History of the castle
In the year 1686, a man named Jean-Baptiste Jodelet, lord of Vaucouleurs, serving as steward under the reign of Louis XIV, took possession of a stretch of land of 50 hectares along the Canavère River, in Puget-sur-Argens. In this fertile land, he planted vineyards and erected a sturdy winemaking farm, now known as the "cave" of the castle.
It was his son, the young Honoré, born in 1687 in Fréjus, who inherited this estate after his father's passing in 1697.
During the 18th century, this property changed hands and first went to Joseph Brun, a man from the Fréjus region, around 1730, then to his son Jean Brun through a marriage in 1755.
In the year 1772, a notable named Sieur Nicolas Rey, prominent mayor of the city and influential burgher of Puget, as well as owner of neighboring lands, decided to acquire this estate to build a majestic bastide, perched on a rocky plateau, the highest point of the parcel. The construction of the bastide lasted 3 years and was completed in 1775.
During the time of the Rey family, elegant evenings were frequently organized in the company of illustrious personalities, boosting the estate's fame throughout the Var. History recounts that Napoleon Bonaparte, upon his return from Egypt in October 1799, made this place his first stop on French soil before heading to Paris.
After the prosperous period of the Rey family, the estate passed into the hands of the Court family, following the marriage of Joseph Court to Magdeleine-Sophie Rey, the granddaughter of Nicolas Rey. The bastide took the name "Villa Sophie", an inscription that endures on the arch of the main door of the castle.
It was during the mid-19th century, in a period of extravagance, that the bastide adorned itself with a medieval appearance with the construction of two crenellated towers.
In the year 1686, a man named Jean-Baptiste Jodelet, lord of Vaucouleurs, serving as steward under the reign of Louis XIV, took possession of a stretch of land of 50 hectares along the Canavère River, in Puget-sur-Argens. In this fertile land, he planted vineyards and erected a sturdy winemaking farm, now known as the "cave" of the castle.
It was his son, the young Honoré, born in 1687 in Fréjus, who inherited this estate after his father's passing in 1697.
During the 18th century, this property changed hands and first went to Joseph Brun, a man from the Fréjus region, around 1730, then to his son Jean Brun through a marriage in 1755.
In the year 1772, a notable named Sieur Nicolas Rey, prominent mayor of the city and influential burgher of Puget, as well as owner of neighboring lands, decided to acquire this estate to build a majestic bastide, perched on a rocky plateau, the highest point of the parcel. The construction of the bastide lasted 3 years and was completed in 1775.
During the time of the Rey family, elegant evenings were frequently organized in the company of illustrious personalities, boosting the estate's fame throughout the Var. History recounts that Napoleon Bonaparte, upon his return from Egypt in October 1799, made this place his first stop on French soil before heading to Paris.
After the prosperous period of the Rey family, the estate passed into the hands of the Court family, following the marriage of Joseph Court to Magdeleine-Sophie Rey, the granddaughter of Nicolas Rey. The bastide took the name "Villa Sophie", an inscription that endures on the arch of the main door of the castle.
It was during the mid-19th century, in a period of extravagance, that the bastide adorned itself with a medieval appearance with the construction of two crenellated towers.
In the year 1686, a man named Jean-Baptiste Jodelet, lord of Vaucouleurs, serving as steward under the reign of Louis XIV, took possession of a stretch of land of 50 hectares along the Canavère River, in Puget-sur-Argens. In this fertile land, he planted vineyards and erected a sturdy winemaking farm, now known as the "cave" of the castle.
It was his son, the young Honoré, born in 1687 in Fréjus, who inherited this estate after his father's passing in 1697.
During the 18th century, this property changed hands and first went to Joseph Brun, a man from the Fréjus region, around 1730, then to his son Jean Brun through a marriage in 1755.
In the year 1772, a notable named Sieur Nicolas Rey, prominent mayor of the city and influential burgher of Puget, as well as owner of neighboring lands, decided to acquire this estate to build a majestic bastide, perched on a rocky plateau, the highest point of the parcel. The construction of the bastide lasted 3 years and was completed in 1775.
During the time of the Rey family, elegant evenings were frequently organized in the company of illustrious personalities, boosting the estate's fame throughout the Var. History recounts that Napoleon Bonaparte, upon his return from Egypt in October 1799, made this place his first stop on French soil before heading to Paris.
After the prosperous period of the Rey family, the estate passed into the hands of the Court family, following the marriage of Joseph Court to Magdeleine-Sophie Rey, the granddaughter of Nicolas Rey. The bastide took the name "Villa Sophie", an inscription that endures on the arch of the main door of the castle.
It was during the mid-19th century, in a period of extravagance, that the bastide adorned itself with a medieval appearance with the construction of two crenellated towers.
The castle in 1871 during a festivity
The castle in 1871 during a festivity
Towards the end of the 19th century, the phylloxera invasion raged in France. This insect, originally from the United States, infested and killed all French vineyards in a few decades. The vineyard of Vaucouleurs was not spared, and Joseph Court had to find a way to replace these lost vines. He then had the idea of building a racetrack, thus creating a new source of income and providing a welcome distraction for the locals.
