Château de Montcaud

Situated in the heart of a large park which features a number of iconic trees, the Château de Montcaud is the perfect hideaway for gourmets and pleasure-seekers who appreciate sleek elegance and extraordinary gastronomy.

Built in 1848 as a private residence of a silk manufacturer, it rose to glory in the hands of his son and philanthropist Florentin Collain. His love for culture, nature and people left lasting traces throughout the region.

Through the conversion into a hotel in the nineteen-nineties, the public was granted access to this magical property in Provence.

After several years of slumber, the Château de Montcaud was completely renovated a second time, and reopened in the summer of 2018 under new management. It has become an oasis of tranquility, style and excellent gastronomy delighting gourmets and those seeking relaxation.

History: a chateau in Provence
Some country estates are designed to resemble fortresses. And then there are those that are cheerful and inviting – that is the essence of Château de Montcaud.

The chateau was built by Alexandre Eugène Collain, who amassed a great fortune trading silk. In 1848, he purchased a large piece of farmland in the northern part of the Languedoc-Roussillon region to make his dream of owning a country estate a reality.

The worthy successor
After Alexandre Eugène Collain’s passing, his son, Florentin Collain, continued his father’s legacy. When his sister died tragically of malaria contracted during her honeymoon, Florentin became the sole heir, and as such he upheld his father’s humanist beliefs. He had a passion for horses and music, employed his own orchestra, and held countless concerts at the chateau.

A deep love of Provence
As mayor of the town of Sabran, Florentin Collain established himself as a patron of the local schools as well as culture and music. He funded a number of projects personally: it was thanks to Florentin that nearby Bagnols-sur-Cèze became the first town in the region with a working telephone.

To this day, his generosity can still be seen in the form of the church in Combes along with countless fountains, all of which he had built with his own resources.

Well-deserved accolades
What was truly remarkable for the time was the work Florentin Collin did to help the working class of the region: farm workers, servants and labourers. As a member of the General Council of the department of Gard and the mayor of Sabran, he spent 38 years addressing the social issues affecting this group.

As a result of his genuine concern for others and his good deeds, he was given the title of Chevalier, or knight, in the French Legion of Honour in 1934.

From country estate to hotel
Florentin Collain sold the chateau to his godson Paul Constant, who later bequeathed it to his seven children. The property changed hands numerous times, and was all but abandoned before hotelier Rudy Baur breathed new life into the estate in 1992 by turning it into a hotel.

Restored to its former glory
After closing in 2013, the chateau once again went into hibernation. In 2016, Swiss businessman Jürg Witmer acquired the property. His goal was to build a hotel surrounded by a landscaped park that would be clearly different and would set new standards in the region.

He entrusted the renovations and the operation of the hotel to his son-in-law Rolf Bertschi, a hotelier with a wealth of international experience, and his daughter Andrea. Their job is to rekindle the building’s original spirit and give Château de Montcaud a new lease on life.

1848
Alexandre Eugène Collain, who amassed a great deal of wealth as a silk merchant, purchases the Montcaud estate with 100 hectares of farmland.

1848 to 1892
He designs the chateau and its outbuildings and begins construction of both the buildings and the surrounding park.

1875
Collain holds a large reception to celebrate the opening of Château de Montcaud.

1898
Alexandre Eugène Collain dies. The estate is passed on to Collain’s only son, Florentin.

1892 to 1934
Florentin Collain is elected mayor of Sabran and holds this office for 38 years

1939
Collain sells the chateau to his godson Paul Constant, who later bequeaths it to his seven children.

1963
Paul Constant’s oldest son purchases the estate from the community of co-heirs. After moving into the gatehouse, he allows the chateau to fall into disuse.

1990
The estate is sold to Rudy Baur.

1992
Rudy Baur, Provence enthusiast and hotelier, brings the chateau back to life and opens Château de Montcaud as a hotel after two years of renovations.

2013
Château de Montcaud closes.

2016
Swiss businessman Jürg Witmer acquires the chateau and the surrounding park.

2017 to 2018
Château de Montcaud is comprehensively restored and renovated. The park is also replanted and redesigned according to the original plans.

2018
The hotel reopens its doors in its full splendour.

Philosophy: the luxury of simplicity
What does fulfilment look like? Is it really the feeling of abundance, of having more of everything, of going higher and higher, faster, further? Or is it not much more interesting to pare things down to the essentials, to go back to basics? We believe that we have found an answer to this question.

