In France, the word ‘château’ is used not only for a castle, but also for a wine estate. Confusing. But it is even more confusing when a château does not make wine, but whisky. Something the château du Barroux does.

The château du Barroux, 25 kilometres from our gîte, towers high above the village of Barroux. You can see it from afar. And the view from the castle of the village’s rooftops, the surrounding vineyards and Mont Ventoux is very beautiful. Even on the overcast day that Margriet visited it.

 

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The castle’s origin

The castle has its origins in the 12th century. Parts were constantly added by different owners. But during the French Revolution in 1791, revolutionary occupation forces caused a lot of damage after first burning the castle lord’s possessions in the courtyard. The castle remained empty. Villagers used the ruins as a quarry to build their houses.

In 1929, the castle was bought by André Vayson de Pradenne, who restored it with his own funds. It was almost finished when he died in an accident in 1939.

The castle during World War II

When German troops are attacked by the resistance at the bottom of the village during an attack, they occupied the village in retaliation. When they discover straw mattresses and other traces of habitation in the castle, they think they have found a resistance hideout. In reality, it was the former quarters of their own troops. When they realised this, it was too late. They had already set fire to the castle. The fire raged for 10 days.

Renovated once more

The dilapidated and blackened castle then stood empty for another 15 years. From 1959 to 1990, Docteur Mouliérac Lamoureux carried out renovations – at his own expense – and the château took on its current appearance. The château has been in the hands of the Vayson de Pradenne family again since 2020. The current owners continue to renovate the castle.

The renovation is self-funded and funds are currently being raised to refurbish the chapel. This is fully painted, but unfortunately the ravages of time have caused considerable damage.

 

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Whisky distillery

The current owners are not only engaged in the continued renovation of the chateau, they also make whisky. It is the only whisky in the world made from spelt from Haute-Provence. An average of 30% barley is also used. Those cereals, by the way, are organic.

From 1 October 2025, the castles whisky will be for sale. After it has matured for 3 years, the minimum period to be allowed to call whisky, whisky. That maturation is done in used wine barrels. The type of wine that has been in those barrels affects the flavour of the whisky. Incidentally, those barrels can only be used once and cost €900 to €1,000 each.

The room where the barrels are stored is the oldest part of the castle. Only to be visited during the special guided whisky tour.

Before October 2025, the castle was already selling a wide range of French whiskies and its own eau de vie.

 

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Permanent exhibition of fossils at château du Barroux

Apart from making whisky, the castle has something else that is special: a fossil exhibition. A vast array of small and large fossils are displayed there in particularly beautiful fashion. What makes it even more remarkable is that these already impressive fossils are accompanied by artworks by Sandrot, an artist who creates paintings of animals. For that reason alone, a visit to the castle is worthwhile.

 

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Visiting the Château du Barroux

The castle is open all year round except in January. Current opening hours can be found on the castle’s English-language website.

You can visit the castle independently with the help of an English-language guide. Some renovated rooms can be visited including the fossil exhibition. And the outdoor terraces offer beautiful views of the surroundings. A fun outing to do with children.

Guided whisky tour

You can also book the guided whisky tour. You will then not only learn about how whisky is made, but also have access to the distillery and the oldest part of the castle, the barrel cellar where the wishky is aged. At the end of the tour, there will be a tasting of the castle’s whiskies. Children under 10 are not allowed on this tour.

Other castles in the surrounding area

Read about other castles near our gîte in the blog Castles in the Provence.