On June 3, 1883, the Vaucouleurs racetrack was inaugurated, becoming one of the largest and most sumptuous in the Midi. "On that day, more than 5000 visitors flocked to Puget," as mentioned on June 7, 1883, in the pages of the newspaper Le Var.
The "entire Paris" from the Côte d'Azur came to race and feast at the Domaine, which for this beautiful society had to take a name more suitable than "Villa Sophie"; hence it became known as "Château de Vaucouleurs."
A few years later, the country overcame the phylloxera crisis by using rootstocks from American vines that were naturally resistant to this devastating insect. The racetrack, becoming difficult to manage, quickly declined, allowing the new Franco-American vines to reclaim the land, but the name "Château de Vaucouleurs" remained engraved on the labels of the wines produced.
The castle then changed ownership in 1892, when Mr. Robillis acquired it, beautifying the surroundings of the castle with a terrace and a French garden. In 1928, Mr. Zaag took possession, followed by Mr. Sénéchal in 1933.
Towards the end of the 19th century, the phylloxera invasion raged in France. This insect, originally from the United States, infested and killed all French vineyards in a few decades. The vineyard of Vaucouleurs was not spared, and Joseph Court had to find a way to replace these lost vines. He then had the idea of building a racetrack, thus creating a new source of income and providing a welcome distraction for the locals.
On June 3, 1883, the Vaucouleurs racetrack was inaugurated, becoming one of the largest and most sumptuous in the Midi. "On that day, more than 5000 visitors flocked to Puget," as mentioned on June 7, 1883, in the pages of the newspaper Le Var.
The "entire Paris" from the Côte d'Azur came to race and feast at the Domaine, which for this beautiful society had to take a name more suitable than "Villa Sophie"; hence it became known as "Château de Vaucouleurs."
A few years later, the country overcame the phylloxera crisis by using rootstocks from American vines that were naturally resistant to this devastating insect. The racetrack, becoming difficult to manage, quickly declined, allowing the new Franco-American vines to reclaim the land, but the name "Château de Vaucouleurs" remained engraved on the labels of the wines produced.
The castle then changed ownership in 1892, when Mr. Robillis acquired it, beautifying the surroundings of the castle with a terrace and a French garden. In 1928, Mr. Zaag took possession, followed by Mr. Sénéchal in 1933.
Towards the end of the 19th century, the phylloxera invasion raged in France. This insect, originally from the United States, infested and killed all French vineyards in a few decades. The vineyard of Vaucouleurs was not spared, and Joseph Court had to find a way to replace these lost vines. He then had the idea of building a racetrack, thus creating a new source of income and providing a welcome distraction for the locals.
On June 3, 1883, the Vaucouleurs racetrack was inaugurated, becoming one of the largest and most sumptuous in the Midi. "On that day, more than 5000 visitors flocked to Puget," as mentioned on June 7, 1883, in the pages of the newspaper Le Var.
The "entire Paris" from the Côte d'Azur came to race and feast at the Domaine, which for this beautiful society had to take a name more suitable than "Villa Sophie"; hence it became known as "Château de Vaucouleurs."
A few years later, the country overcame the phylloxera crisis by using rootstocks from American vines that were naturally resistant to this devastating insect. The racetrack, becoming difficult to manage, quickly declined, allowing the new Franco-American vines to reclaim the land, but the name "Château de Vaucouleurs" remained engraved on the labels of the wines produced.
The castle then changed ownership in 1892, when Mr. Robillis acquired it, beautifying the surroundings of the castle with a terrace and a French garden. In 1928, Mr. Zaag took possession, followed by Mr. Sénéchal in 1933.
Construction of the terrace and landscaping of the garden in 1907
Construction of the terrace and landscaping of the garden in 1907
It was not until 1943 that the estate became part of the Le Bigot family's heritage. Mr. Guillaume Le Bigot, a high-ranking official and future general controller of the French Navy, residing between Paris and Toulon, acquired this estate as a wedding gift for his wife.
However, barely settled in, they had to face the requisition of the castle by Italian military forces, followed by the Germans. The latter took possession of the ground floor and the upper floor, leaving only one room and a small kitchen to the owner and her children.
Marshal Rommel himself visited Vaucouleurs. His presence was dictated by strategic considerations, with the plan to install cannons on the castle towers. Fortunately, this proved impossible due to access through a skylight and a staircase, as well as the shape of the towers, which had sloping roofs. The cannons were therefore installed on the highest part of the estate, pointed towards the sea to counter any attempt at landing by allied troops.
At that time, the Germans were anxious about their future and even asked Mrs. Le Bigot to listen to the news on the radio to be informed of events.
Just before the landing, they withdrew into the woods, fearing reprisals from the Americans, who were described to them as savages torturing prisoners before executing them.
At the end of the war, the American liberation troops were warmly welcomed and set up a tent camp throughout the estate. It must be admitted that their presence was not as discreet as that of the previous occupiers, as they were noisy and enjoyed drinking. However, their suffered trials spoke in their favor, and mitigating circumstances were granted.