Comfort and cuisine
Château de Montcaud offers the perfect blend of modern comfort, sleek elegance, haute cuisine and exceptional service. And all nestled in the heart of an impeccably groomed natural landscape and bathed in that incomparable sunlight that you can only find in the South of France.

Quality over quantity
We call it le luxe de la simplicité or “the luxury of simplicity”. We have deliberately foregone everything unnecessary. Everything that might be distracting. Everything that could be bothersome. What’s left is a deep sense of ease, calm and serenity that allows you to forget your everyday life.

Everyone is welcome
Château de Montcaud was designed as one man’s dream estate. Today, everyone who stays with us can experience that dream. We want to make your every wish come true and satisfy your every desire.

While you are our guests, we will do everything in our power to ensure that you enjoy your stay to the fullest and that everything runs smoothly.

Rooms and suites
If you had to find a word that perfectly sums up the interior design in our rooms and suites, it would be épuré – a French word that can be translated as clean, refined or classic.

The rooms and suites are designed to allow you to relax after a busy day, escape the bright sunlight of southern France, and recharge your batteries for another day of adventure and excitement.

L’Appartement: views of the chateau
Located in the Le Mas building, our luxurious holiday flat features a living room filled with natural light, a bathroom and a bedroom as well as a kitchenette. Relax in front of the open fireplace, and enjoy the spectacular views of the chateau and the park with all hotel services at your disposal.

La Maison: feel at home
Would you like to stay at Château de Montcaud while enjoying the privacy of your own home? Then our charming gatehouse at the entrance of the park is perfect for you. The two-storey detached house offers the comfort of a fully furnished home, including a kitchen, a washer and a dryer.

A spacious, secluded terrace with a barbecue grill is the perfect place to relax and enjoy your holidays in privacy. All the hotel’s services including the pool in the park are available upon request.

Duplex Suites: space and privacy
Our two Duplex Suites offer unparalleled comfort. Each suite features several spacious living areas spread out over two storeys and two double bedrooms on the top floor of the chateau. Both bedrooms have a private, ensuite bathroom, and a guest powder room is on the entrance level.

The mezzanine level is equipped with a comfortable chaise longue and a wine cooler, and from the suite’s south-facing balcony you can enjoy unforgettable views of the park and beyond.

Culinary highlights
A trip to Château de Montcaud is worth it for the food alone. With a top chef in the kitchen, a neighbourhood eatery and a gourmet restaurant, as well as a large number of culinary events throughout the year, the chateau is a paradise for foodies.

Bistro de Montcaud: French savoir-vivre
What is a French bistro? It’s a meeting place for the neighbourhood, a casual place to grab a bite and a piece of French cultural heritage all in one. At the Bistro de Montcaud we want to allow all of our visitors to experience our philosophy of “the luxury of simplicity”.

Open to everything and everyone
We offer uncomplicated yet perfectly executed cuisine and a place to relax and indulge, whether it’s for a light lunch, a laid-back dinner or a hearty breakfast for our guests. Or how about an aperitif in the shade of the sycamore trees on our beautiful terrace?

Simple yet ambitious
When you walk into a French bistro, you expect certain things. Just like when you walk into your favourite restaurant, you look forward to well-known menus, your favourite dishes and familiar flavours. We want to meet these expectations – and up the ante with surprising nuances.

Classic dishes and fresh market specials
The menu at the Bistro de Montcaud also follows our philosophy of “less is more” and includes classic French fare such as côte de boeuf, a rich bouillabaisse or moules et frites, supplemented by specials. For lunch we also offer a weekly formule, a multi-course menu for a fixed price.

Regional wines
The wine list features familiar names as well as niche wines from regional vintners whom we know personally. And, in typical French bistro style, you can also order a variety of wines by the glass.

Gourmet restaurant Le Cèdre de Montcaud
Just like the Bistro de Montcaud, our gourmet restaurant Le Cèdre de Montcaud is located in the Le Mas building, which formerly housed the estate’s stables.

Large windows provide breathtaking views of the park and a charming courtyard invites you to have your meal outside under the stars or under the sun umbrellas, depending on the weather.

