Pictures of la Reine Laure

I am not the author of the photographs, except one or two.
Click each thumbnail for a larger view.

Map of the castle

Brief history

Arms of Forbin

In 1579, Melchior de Forbin started the construction of the castle. A previous house called "bastide Pouchade" was already inhabited there. Alas, permanent wars including religion wars prevented the Baron from completing his project. In 1589, the main work was finished, but as early as the end of 1590 the Duke of Savoy attacked it and destroyed parts of the new construction.

The architectural style is very similar to that of the nearby château de la Tour d'Aigues, but also resembles curiously the château d'Écouen which is located near Paris.

The main porch is unmistakably Renaissance in style, and is protected as a national historical monument.

The chest of arms on the right is that of the Baron de Forbin.

Locate it on the map

Why here?

Why did I put these two pages on my site? Because this property used to belong to relatives of mine, and I spent numerous lucky days there. The interior views correspond to that period; most of the other views as well.

The music you hear by clicking the small icon on the top is "Music for a while", by Henry Purcell.


The castle is in the village of Villelaure, close to the Durance river.