The 10 most beautiful castles in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
10 châteaux
Chosen among 39 recorded castles
What to see in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence when you only have a weekend: the 10 most visited castles according to their visitors’ reviews, among those open to the public whose visiting conditions we checked on the official website. For each: what you see, the entry price, the link to the full entry.
Ranked by renown: how often their name is searched on Google each month, and how many reviews visitors have left. “Beautiful” is your word; what we measure is what visitors choose.
No. 1
Château de Sauvan (Sauvan Castle)
Mane
In Mane, close to Forcalquier, the Château de Sauvan displays a classical 18th-century design that earned it the nickname 'Little Trianon of Provence'.
Adult €12Hours, prices and access
No. 2
Château Sainte-Marguerite de Pierrevert
Pierrevert
Château Sainte-Marguerite is a fortified structure in Pierrevert with origins traceable to the 13th century. During the 16th century, it was extensively remodeled into a Renaissance manor by a family of Aix parliamentarians, as evidenced by its architectural and decorative elements.
No. 3
Citadelle d'Entrevaux
Entrevaux
The citadel of Entrevaux stands on a rocky spur overlooking the village, within a bend of the Var river. It can only be reached on foot, along a fortified path that winds up nine ramps from the medieval streets below.
No. 4
Château de Simiane-la-Rotonde
Simiane-la-Rotonde
Set at the tip of a rocky spur above the village of Simiane-la-Rotonde, this medieval castle takes its name from its twelve-sided keep, built between 1190 and 1210 by the Agoult family.
No. 5
Château des Magnans (Magnans Castle)
Jausiers
On the edge of Jausiers, along the road leading to the Col de la Bonette, a white mansion in a fanciful medieval style stands out against the mountain scenery. Built in the early 20th century for a merchant who made his fortune in Mexico, the château des Magnans takes its name from the valley's former silk industry.
No. 6
Castle of Allemagne-en-Provence
Allemagne-en-Provence
Raised on a keep already mentioned in 1380 beside the Colostre river, this castle in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence combines a medieval tower, Renaissance wings and features of a Provençal farmhouse.
Adult €10Hours, prices and access
No. 7
Château de Mison (Mison Castle)
Mison
Perched on a rocky spur above the confluence of the Méouge and Buëch rivers, the ruins of Mison castle illustrate the medieval military architecture of Provence.
Free entryHours, prices and access
No. 8
Citadelle de Mane
Mane
Standing on a hill above Mane, at the gateway to Forcalquier, this twelfth-century citadel is the only fortification in Haute-Provence to have survived complete. A double spiral wall wraps around the hill and shelters a residence with mullioned windows.
No. 9
Château d'Esparron-de-Verdon
Esparron-de-Verdon
The Château d'Esparron-de-Verdon stands on a rocky spur above the village, close to the lake that shares its name. Its square keep, raised before 1248, forms the core of a residence extended and reshaped from the Middle Ages through the 18th century.
No. 10
Château de Château-Arnoux
Château-Arnoux-Saint-Auban
Located in Château-Arnoux-Saint-Auban, in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department, this château was largely built in the early 16th century, with construction dated to 1515. Its stair turret, decorated with painted interior ornamentation, stands out alongside its façades and roofs, typical of Provençal Renaissance…
Every castle in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence (39)Which ones open this weekend?
Frequently asked questions
- What is the most beautiful castle in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence?
- The most visited in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence is Château de Sauvan, first in this selection according to its visitors’ reviews. All 10 castles listed are open to visitors with checked hours.
- How much does a visit cost?
- The adult entry price is shown under each castle when the official website publishes it; 1 of these castles are free.
- How is this selection made?
- Among the 39 castles recorded in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, we keep those open to the public with a photo, then rank by number of Google reviews. No castle pays to appear.