Cuisine terre et mer – the best of the land and the sea
The restaurant Le Cèdre de Montcaud serves regional cuisine. Whenever possible, the ingredients are sourced from the immediate vicinity and from the best suppliers.

We are one of the few restaurants in the region to offer cuisine terre et mer – which means you can expect to see a great deal of fresh fish and shellfish on the menu. Additionally, we serve top-quality meat from local butchers who take the time to allow their cuts of meat to mature properly.

Variety and surprises
At Le Cèdre de Montcaud, we offer a tempting menu dégustation which changes regularly, as well as a number of delicious, seasonal à-la-carte dishes. Would you prefer a vegetarian meal? Or perhaps you have dietary restrictions? Please don’t hesitate to let us know what you need – we are happy to accommodate you.

Wines – the best of France
Sunshine, warm weather, fertile soils – France is home to the perfect terroir for exceptional wines. For this reason, we quickly decided that we would only serve French wines with a focus on small, local wineries from the South of France whose owners we know personally. We invite you to peruse our wine list and discover some of the insider tips and little-known gems that we have assembled.

Sunday brunch with jazz
The Sunday jazz brunch at Château de Montcaud was a highly popular event in the region for many years. We want to continue this lovely tradition while putting our own unique spin on it.

Southern French flair
In the summer season, Sunday is brunch day in Château de Montcaud’s park. Under the shade of the chestnut trees, the fountain serves as a buffet for cold dishes, while our ears are treated to their own feast by a local jazz band.

Prepared and served fresh
Meat, fish and vegetables are prepared on the grill à la minute right before your eyes. We also serve terrines, sumptuous salads, fresh seafood, warm bread straight from the oven, home-made pastries, a selection of cheeses and much more. Be sure to book a table for our Sunday brunch well in advance: our team is happy to make a reservation for you.

Matthieu Hervé: a rising star
Our head chef Matthieu Hervé was first recommended to us in December 2017. From the moment we met him we knew that he was the right man for the job, we were easily convinced that he had all the necessary skills and qualities to put Château de Montcaud on the culinary map of Provence.

A deep connection to the ocean
For Matthieu Hervé, who is just 32 years old, cooking is not just a job, it’s an obsession. Born in Normandy, coastal blood flows through his veins, and he has a special affinity for fish and seafood, which is perfect because Château de Montcaud is located just an hour from the coast by car.

Under expert tutelage
Finding Matthieu Hervé was a stroke of luck for us: he brings with him a great deal of knowledge and experience that he has acquired working under some of the greatest chefs in the world. Now he is ready to leave his mark on the culinary scene.

Perfection with a surprising twist
How to best describe Matthieu Hervé’s culinary style? Matthieu manages to prepare exceptional ingredients in a way that fully releases their flavours.

At the same time, every one of his creations includes a small, surprising twist without coming across as pretentious or forced. And, last but not least, at his previous position under top chef Peter Knogl, he learned how to use sauces and jus to add the perfect finishing touch to any dish.

A place to experiment
For Matthieu Hervé to have the space and inspiration to continue to evolve and hone his skills, we have turned a former pigeon loft into his own private laboratory – a fully fitted test kitchen far away from the hustle and bustle of the restaurant. We can’t wait to see what he will create!

At your service
With a near-perfect backdrop, we don’t want to leave anything to chance: state-of-the-art seminar rooms for your company events, endless possibilities for your private celebrations. And to top it off, professional support and service.

Seminars: perfectly organised for you
When you’re hosting a seminar, you have enough on your plate – the last things you want to deal with are technical issues, a lack of seating or other details. We are happy to assist you during your event and take these sorts of problems off your hands.

Endless possibilities
From large conferences, seminars and team-building excursions to exclusive board meetings, Château de Montcaud is the ideal place to work on the future of your business in an inspiring environment. Several airports, the Avignon TGV train station and the A7 and A9 motorways guarantee easy arrival and departure.

Perfect infrastructure
The event area of the Château de Montcaud is located in the Mas building, embedded in the 12-acre estate park. Two conference rooms have plenty of natural daylight and are equipped with state-of-the-art conference technology.

Fresh air, fresh ideas
A special highlight are the adjacent outdoor areas. Have your discussions or group work in the shade of our centuries-old trees or take a break for a boules tournament; our vast estate park offers endless possibilities and is a source of inspiration for every seminar – we are happy to share our thoughts and look forward to your ideas!

