Le Barroux: Gardens, Château and Monastery History

Le Barroux brings together a landscaped garden, architectural and monastic history, and an annual literary festival. If you are looking for a hotel in Le Barroux, these themes can help you match your interests to your travel dates. Specific places to visit include the Jardin du Mont Ventoux, the Château du Barroux, the Monastère Sainte-Madeleine and the former Moulin à Huile du Barroux. Visiting arrangements vary from place to place; the festival’s mid-June date provides a fixed point in the calendar.

Garden Tour and Château du Barroux

The Jardin du Mont Ventoux is a private estate in Le Barroux and was awarded the “Jardin remarquable” label in 2023. Its garden tour features fountains and waterways, as well as selected works of art. Lavender or iris beds edged with dry-stone walls are complemented by an orchard and a Zen garden. Water, art and the garden’s different areas together shape the tour.

Visitors can explore the interior rooms and terraces of the Château du Barroux independently. Historically, the site began as a fortified keep intended to protect the plain from Saracen and Italian invasions. From the 12th to the 18th century, the château was the seat of the seigneurie. Its history therefore links its role as a fortified structure with its long-standing function as a seat of lordship. The château is partly classified as a historic monument and partly listed as a historic monument; it is also subject to full protection.

Monastic History and Former Olive Mill

The Monastère Sainte-Madeleine is a Benedictine monastery. It was founded in Bédoin in 1970 and moved to Le Barroux in 1980. Its founding and subsequent move mark two successive stages in its history. As of 2020, spiritual stays or retreats were reserved exclusively for men; check the current arrangements before travelling.

The Moulin à Huile du Barroux is an olive mill of the Moulin à Chapelle type. It was built in 1792 and operated until 1853. A millstone and Chapelle-type presses are still visible. The former mill has been listed as a historic monument since 19 July 2006. Visits are possible only as part of a guided tour. Its construction, the end of its operation and its listing as a historic monument mark different stages in its history.

Festival and Visit Options

The Écoute & Goûte literary festival takes place every year in mid-June. The programme includes meet-and-greets, panel discussions, book signings, readings, workshops, exhibitions and performances. The festival is open to all audiences, including children, teenagers and adults. If your trip depends on an event, check the specific festival dates before planning.

Visits to Les Lamas du Barroux are possible only by prior reservation. A visit to the weaving workshop is also available. The visit options therefore differ clearly: the château can be visited independently, the mill can be visited only as part of a guided tour, and a reservation is required at Les Lamas.

Discover more destinations: Méthamis, Crestet, Vedène, Pernes-Les-Fontaines, Puyvert, Caromb, L'isle-Sur-La-Sorgue, Saint Didier.

For the broader travel overview: Vaucluse.