Château de Mazan Rich in Provencal Style

Nestled in the heart of Provence, you will find a true Hidden Gem – Château de Mazan. The former residence of the Marquis de Sade, an 18^th Century French aristocrat, politician and writer who was infamous for his outrageous, libertine lifestyle, this stunning Château is an ideal destination for a relaxing and pampered stay and an ideal base from which to discover the delights of the Southern Rhône and Provençal wines.

Guests at this elegant and historic Château will truly experience deepest Provence in the beautiful landscaped gardens with its incomparable scents of the region’s vegetation. For ultimate relaxation, guests can doze in the shade of the mulberry and centenary olive trees, take a dip in the outdoor pool or enjoy a cooling drink in the Château’s retro bar. Inside the main building, the ceilings are opulently high and all of the public areas are delightfully cool and impeccably decorated. There is a gourmet restaurant on site, where the chef subtly blends products of the earth and sea, focusing on using fresh, high quality local produce.

The Château is located within its own walled grounds in the quaint town of Mazan, at the foot of Mont Ventoux.  It is within easy reach of the fascinating city of Avignon and the prestigious Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas and Vacqueyras appellations. Also nearby is the stunning Luberon National Park; and discovering the wines of the Luberon is a must when residing here.

Wine-making in Provence began 2,600 years ago, when the Greeks founded the city of Marseille; and the vines flourished in the extensive and picturesque national park. Due to the hilly nature of the terrain here, the vineyards lie at varied altitudes of over 200m above sea level, resulting in a wide range of temperatures throughout the day, which in turn bestows a fabulous freshness to the grapes. Whilst the region produces some red and white wines, the fresh, summery rosés are most widely renowned, accounting for more than half of the regions’ production.

Enjoy a wine tasting break at this splendid Château with Grape Escapes, prices start from £321 per person for a three day/two night break, including two nights’ bed and breakfast accommodation, tours and tastings at two wineries with transport provided, an unforgettable picnic lunch at one of the estates, and a three course dinner in the Château’s L’Ingénue restaurant.

Here are some touring ideas in the region within easy reach from while you are staying at Château de Mazan:

A foodie walking tour of Avignon

Manguin Distillery on Île de la Barthelasse

La Chartreuse Avignon’s Neighbour

Enjoy a glass of wine, a meal or take a course at Carré du Palais in Avignon

Read about why author PJ Adams this Avignon is a Favourite of Popes and Mimes

Carolyne Kauser-Abbott

With her camera and laptop close at hand, Carolyne has traded in her business suits for the world of freelance writing and blogging. Her first airplane ride at six months of age was her introduction to the exciting world of travel.

While in Provence, Carolyne can be found hiking with friends, riding the hills around the Alpilles or tackling Mont Ventoux. Her attachment to the region resonates in Perfectly Provence this digital magazine that she launched in 2014. This website is an opportunity to explore the best of the Mediterranean lifestyle (food & wine, places to stay, expat stories, books on the region, travel tips, real estate tips and more), through our contributors' articles.

Carolyne writes a food and travel blog Ginger and Nutmeg. Carolyne’s freelance articles can be found in Global Living Magazine, Avenue Magazine and City Palate (Published Travel Articles).