We keep things running smoothly
Both meeting rooms are equipped with state-of-the art technology: the user-friendly BENQ InstaShow system allows for wireless presentations on large flat screens (85-inch), microphone and built-in speakers included.

Tables and chairs in both rooms can be arranged according to your wishes and ideas. Air conditioning for the hot days and the heating for the cold guarantee a perfect room climate.

Catering for gourmets
During lunch and coffee breaks, we are happy to treat your guests to an array of culinary delights. Whether it’s for a coffee break, a lunch between two sessions or a joint dinner at the end of a successful day, your participants will be thrilled by our chef Matthieu Hervé’s creativity. Upon interest, you can also prepare your own meal as part of a cooking course.

Work hard, play hard
Residential groups can unwind within the estate walls with sporting activities such as swimming, tennis or jogging, or by relaxing in the peace of nature.

Château de Montcaud also lies in a very diverse region which can be easily explored in groups or individually. We are happy to advise you on cultural, sporting or culinary excursions and team-building activities.

Contact: book early and benefit
The sooner you get in touch with us, the more time we have to help organise your event. We are happy to help you put together a menu, book secretariat services or organise a printer so that you can print out daily handouts. Whether you have technical, logistical or catering needs: we’ll do everything we can to make your seminar a success.

Private events: celebrate with us
We know from the history of the chateau that its residents loved to throw lavish parties and often did so: Florentin Collain, the son of Château de Montcaud’s builder, even employed his own orchestra. We want to continue in the spirit of those happy times.

Everything from a single source
Are you looking for a tasteful yet down-to-earth venue for a private party? Whether you are celebrating your wedding, birthday, family reunion or any other occasion: with its excellent catering options and elegant overnight accommodations, our chateau is the perfect location for unforgettable events.

How many guests would you like to invite?
Our restaurant can seat up to 70 people indoors. Adding the bistro and the outdoor area, we can accommodate up to twice that many.

Menus: choose your own adventure
When you hold your private event at Château de Montcaud, your wish is our command. And that includes creating your own unique menu.

We are happy to sit down with you, hear what you have in mind, and offer you our tried and tested tips when it comes to wine pairings, timing and much more. We are happy to take care of all the details for your event so that all that’s left for you to do is enjoy.

Contact: book your event today
One advantage of a smaller hotel is that you have the opportunity to sit down and plan your event with the people in charge. Hotel manager Rolf Bertschi and Chef Matthieu Hervé are available for you every step of the way and are happy to personally ensure that your celebration is a complete success.

The sooner we hear from you, the more available dates we will have to offer you and the more time we will have to take care of the planning.

Park: lush and lovingly restored
Château de Montcaud is surrounded by five hectares (12 acres) of gardens and park lands. When the chateau was built in the mid 19th century, the dreamy, romantic garden was a playful, light-hearted answer to the strict, geometric designs of the current period.

Restored to its former glory
In 2016, the first time we visited the hotel in the South of France and walked through its magnificent park, we were reminded of Sleeping Beauty: uninviting, overgrown, an impenetrable jungle where you could barely make out the paths.

The talented arborist Marc Brillat-Savarin helped us to bring the park back to life, as did an accidental discovery: in the midst of renovations we stumbled upon the original plans for the park from 1892.

A long road
With this lofty goal in mind, we chopped 250 cubic metres of wood, removed kilometres of brambles, opened up lines of sight and planted more than 3500 new plants.

A job that, of course, is as restless as nature itself. We continuously check up on our tree population’s health, sick plants are removed and young ones are put in their place.

The whole world in one park in Provence
In his park, former silk trader and founding father of Château de Montcaud, Alexandre Eugène Collain, wanted to create an idealised version of nature.

Today, we can admire his vision in all its glory: with more than 140 types of mature trees from around the world (e.g. cedar, sequoia und gingko), the park invites guests and visitors to experience a romantically glorified interpretation of nature.

Silk and Roses
On your stroll through our hotel’s park you will thus come across trees, bushes and flowers, as well as accommodating features: the basin in front of the chateau is home to lotus plants, a homage to the origin of silk in the Far East, their large leaves offering shade and refuge to koi and goldfish.

The basin is surrounded by four flower beds, which house several of the more than 40 rose species to be found throughout the park.

