History
In the 13th century, Châteauneuf-du-Pape became the property of the Bishop of Avignon, although it lay within the Comtat Venaissin, which belonged to the Church of Rome.
So for centuries Châteauneuf-du-Pape enjoyed a special status: justice, taxes, policing and the economy were all headed by the Bishop of Avignon. The village was "in the Comtat without being of the Comtat". The bishop was lord of the village, yes, but from 1303 the people of Châteauneuf-du-Pape won the right to elect three magistrate-consuls to run it. From 1688 these consuls were chosen by secret ballot, and could even be elected without having stood as candidates! Indeed, in 1681 the bishop forced Guillaume ARMENIER to accept the post of consul on pain of a fine of "25 marcs argent".
This situation lasted until the French Revolution. In the summer of 1790, the assembly of heads of household decided to join their village first to the city of Avignon and then to France, a decision accepted by the National Assembly in September 1791.
The Popes built extensively around Avignon, and it was John XXII who began building the castle in 1317.
Some Popes, such as Clement VII, stayed
there regularly. As well as serving a defensive purpose, the castle was a holiday retreat and a refuge, especially when plague struck the region, as it often did over the centuries. (In September 1721, the first victim of the great plague in Châteauneuf-du-Pape was Bartholomée ARMENIER).
After the Popes left, the bishops found it hard to maintain such a large building. Then came the Wars of Religion, with Protestants and Catholics in conflict. In 1563 the castle was partly burned.
During the Revolution, the people of Châteauneuf-du-Pape joined forces to buy it. It was used as a stone quarry, and as you walk through the village you can still spot fine stones from the castle at a bend in a street or in the front of a house. Only the imposing keep had survived intact, but in August 1944 retreating German troops blew it up.
Today
Today only a theatrical façade remains, and beneath it the old cellars, which host various festivals and ceremonies, such as those of the Échansonnerie des Papes.
