Can you go inside the château de la Tourvieille?

No, the building is a stabilised ruin that can only be viewed from the outside and from the viewing platform set up on the site.

Where is the château de la Tourvieille located?

It stands in the commune of Arles, in the Rhône delta, within the Camargue regional nature park.

What is the origin of the château de la Tourvieille?

It began as a watchtower, the Tampan tower, built in the early 17th century to monitor ship access to the port of Arles.

Why is the château in ruins?

Abandoned after the Second World War, the building fell into serious disrepair before being stabilised through works carried out between 2017 and 2018.

Tourvieille

Arles

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Where: Arles

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Château de la Tourvieille stands in Arles (Bouches-du-Rhône), in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France. The building is registered as a historic monument (dating recorded in the Mérimée database: first quarter of the 17th century, 19th century). Its opening hours and prices have not been verified at the source yet.

At the entrance to the Rhône delta, the Tampan tower, now known as the château de la Tourvieille, stands as a stabilised ruin within the Camargue regional nature park. Built in the early 17th century to monitor ship access to the port of Arles, it later served as a farmhouse before being abandoned after the Second World War. A 9-metre viewing platform has been set up on the site, giving views over the surrounding lagoons, marshes and beaches.

What to know

The site is visited outdoors, amid the marshes and lagoons of the Camargue, with no published opening hours or fees.
The visit mainly consists of viewing the ruin and climbing the viewing platform for the surrounding landscape.
Access is on foot via paths designed to respect the natural environment, so sturdy shoes are advisable.
The building has been listed as a historic monument since 1933.
No information is available on accessibility, parking or pets.

Where this château is

Arles · Bouches-du-Rhône · Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Map of the area around Château de la Tourvieille

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

13129 Arles

Directions open from wherever you are, by car or public transport.

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Heritage status: Registered historic monument (inscrit); Mérimée record PA00081193
Period of construction: first quarter of the 17th century, 19th century

Itineraries

Frequently asked

Can you go inside the château de la Tourvieille?: No, the building is a stabilised ruin that can only be viewed from the outside and from the viewing platform set up on the site.
Where is the château de la Tourvieille located?: It stands in the commune of Arles, in the Rhône delta, within the Camargue regional nature park.
What is the origin of the château de la Tourvieille?: It began as a watchtower, the Tampan tower, built in the early 17th century to monitor ship access to the port of Arles.
Why is the château in ruins?: Abandoned after the Second World War, the building fell into serious disrepair before being stabilised through works carried out between 2017 and 2018.