History made of cement
Often overlooked, a historic grotto lies at the entrance of the forest, which most of the time, guests only notice when looking out of the window of their north-facing rooms. The imitation of a cave looking over a large water basin, is made of cement.

Complete with a water features and stalactites, it is accessible both inside and on top. In summer the cave is pleasantly cool, reflecting its original purpose. A bridge sculpture over the basin illustrates what the cave is today: a work of art of an original French craft worthy of protection – the art of rocaille.

Scents of Provence
Provence has been famously supplying perfumeries with valuable raw materials for centuries. Oceans of lavender stretch across the landscape, filling the air with their seductive fragrance.

We wanted to pay homage to the art of fragrances in the chateau hotel’s park: our jardin olfactif contains four beds of 30 square meters each that are to be filled with scented or fragrant plants which are traditionally used to make perfumes.

Southern French flavours
We don’t have to go far for our fresh herbs: it’s around 50 steps, to be exact, from the herb garden to the restaurant kitchen.

Chef Matthieu Hervé can use the chateau’s lushly planted herb garden to create the unique olfactory palette that he uses every day in his delicious dishes. If you look closely, you will most likely recognise one or two of the herbs or leaves on your plate.

Popular pastimes
It is impossible to imagine the park of a hotel in Provence without three other elements, which were also already included in the original plans: a swimming pool, a boules court and a tennis court.

So if you decide to spend most of your stay at the Château de Montcaud within the estate walls, you will find plenty of variety to engage your senses!

Children: welcome at the chateau
Imagine yourself lying comfortably on a sunbed by the pool, finally reading THAT book. Or, your children playing in the park while you enjoy the peace and quiet around you: at Château de Montcaud we have made it our mission to satisfy both your needs and those of your children.

You will enjoy the charm of our castle hotel – stylish, exclusive and family-friendly. Your children can experience entertainment in nature or in the pool – far away from the usual sensory overload, our estate park is one big adventure playground.

The perfect family holiday
A chateau hotel is not a museum which is why children are more than welcome to stay with us. There is plenty of room in the park for a game of hide-and-seek, followed by a refreshing dip in the pool.

The tennis court, ping-pong table and boule pistes are also there to make our younger guests happy. Rackets, balls and other outdoor toys are available at the reception.

The (room) choice is yours
Complimentary baby beds are available for babies and toddlers under three years of age. We are happy to provide an extra bed for older children, at a small daily rate (one per room as of Privilège category). In the Privilège category, it is also possible to book two rooms with a connecting door.

Complete comfort
For the perfect family holiday, we particularly recommend our Duplex Suites: in addition to the living room, mezzanine level with chaise longue and balcony for the whole family, they include a spacious master bedroom with bathroom for the parents and a second bedroom with private bathroom for your children.

For extended families
A whole floor is available for families in Le Mas: L’Appartement and two Classic rooms are connected by a private corridor, which is separated from the public area by a lockable door. Thus, up to six people can benefit from a comfortable holiday apartment with three en-suite bedrooms, a living-room and a kitchenette.

A house within the hotel
Families looking to self-cater can stay at the property’s charming former gatehouse La Maison, offering the comfort of a fully furnished home, with all the hotel’s services available upon request.

Growing Gourmets
Everyone is very welcome in our bistro. We have created a special menu for our youngest guests, but also the adults’ menu features culinary delights to inspire little gourmets. Small connoisseurs are also most welcome to join their parents in the fine-dining outlet Le Cèdre de Montcaud.

Sunday brunch in the castle park
A special culinary highlight is our Sunday brunch, where no one has to sit at the table for a long time if their little legs are aching to move: between the individual courses to the buffet, it is easy to stop for a short while to listen to the music and admire the instruments or go for a quick run across the lawn.

Babysitting services
Are you longing for a romantic evening for two? Or would you like to take a quiet stroll through an old town and make a detour to the museum? If you wish, we would be happy to organize childcare for your children so that you too can make the most of your holidays.

Pets: four-legged friends welcome!
The Château de Montcaud welcomes well-behaved dogs. If your furry friend stays with you, we kindly ask you to please be considerate of our other guests, and understand that we charge a small additional fee for a thorough end-cleaning of your room.

Aside from our Classic rooms and “L’Appartement”, all room categories are open to guests traveling with pets (one per room). Dogs may be brought to Bistro de Montcaud, however, they are not allowed at our gourmet restaurant Le Cèdre de Montcaud. Thank you for your understanding!

