MORE THAN ONE THOUSAND YEARS OF HISTORY
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The château of La Barben, situated between Salon de Provence and Aix-en-Provence, is one of the most beautiful castles in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region.
The famous painter, Marius Granet, who was born in Aix-en-Provence, stayed there numerous times and wrote “La Barben is the most ancient and the most picturesque castle in Provence”.
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The location of this castle, which is situated in a grandiose setting overhanging an oasis of greenery that grows thanks to the water from the rivers Vallon de Maurel and la Touloubre, would be – according to some writers –, the old Pisavis not far from which the “Aurelian way” could be found.
The château, “castrum” of “Barbentum” in latin, was referred to in 1064 for the first time, in a property register that could be read at the Abbaye de Saint Victor in Marseilles who used to be the owner of the lands around La Barben.
Situated on huge rocks that make it impregnable, the fortified castle was built for the defence of the area. Its towers, turrets and its hanging terraces are in perfect harmony with nature, giving this site its mysterious beauty.
As soon as you go through the first postern, you discover all the architectural elements that are typical of medieval fortresses : watchtowers with pulleys from the former drawbridge, crenelations and machicolation, arrow slits, the coat of arms and the motto of the lords of the place.
A NIGHT IN THE CASTLE
The castle welcome you in a fairytale setting and open its gorgeous rooms and suites. The breakfast is served in the medieval kitchen.
