Mas Du Chateau

Mas Du Château is set on a vast 500-hectare estate in the Bouches-du-Rhône department of southern France, just 30km south-east of Aix-en-Provence, with incredible views of the Arc valley and Mount Sainte-Victoire.

This hillside estate is quite remarkable – as you first enter you will see the winery and a 17th century bastide which is often rented out for weddings, then follow the winding and sometimes bumpy track for just under 2km, passing forests and vineyards until you reach your holiday home.

There are 40km worth of lanes and trails through the woodland and vines, passing olive trees and grazing sheep alongside beehives, herbs and wild hillsides, so often surrounded by stunning views as you ascend as high as 600m above sea-level. There is an especially wonderful walk just beyond the estate to the remains of a 5th century chapel, around 2km away. This region also offers some fantastic mountain biking opportunities and there are horse-riding stables within a short drive.

The château’s vineyards produce Côtes de Provence Sainte Victoire and Côtes de Provence wines, as well as the traditional Provencal ‘Vin Cuit’ and they are all bottled on the estate. You can also visit the owner's wine-shop and bistro for further tastings and purchases, around a 20-minute drive away.

Despite this rural idyll, once you leave the estate it’s just a 3km drive to the nearest restaurants, bars, shops and supermarkets in the local town. The historic centre, surrounded by some of its old ramparts, dates back to medieval times with attractive houses, arched lanes as well as a 13th century synagogue and beautiful 12th century church. Stop off for a coffee in the main square by the typically Provençal plane trees. The Wednesday morning market is also a lovely way to pick up a wealth of local produce to cook at home.

Visit some of the idyllic French villages that inspired the artist Paul Cézanne such as Le Tholonet (25km) where he painted many of his pictures of the spectacular Mount Sainte-Victoire. Other picturesque villages across the Arc Valley include Puyloubier (14km), also loved by Cézanne for its incredible landscapes at the foot of the mountain, Pourrières (12km) and Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume (20km).

Follow Cézanne’s footsteps in Aix en Provence (30km), a joy to explore with its cafes, museums, gardens and overall charming ambience. The Musée Granet is a must for all art lovers and the Atelier Cézanne is also worth visiting – the studio where the great artist produced so much of his work. Be sure to try and coincide your visit with a trip to the wonderful open-air market which runs three times a week.

The Mediterranean coast is also not too far away with the lovely town of Cassis (45km) just under an hour away, as well as the brilliant Calanques National Park, a paradise for walkers and hikers of varying abilities. Spend some time in this picturesque seaside village with its pretty pastel coloured houses or follow the famous coastal road, Route des Cretes, towards La Ciotat where you can pick up a boat to the beautiful île Verte.

The Provençal way of life is one that’s deeply tempting for anyone who’s been feeling the need to get away from it all. This is a place where the Mediterranean weather turns fields of corn and lavender into picture-perfect backdrops, where you can sip your locally bought wine and enjoy the landscapes before heading out and tackling them head-on with a range of great activities for families, groups of friends and adventurous foodies. Better yet, our range of villas in Provence and chateaux and holiday homes in the Côte d’Azur make the perfect base to explore this enchanting region!

Download our Provence & Côte d'Azur Travel Guide >>