300 YEARS at CHÂTEAU DU JONQUIER
Soyez les bienvenus! The Château du Jonquier is a bijou of a baroque beauty situated at the foot of the Mount Ventoux:
In 2025, the house celebrates its 300th birthday.
After careful and extensive renovations, this unique 'patrimoine' welcomes you with contemporary comfort within its ancient walls. Spend unforgettable holidays or celebrate your special day, be it an anniversary, a corporate event, or a wedding.
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Chateau du Jonquier has 5 Hectares of historic, enclosed park but is also set at the edge of the medieval market town of Mazan with its cafes, restaurants, shops, winding lanes, and little squares. Mazan also offers plenty more accommodation, as well as a Provencal produce market twice a week. Set your senses free to discover the paradise in Provence.
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THINGS TO DO
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- 10 min drive to Venasques and Pernes-Les-Fontaines, (voted among the most beautiful villages in France)
- 25 min drive to Avignon, (site of the famous Pont leading half across the Rhone river and the medieval Palais des Papes)
- 25 min drive to Isle sur la Sorgue, (the beautiful centre of the French antiques trade) and Orange (famous amphitheatre)
- 25 min drive to the vineyards of Chateauneuf du Pape and its world-famous wines (If the crisp and cool Ventoux need a full-bodied red friend)
- 30 Minutes to the beautiful hilltop villages of Gordes, Roussillon and Ménerbes (the setting of the bestseller 'A year in Provence').
- 60 minutes to fine, sandy blue-flag beaches on the Mediterranean sea (you'll get a fabulous tan!)
- 4 hours cycling up (and 1.15 hours down) the summit of Mt Ventoux (famous from Tour de France)
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GETTING THERE AND AWAY
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- 60 min drive from Marseille Provence Airport for international flights
- 25 minutes drive from Gare TGV Avignon
- 7 min drive from the airfield Edgar Soumille for private jets
- 1 min if you land your helicopter on the lawn
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A House with History
The Chateau du Jonquier has quite some stories to tell...
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The Chateau was built between 1725 and 1744 by François II Bernard de Saint-Andéol and his wife Marie Roman, but the architect who created the house's balanced and beautiful look is unknown. The Romans, wealthy land-owners, loved having a good time: he also launched the famous "Càrri" of Mazan, a folkloric event that continues in a 10-yearly cycle to this day. ​On the eve of the French Revolution in 1789, the family had sold most of their land and houses.
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In 1808, Count François Marie-Joseph de Paule de Sobirats, a writer of Fables and his wife Emilienne de Damas du Rousset became the proprietaires: They built the intimate chapel dedicated to Saint Andiol, the patron saint of the region. It was consecrated by the Archbishop of Avignon on May 3, 1836.
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Count François died childless in 1859, and left the house to his great-nephew, Gustave de Ripert-Barret, a cavalry officer, and his three daughters Marie-Thérèse, Cécile and Françoise. On the castle façade their coat of arms remains: a unicorn and a lion roaring: "Robur (Strength): Make way, make way for Madame.” ​In 1929, Thérèse, Cécile, and Françoise sold their childhood home. The notary commented: "The castle is in a deplorable state, the farm buildings dilapidated, the land neglected ".
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During WWII, the Chateau became a home for deaf-mute and blind girls and was subsequently sold to Mr. Rollin-Pinin (a car parts manufacturer from Marseille) and then the Westphal family, prominent French protestants.
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In 2025 – 300 years after construction began – Ellen and Tobias Alpsten acquired the Château du Jonquier and 4.5 ha of surrounding land. Together with their three sons Linus (21), Caspar (19) and Gustav (15) they plan to turn the estate into “the most beautiful house in Provence”.