Sports and Culture
Whether you prefer staying in motion or you like to take in every detail of a work of art – in and around the Château de Montcaud there is are activities to suit every taste.

Situated between three world-famous regions (Provence, Ardèche and Camargue), the Cèze valley is the ideal starting point for excursions of all kinds. And if you don’t want to leave, just stay here and enjoy the estate and its vast park.

Yoga: relaxing in Provence
There is hardly a place more perfect for a sun salutation than a beautiful park in southern France in the warm, golden sunshine. If you love yoga, being able to practice on a regular basis and in a peaceful setting is paramount to your well-being.

We completely understand: hotel manager Andrea Bertschi is a dedicated yoga practitioner herself and has tested the most beautiful corners of our estate to say with a great deal of certainty that there is hardly a more inspiring environment.

Peace and tranquility of nature
Roll out your yoga mat and allow yourself some “me-time” in the shade of the park’s majestic trees. Benefit from a privileged moment, recharge your batteries and combine your physical and mental potential with a place that promotes peace and harmony – in the heart of our little oasis in Provence.

Classes for everyone
Would you prefer to practice under the guidance of an experienced teacher? We invite beginners as well as more seasoned yogis to join our classes and practice posture, breathing and meditation with a trained yoga instructor.

Time out
From time to time, we offer multiple-day yoga retreats that will include lessons in the park and outdoor meditation in an inspiring environment.

A balanced diet will ensure that you have enough energy to discover the most beautiful corners of our enchanting region on the edge of Provence if you’d like to venture out in your free time. Our reception staff is happy to tell you more about our upcoming yoga courses and events.

Swim and relax: in and around the pool
If you know summer in Provence, you know it can get hot. In the style of the rest of southern France, mercury often rises to over 25-30°, temperatures that visitors from not quite as warm or sunny places will find hot enough to look for ways to refresh themselves. And what could be more pleasant than a swim in the cool water?

A pool move
Loyal guests of the “old” Château de Montcaud will immediately notice: our swimming pool has moved to a new location. Lined by plane and olive trees, the main path across the hotel estate leads to a large gate at the far end (visitor from old restaurant times may recognize this as well), which completes the fence around the newly laid out pool.

Hotel guests can easily access the pool area through the hotel basement, therefore avoiding having to pass the lobby.

We have extended the swimming season
Not just hot summer days are best spent by the pool. Besides being another wonderful spot of peace and quiet, our swimming pool is just as inviting on the beautiful warm and sunny days before and after the main summer season.

The possibility of heating the pool and covering it against the weather make a dip in the water just as appealing. And if it is still too cold in the water, you can enjoy the view of the château or the seasonally changing park on a deck chair – perhaps over an aperitif.

Fun for all
Our swimming pool can satisfy several preferences for sun and water bathing: at any time of day the main château building or the surrounding trees in one or the other corner around the pool provide shade. Sun worshippers can alternate with shadow seekers on site.

There are enough sun beds available for everyone. For our little guests and those who only prefer to cool their feet, we have built a spacious pool entrance area, which allows splashing in the shallow water.

And if you prefer a bath in pure nature to a bath by the water, you are most welcome to place your deckchair under your favourite tree.

Cycling: Move over, Mont Ventoux
Château de Montcaud lies in-midst a perfect cycling region, making it the ideal home base for cycling enthusiasts of all levels. From open scenery, hills to mountains, canals to gorges, the geographic setting is spectacular, and not surprisingly, home to several UNESCO world heritage sites.

Rich history has shaped the local towns and villages, providing plenty of cultural and historic points of interest along the cycling routes. To top it off, there is always a vineyard in sight, and often enough the chance to taste some local vintage.

Something to suit all tastes and skills
Routes in the vicinity are still relatively unknown, which means there are no cycling masses, and hardly any big groups. There are routes to suit all levels, which can easily be discovered individually. Major ascents/descents can be avoided or sought out.

For pros, famous Tour de France étape Mont Ventoux is within reach, however, we would recommend discovering this specific area of the Provence during the low season due to mass tourism in the area in the summer.

Relax and recharge
After a day on the road, Château de Montcaud is a tranquil oasis to return to. Relax in the shade of the century-old trees, cool-off in the pool, and enjoy a well-deserved aperitif before indulging in a gourmet meal to charge the batteries.

