Château de Fonscolombe, Provence

Discover the allure of an 18th-century Provençal fairy tale as you step into Château de Fonscolombe—luxury, history, and timeless romance await amid vineyards and grand, century-old trees.

We just had to stop here on our Provence road trip (did you see our coverage on Instagram?); for the Château de Fonscolombe review, we booked an early June stay and arrived on a perfect Provençal afternoon. Pulling into the access road, we first noticed the towering ancient trees, then the twin emerald‑tiled turrets rising amid the greenery, and our first impression was that of entering a fantasy realm.

Filled with history and style

Stepping into the Château itself, we felt as though we’d been invited into a private chapter of French history—one written in chinoiserie‑adorned panels and soft pastel wainscoting.

From the moment we stepped into the enfilade of richly decorated salons, each room unfurled before us like a living tapestry. The billiards room led to the library, which in turn opened onto the music salon, the hushed writing room, and even the specially-furnished playroom for the little ones—every threshold revealing another intimate nod to the château’s storied past.

Outside, we lost track of time beneath the great Atlas cedar—planted by the Queen Mother in 1965—and strolled among fountains, statues, and box‑hedged groves. The swimming pool—dug out of an ancient stone pond—glimmered invitingly, and the softly pebbled pathways beckoned us deeper into the arboretum, the work of a 19th‑century Marquess and friend of Darwin.

Don’t miss our write-up: Seven Best Hotels and Resorts for a Great Road Trip in Provence

Château de Fonscolombe review: the experience highlights

Meals felt like a continuation of the château’s extravagance. We dined al fresco in the Orangerie, light filtering through floor‑to‑ceiling windows as we sampled wild boar ragù and truffle‑drizzled sweetbreads paired with the estate’s organic red.

By night, our canopied bed awaited, draped in heritage linens and framed by wrought‑iron balconies that looked out over vineyards shimmering in the moonlight. We slept to the distant hoot of owls, certain that, for one perfect weekend, we had become part of the château’s family.

in our opinion

What we love

• This listed château adheres to the formal 18th-century style but without the feeling of stuffiness or uptight fuss. The first floor, known as the "Heritage" floor, is furnished accordingly; it would feel like a museum if not for the fact that it’s fully open and free for guests to use.
• The rooms are designed with simple elegance rooted in the classic French château decor. The period-perfect details are worth a special shoutout: Chinoiserie walls, Genoese leather tapestries, and pastel wainscoting whisper of 18th-century elegance.
• Exceptional Service—the staff is polite, friendly, efficient, attentive, and provides impeccable service.
• Majestic park and arboretum: The hotel's grounds are well-maintained and beautiful; Atlas cedar, box‑hedged paths, and shaded groves create a private Provençal Eden.
• Al fresco dining in the Orangerie: Floor‑to‑ceiling windows, terrace seating under a 300‑year‑old bald cypress, and estate‑grown organic wines.
• Intimate spa in the stone stables: A former Marquise's boudoir repurposed into a treatment room, oozing old‑world charm.
  Other small touches include welcome treats, minibar items, music boxes, live music, guided tours, and a tree planted by Queen Elizabeth; all these additions contribute to a memorable stay.

What you should know

• The most celebrated suites are in the historic part of the château, but only one has access to the iconic balcony overlooking the lawn and the park, in the focal point of the building. We were lucky to have checked in to that one and experienced its four-poster bed and an indulgent, oversized marble bath. Very cool!
• This is a true heritage French property, complete with all the quirks of a historical building. Each room is of a different size and character, and you may encounter issues with temperature, e.g., some rooms get hot on sunny days (especially the ones facing the car park).
• The hotel is great for families. There is a dedicated playroom, pony rides, donkey visits, and plenty of open space for children to roam.
• Château Fonscolombe welcomes guests from May through October; it is closed from November to April.
• What to see in the area? The lovely Luberon villages and hamlets are half an hour to the north and Aix-en-Provence to the west. It's also a great place to stop on the way from the coast to the center of Provence—or the other way around (we drove here from St Tropez). Marseille is about 45 minutes from here.