Whispers of fox hunts and forgotten refugees linger here at the Chateau de la Reynarde. This magnificent structure stands as a testament to centuries of history. It began as a medieval fiefdom. Later it was transformed into a 17th-century bastide. The name itself a clue. It likely derives from the many foxes that once inhabited the surrounding woods.
The Chateau de la Reynarde has a rich past. It wasn’t always a haven for children. In the 18th century it belonged to the Marquis du Muy. He raised it to the status of a fiefdom. Later it even became a county. The Chateau generated significant income. It brought in over forty thousand livres in annual rent. The Felix family a noble lineage from Avignon and later Aix-en-Provence and Marseille owned it. Their last noble branch died out in 1903. A notable visitor in 1814 was Louise-Marie-Adélaïde of Bourbon-Penthièvre the Dowager Duchess of Orléans.
Then came World War II. The Chateau de la Reynarde found itself playing an unexpected role. It became a refuge. In late October 1940 the Mexican consulate in Marseilles was overwhelmed by requests for shelter. Gilberto Bosques the consul decided to open refuge residences. The Chateau de la Reynarde was chosen. By mid-November 1940 dozens of Spanish refugees began to arrive. They worked to restore the chateau and its outbuildings. A report from the Prefecture’s foreign services indicated that on November 27 177 men were sheltered there.
The Chateau de la Reynarde soon housed over 800 men. They were from all walks of life. Farmers artisans magistrates workers academics and more. The Mexican flag flown at the entrance signaled the diplomatic status of the site. It protected the refugees from police intrusion for several months. Both the Chateau de la Reynarde and the nearby Chateau Montgrand became vibrant communities. They had schools infirmaries even children’s parties concerts and football matches.
But this haven was short-lived. In November 1941 the Prefecture of Marseille notified the consulate that the Chateau de la Reynarde would be reclaimed. The reason was its purchase by the Marseille Electricity Company. This eliminated a refuge for undesirables. They were increasingly unwelcome under the Pétainist regime and German authorities. Many refugees temporarily found refuge in the Chateau Montgrand. But in December 1941 gendarmes and mobile guards raided this refuge too. They rounded up 300 men for forced labor. The Chateau Montgrand also closed in May 1942.
The Chateau de la Reynarde underwent renovations around 1850. The last exterior modifications were made in the late 19th century. Today the heirs of Louis Régis who acquired it in 1868 have a different legacy. The Chateau is home to the MECS La Reynarde. It is a center that welcomes and supports over 100 children adolescents and young adults. They are under social protection and child welfare measures. Their motto is “grow flourish achieve”. The AMSP association manages it. It supports vulnerable individuals in exercising their rights meeting their needs and achieving full citizenship. This beautiful chateau’s history is a captivating blend of noble lineage wartime refuge and modern social service. Its past continues to enrich the present.