The 17th-century era Château de Tourreau is without doubt one of the finest châteaux for rent in Provence, and indeed one of Provence’s finest properties in general.
It has been beautifully renovated in keeping with its historical spirit, but with 21st-century conveniences and facilities, and the interior design is immaculate at every turn.
It also has 17 acres of private parkland which includes a historic consecrated chapel, meticulously designed gardens (with a large swimming pool and tennis courts), as well as woodlands, orchards, streams, and a small lake.
The Accommodation:
Note: There is a 3-night minimum stay at this property. The interiors cover at least 800 square metres, with nine double and twin bedrooms in total.
On the ground and first floor you have three master bedrooms with queen-sized beds and ensuite bathrooms.
On the second are six more bedrooms, all of which are ensuite; one with king size bed, two with queen size, two with standard doubles, and one with twin beds.
Other rooms at the property include a lovely formal dining hall, a library, a large kitchen, and three reception rooms.
The Château’s internal courtyard is an extra charming feature with its fountains and jasmine-covered walls and is perfect for al fresco dining.
Speaking of dining, a talented local chef can be hired for the duration of your stay if you so wish, and cooking lessons can also even be arranged, just write a request note after booking.
Sports facilities include a gym, a 25 x 10-metre swimming pool, a grass tennis court, and a squash court. The grounds are a real pleasure just to wander around, with their ornate gardens, peaceful woodland, orchards, and gently flowing streams.
There are also plenty of seating and lounging areas, and a summer kitchen and barbecue by the pool which also has changing rooms and rest rooms.
Prices:
Check out all the details on the booking page here.
In 1612 the original Tourreau, Paul Tourreau of Avignon, bought the estate and built himself a château. This was the first Château de Tourreau. Two years later he added a chapel on the grounds dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the building that we still see today.
The original château didn’t see more than a hundred and fifty years of use though before François Bénezet-Tourreau demolished the building and made plans to replace it with something a little grander.
He hired the architect Esprit-Joseph Brun, who also designed Château Borély in Marseille, for the job and this is the château we see today. The chapel was left standing but got something of a makeover which explains the date of the inscription at the entrance; 1779.
The château survived an arson attack in 1791 and in 1852 it would finally leave the hands of the Tourreau family when Frédéric Marius, their last descendant, sold the estate to the Fraisse family.
More renovations were to come, most notably the erection of a new two-storey wing ending in an octagonal brick tower and a new, English-inspired, design for the gardens.
The Fraisses would in time sell it on and it was in the hands of the Meffre family when in 1941 it saw much damage during the German occupation.
It lay abandoned for many years after the war until, in 1959, Mr. Claude de Boisanger, acquired it and undertook the necessary renovations as well as the construction of the swimming pool.
In 1963 the property was listed as a French national historical monument.
