Château de Tarascon
| Château de Tarascon | |
|---|---|
| Part of Tarascon, France | |
| Bouches-du-Rhône | |
| Site information | |
| Type | Castle |
| Owner | City of Tarascon |
| Open to the public | Yes |
| Condition | Excellent condition |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 43°48′24″N 4°39′18″E / 43.8066°N 4.65503°E |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1010 (First castle) 1401 (Second castle) |
| Built by | Louis II of Anjou |
| In use | Late 15th century – 1926 |
| Materials | Limestone |
| Events | Hundred Years' War |
| Official name | Château de Tarascon |
| Type | Classé |
| Designated | 1840 |
| Reference no. | PA00081473 |
The Château de Tarascon (Provençal: Castèu de Tarascon) is a medieval castle in Tarascon in the Bouches-du-Rhône department of the south of France. The fortress stands on the banks of the Rhône opposite Château de Beaucaire, and near St Martha's Collegiate Church and ensured the security of the western border of Provence. Destroyed and rebuilt in the first half of the 15th century in a combination of Gothic and Renaissance styles, the fortress was a venue for events, meetings, and celebrations for King René before being converted into a military prison at the end of the 18th century. Today, the structure stands as one of the best preserved castles in the world and has been classified as a national historic site since 1840.