Château de Saumane-de-Vaucluse, the ancestral home of the Sade family where the notorious Marquis spent his childhood, is currently being assessed for sustainable use. Perched on a rocky outcrop in the Vaucluse Mountains, this historic monument, which has undergone numerous renovations, combines features of a Renaissance palace and a medieval fortress.

Owned by the Conseil départemental du Vaucluse, the Château has been managed since 2004 by the Communauté de Communes Pays des Sorgues Monts de Vaucluse under a 40- year lease. Over the years, the authority has experimented with various cultural and event- based uses and is now planning to permanently open the monument to the public.

As part of the “Réinventer le Patrimoine” (Reinventing Heritage) program, in partnership with 7e Sens and SCET, Manifesto is developing a project for the heritage site’s enhancement. In the early stages, Manifesto is working with stakeholders to define an operational plan that will contribute to the area’s cultural life.

Manifesto has conducted a territorial and technical assessment of the castle, its annex, and surrounding outdoor spaces to provide a critical review of past and proposed uses. The agency is assisting stakeholders in developing a public-private partnership by analyzing the economic and legal frameworks. Finally, Manifesto is tasked with testing the project with external partners to assess its long-term viability.