Long after the end of the war, former German and Italian soldiers and their children returned to the castle.
Mr. Le Bigot, mayor of Puget-sur-Argens from 1959 to 1977, was heavily involved in local and national politics and left his mark on the region.
Since its construction until today, the castle of Vaucouleurs has been notable for the prestige of its visitors: Napoleon Bonaparte, Marshal Rommel, General Eisenhower, future President of the United States, Commander Cousteau, and General Charles de Gaulle, who stayed there several times.
This estate has become, over the last eight decades, a true family castle, welcoming every summer the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. Le Bigot for stays of varying lengths.
Since the mid-2010s, the latter, wishing to maintain this heritage rich in history, have offered the privatization of the place for stays and weddings, which now rhythmically, each in their way, the life of the castle in spring, summer, and autumn.
It was not until 1943 that the estate became part of the Le Bigot family's heritage. Mr. Guillaume Le Bigot, a high-ranking official and future general controller of the French Navy, residing between Paris and Toulon, acquired this estate as a wedding gift for his wife.
However, barely settled in, they had to face the requisition of the castle by Italian military forces, followed by the Germans. The latter took possession of the ground floor and the upper floor, leaving only one room and a small kitchen to the owner and her children.
Marshal Rommel himself visited Vaucouleurs. His presence was dictated by strategic considerations, with the plan to install cannons on the castle towers. Fortunately, this proved impossible due to access through a skylight and a staircase, as well as the shape of the towers, which had sloping roofs. The cannons were therefore installed on the highest part of the estate, pointed towards the sea to counter any attempt at landing by allied troops.
At that time, the Germans were anxious about their future and even asked Mrs. Le Bigot to listen to the news on the radio to be informed of events.
Just before the landing, they withdrew into the woods, fearing reprisals from the Americans, who were described to them as savages torturing prisoners before executing them.
At the end of the war, the American liberation troops were warmly welcomed and set up a tent camp throughout the estate. It must be admitted that their presence was not as discreet as that of the previous occupiers, as they were noisy and enjoyed drinking. However, their suffered trials spoke in their favor, and mitigating circumstances were granted.
Long after the end of the war, former German and Italian soldiers and their children returned to the castle.
Mr. Le Bigot, mayor of Puget-sur-Argens from 1959 to 1977, was heavily involved in local and national politics and left his mark on the region.
Since its construction until today, the castle of Vaucouleurs has been notable for the prestige of its visitors: Napoleon Bonaparte, Marshal Rommel, General Eisenhower, future President of the United States, Commander Cousteau, and General Charles de Gaulle, who stayed there several times.
This estate has become, over the last eight decades, a true family castle, welcoming every summer the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. Le Bigot for stays of varying lengths.
Since the mid-2010s, the latter, wishing to maintain this heritage rich in history, have offered the privatization of the place for stays and weddings, which now rhythmically, each in their way, the life of the castle in spring, summer, and autumn.
It was not until 1943 that the estate became part of the Le Bigot family's heritage. Mr. Guillaume Le Bigot, a high-ranking official and future general controller of the French Navy, residing between Paris and Toulon, acquired this estate as a wedding gift for his wife.
However, barely settled in, they had to face the requisition of the castle by Italian military forces, followed by the Germans. The latter took possession of the ground floor and the upper floor, leaving only one room and a small kitchen to the owner and her children.
Marshal Rommel himself visited Vaucouleurs. His presence was dictated by strategic considerations, with the plan to install cannons on the castle towers. Fortunately, this proved impossible due to access through a skylight and a staircase, as well as the shape of the towers, which had sloping roofs. The cannons were therefore installed on the highest part of the estate, pointed towards the sea to counter any attempt at landing by allied troops.
At that time, the Germans were anxious about their future and even asked Mrs. Le Bigot to listen to the news on the radio to be informed of events.
Just before the landing, they withdrew into the woods, fearing reprisals from the Americans, who were described to them as savages torturing prisoners before executing them.
At the end of the war, the American liberation troops were warmly welcomed and set up a tent camp throughout the estate. It must be admitted that their presence was not as discreet as that of the previous occupiers, as they were noisy and enjoyed drinking. However, their suffered trials spoke in their favor, and mitigating circumstances were granted.
Long after the end of the war, former German and Italian soldiers and their children returned to the castle.
Mr. Le Bigot, mayor of Puget-sur-Argens from 1959 to 1977, was heavily involved in local and national politics and left his mark on the region.
Since its construction until today, the castle of Vaucouleurs has been notable for the prestige of its visitors: Napoleon Bonaparte, Marshal Rommel, General Eisenhower, future President of the United States, Commander Cousteau, and General Charles de Gaulle, who stayed there several times.
This estate has become, over the last eight decades, a true family castle, welcoming every summer the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. Le Bigot for stays of varying lengths.
Since the mid-2010s, the latter, wishing to maintain this heritage rich in history, have offered the privatization of the place for stays and weddings, which now rhythmically, each in their way, the life of the castle in spring, summer, and autumn.
