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This castle with walls, courtyard, terraces was a real fortress. Destroyed in 1793, it had been standing since the 12th century.
This illustrious Provençal family was known for its valour and bravery.
Several Blacas distinguished themselves over the centuries: Grand Master of the Templars, ambassador, pontifical zouave, close relatives of kings,
the most famous being Enguerrand de Blacas, prisoner at Damiette during the Crusades and who, to thank God for having brought him back to Provence when he had gone on the Crusades, made a chain with the 16-pointed star in the centre, as he had vowed, between the two mountains of Moustiers Ste Marie in the neighbouring department.
The Blacas were, with the King of France, coseigneurs of Aups and their history remains inseparable from that of the village.
Coming from Vérignon, a small hamlet near Aups, whose forest is classified, the family takes its illustrious name from this forest since Blacas means "oak" in Provençal.
Throughout the centuries it was a story of love (many donations, protection) and hatred (trial during 4 centuries) between the dukes and the villagers.
Today the de Blacas family still owns property and houses in the commune of Aups, as well as a tomb that can be seen in the garden of the former Ursuline convent.