Posed in the North of the department, the foot of a small hill between Montagnette in the West and Small Crau in the East, Châteaurenard is a small village which is held peacefully in the middle of a fertile valley. Châteaurenard has all the assets of one city in the countryside: surrounded by vast orchards to the tender colors, between Alpilles and Durance, while being located at two steps of Avignon and the high tourist places to discover.
Châteaurenard was formerly a strategic defensive place to prevent the attacks of the enemies and to supervise the valley of the Durance. Some vestiges of its feudal time were preserved, it remains today 2 turns of its old castle. Built in 1170 by the Reynardus Lord, it gave his name to the village: Reynard manor house who became then Castel Fox, then Châteaurenard. The castle underwent some installations and transformations during centuries, in particular in 1420 a second stage was added to the castle and explains the mixture of Romanesque architecture and Gothic.
Great names remained with the castle: Louis XIV, the Jeanne queen, Catherine de Medicis among most known as well as the pope Benoit XIII (last pope of Avignon). Unfortunately, during the French revolution the castle was destroyed by the villagers, only the two visible turns today were saved. Since the esplanade of the castle and the tower of Griffon, you will be able to appreciate a very beautiful panorama on Montagnette, Avignon, Ventoux and Alpilles.
The castle shelters a museum of local history today and presents 4 rooms at topic: the Middle Ages, concise, XVII° and XVII° centuries. In estival period you will be able to also visit in Châteaurenard the museum of the old agrarian tools.
The principal economic activity of Chateaurenard is its market of national interest (MIN) which extends on 8 ha and manages nearly 300.000 tons of fruit and vegetables sold per annum (1st European economic rank by its tonnage) .Ce gone gathers 150 communes of the surroundings. The transactions take place the every day of 6h30 with 7h30 but it is not worthwhile to early raise you with your small basket… here the melons, tomatos, cabbages flowers, salads, apples and other early products are sold by pallet and truck!
Finally do not leave Chateaurenard without to have tasted with the specialities: Frigoleïo (grape coated with almond paste and infused into liquor of plant) and the Roller of Crau (small cake crunching with the paste of amane) which you will find in bakery
To visit:
Church St Denis House of Penitent the Gray feudal Castle of the XII° in XV°Musée of the old agrarian tools Museum of Local History the M.I.N (Gone of National Interest)
Leisures:
Market every Thursday mornings (Space Isidore Rolande) Craft industry: workshop of santon (except Christmas on return) Distilling liquor of Frigolet. Arrow pedestrian paths - Course health. Equestrian excursions and vtt (hiring bicycle) Riding school. Club.Tennis pony. Swimming pool heated not - glaze. Cinema. Discotheques.
Demonstrations:
Estival animations: Contest of herds and race camarguaises (bulls, horses and young cows) Festival of St Eloi: 1st week end of July Celebrates of the Madeleine: 1st week end of August Celebrates St Omer: 3rd week end of September
Reception facilities:
3 Hotels. 1 Camp-site. Lodgings. Furnished hirings. Rooms of hosts. Restaurants
CHATEAURENARD OFFICE OF TOURISM **
Rhone delta (13) - Provence - the Alps of the South
11, Carnot course, 13160 CHATEAURENARD
Tel. 04 90 24 25 50 - telefax: 04 90 24 25 52
E-mail: ot@chateaurenard.com
Internet site: www.chateaurenard.com
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