The upper register frames the opening and presents: the Crucifixion; donor and donee kneeling; Saint Francis of Assisi.