If desired, meals can be organised to suit specific diets. For tired muscles, it is also possible to book an on-site massage.

At your service
Discover the area on your own, using your own gear. Alternatively, we can organise a tour, and help you rent everything you need for a perfect cycle holiday.

Guests of the Château de Montcaud can also use the hotel’s own bicycles with or without electric drive free of charge (subject to availability). There is secured parking for your vehicle on site, as well as a bicycle garage and a workshop for cycles with the necessary equipment to fix and adjust your cycling gear.

The sporty side of Provence
Are you the kind of person who can best relax by exercising? Around Château de Montcaud, there is certainly something to fit every sporting taste.

A jog in the park
It is highly doubtful that Alexandre Eugène Collain could have imagined that someday people would be moving through his park at a running pace to keep fit. But, coincidentally, the path along the park walls is exactly 800 metres long – the perfect length for a lap.

The tall trees in the park offer protection from the wind and the sun. Rolf Bertschi’s personal lap record is under four minutes. And yours? Or perhaps you’re interested in a longer run? Our staff is happy to share the best routes with you.

Tennis: Game, set and match under cedar trees
Most tennis courts are practically indistinguishable from one another. A tennis court in a carefully manicured park, however, has that special something: in the summer months it smells pleasantly like Atlas cedar, and the tall trees offer protection from the sun and the wind.

The court is well hidden behind our restaurants. And, if you don’t want to bring your own equipment, we are happy to lend you rackets and balls.

Pétanque (Boules): Southern French tradition
Our park is home to an icon of the classic southern French village square: two pétanque pistes are set next to the path in the south-eastern corner of the estate.

Work on your aim in the shade of century-old trees, all the while keeping an eye on the chateau and what goes on in front of it. Do you still need some tuition? One of our southern French employees will be happy to introduce you to the rules of the game – and serve you a pastis to go with it.

Other kinds of sport
Are you looking for a different kind of movement? We are sure we’ve got just what you’re looking for!

Simply ask our front office staff – we are happy to organise a variety of activities for you during your stay, from horse riding to canoe trips on the Cèze all the way to tandem skydiving. And we can also help you get there: we have bikes and e-bikes for hire and can also organise transport.

Wine: tastings, tours and more
Our chateau is located in a world-renowned wine-growing region and we maintain close personal relationships with our local suppliers. Upon request, we are happy to organise private wine tours, tastings and exclusive glimpses into the art of wine pressing.

Our sommelier knows a number of famous vintners from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes du Rhône and Tavel (rosé) as well as smaller but no less interesting winemakers from the region, and is happy to share his knowledge with you.

Culture: discover Provence’s best-kept secrets
From megalithic dolmens to Roman aqueducts and amphitheatres all the way to medieval cathedrals: Provence has a wealth of riches to offer art lovers and history buffs.

Not to mention the countless festivals and concerts that attract music and art fans from around the world every summer. We are happy to organise tickets, private tours or excursions led by expert guides for you.

• Festival d’Avignon
• Les Chorégies d’Orange
• Carrières de Lumières in Les Baux-de-Provence
• Les Rencontres d’Arles, photography festival
• Music Festival in Aix en Provence
• Tours of Avignon, Pont d’Avignon

Day trips: something for everyone
Our region has so many spectacular destinations and natural wonders that we can hardly name them all. But we promise that we will spare no effort to ensure that you leave our hotel with wonderful memories that will last a lifetime.

Whether you want to take a trip to the L’Occitane en Provence factory or a buggy tour through the vineyards, visit an authentic French outdoor market or enjoy a gourmet tour of local farms and wineries: simply ask our front office staff – we are happy to organise the perfect outing for you. Recommended day trips:

• A visit to the market in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
• A trip to the L’Occitane en Provence factory in Manosque
• A helicopter flight over Saint-Jean-du-Gard
• Quad tours in Uzès
• The antiques market in Barjac (10 to 15 August)
• A trip to the bamboo forest outside of Anduze
• Pont du Gard
• The Aven d’Orgnac stalactite caves
• A tour of the gorges of Les Concluses de Lussan
• The grotto of Saint-Marcel-d’Ardèche
• The historical La Chartreuse de Valbonne monastery

Website: www.chateaudemontcaud.com

Rooms: 26

Price: from 227 EUR per night