When it was built, the Château du Barroux was a powerful keep, surrounded by thick walls, which protected the plain of Comtat Venaissin against Saracen and Italian invasions. In 1274, when the Comtat Venaissin was taken possession of by the Papacy, Barroux became a fiefdom under the control of the Apostolic Chamber of Carpentras, until 1791, when the Comtat was attached to France. Abandoned, damaged in 1793 by the revolutionary hordes, sold in the 19th century, it fell into complete ruin, and it served as a stone quarry for almost 150 years. until its purchase at the beginning of the 20th century by an industrialist, Mr. Vayson de Pradenne, who undertook restoration work. His family still owns the place today. During the war, it was partly used as an observation post by the German occupation troops. In 1944, during an ambush, the Resistance killed a German soldier in the surrounding area. In retaliation against this army of shadows, the occupying troops, gathering the inhabitants of Le Barroux, wanted to execute civilian hostages. Fortunately, the leader of the German detachment was relented and did not commit this revenge, but when they left, the Germans discovered straw mattresses and other traces of occupation in the castle. Thinking they had found a resistance hideout when it was in fact the former cantonment of their own troops, they set fire to the castle, which burned for 10 days.
Under almost permanent restoration, the castle now houses a whisky distillery and a fossil exhibition.

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Herwig Jonckheere

May 10, 2025

beautiful castle that can be visited. The view from the castle to the surrounding area is very beautiful. Worth a stop.

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Herwig Jonckheere

September 29, 2022

Beautiful castle that is already visible from the Col de Suzette. This castle can be visited. To the side of this castle is a bistro, ideal for warm weather.

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Alexander Lange

September 5, 2023

clearly visible from afar!

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Elevation 400 m

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Location: Le Barroux, Carpentras, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Provence, Provence-Alpes-Côte D'Azur, France

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