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 attendance, from the number of Google reviews. “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 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.
Adult €5.50Hours, prices and access
No. 3
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. 4
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. 5
Château de Entrevaux (Entrevaux Castle)
Entrevaux
The château of Entrevaux is the name now given to the citadel that overlooks the fortified village in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department. Built on a rocky spur encircled by a bend of the Var river, it was strengthened under Vauban's direction and was never taken by force.
No. 6
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. 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 du Grand Jardin (Grand Jardin Castle)
Valensole
château du Grand Jardin, in Valensole (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence), France. Location, access and practical information.
No. 10
Château de la Palud-sur-Verdon (Palud-sur-Verdon Castle)
La Palud-sur-Verdon
Château de la Palud-sur-Verdon, in La Palud-sur-Verdon (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence), France. Location, access and practical information.
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.