Chateau de Fonscolombe

Hidden between the Saint Victoire's mountain and the Mont Ventoux on the horizon, in the vicinity of Aix-en-Provence, is Chateau de Fonscolombe. Classified as a historical monument, it was the home of great humanist families of the XVIIIth century. Located in the heart of Provence, the Castle resonates with three centuries of French history. Chateau de Fonscolombe used to good spirits and where soul and stories make time stand still, cherishes the French art of living and celebrating the good life. The hotel is an invitation to disconnect and daydream. After crossing fields of vines and walking along a magical alley planted with cedars of Lebanon, the gates open onto the Château with its Italian Quattrocento style facade, its row of balconies, and high windows. One of the two doves bears the inscription "carpe diem," which perfectly sums up the spirit of the house.

The Château de Fonscolombe was conceived as a vast family home where each space retains its privacy. One can find the French Garden, belonging to the pre-renaissance style and surrounded by statues representing the four seasons. The Historical Lounges, including the Grand Salon, the Winter Salon, the Writing Room, the Billiard Room, and the Library, allow guests, adults and children alike, to find atmospheres adapted to their interests. Guests will be seduced by the 12-acre park and its ornamental ponds, which reveal treasures such as the Atlas cedar planted by the Queen Mother of England in the 1960s. The former "Bassin du cure" now offers a heated swimming pool for relaxing moments.

This Relais & Châteaux offers 50 elegant rooms and suites with breathtaking views of the parks and gardens of the Château. They maintain the sumptuous decor of their origins, allowing guests to spend pleasant moments in peace without neglecting the romantic touch provided by the wood and marble bathrooms. As for culinary art, the Château de Fonscolombe promises an authentic and refined experience. The gastronomic restaurant "La Table de l'Orangerie," directed by Chef Quentin Durand, offers seasonal cuisine using local products and emphasizing Provence. "L'Orangerie," a luxury restaurant also run by Chef Quentin Durand, promotes Mediterranean cuisine in a family-friendly atmosphere.

Fonscolombe, a proper regional reference with its 31-acre vineyard that dates back to the Roman period, falls onto the northern slopes of the Trévaresse mountain and extends over the sedimentary basin of the lower Durance. A mineral soil and a Mediterranean climate, with a slight continental tendency, leave their mark on the wines. The estate has two organic appellations, the IGP Bouches du Rhône and the AOP Côteaux d'Aix-en-Provence.

The Castle & History

Le Château de Fonscolombe, Relais et Châteaux. The Château is designed as a large house where all the spaces join in the spirit of the family while still preserving individual privacy. Beginning with the front steps, Château life is discernible in each of its 50 rooms. The historical salons of the Château, where echoes of the sumptuous receptions of the Saporta family still resound, are decorated with Genoa leathers and the Chinese wallpapers of the 18th century.

Their restoration and the ceilings with Provencal gypsies, chandeliers, and door frames were entrusted to the best local houses and artisans. All materials have been selected in harmony with the setting to match the glamorous and the pastoral in Provencal style.

The Story of a Re-Birth

A place filled with history. Built in the heart of Provence in the Quattrocento style of the 18th century, this magnificent residence has belonged to two large families of humanists, the Marquis de Saporta and Fonscolombe. Its members are renowned in the sciences and weaponry, particularly in medicine and botany, as evidenced by their inventive friendship with Rabelais, their service with Henri de Navarre, and their correspondence with Darwin.

One of them even participated in signing the treaty granting Corsica to France. Jewel of diplomacy and the art of living, vibrant with the rhythm of adventures and holidays, Fonscolombe resonates with three centuries of the history of France. The Queen of England, Queen Mum, stayed there and planted an atlas cedar, and its shade still shelters us today. The Château grounds include 180 species of trees and plants, a legacy of the famous botanist Gaston de Saporta in the 19th century.

An Architectural Adventure

After eighteen months of work on the rehabilitation and restoration, Château de Fonscolombe reopens its gates. The restoration of the Château has carefully preserved the heritage to keep the spirit and elegance of this place intact. It is the fruit of the vision and determination of Hélène Martel-Massignac, who designed this entire project with great passion.

To rehabilitate Château de Fonscolombe and give it a new life, Hélène Martel-Massignac surrounded herself with a talented team: Corrado Giuli Morghen (Fabrica Traceorum), a heritage architect who worked on many listed buildings and ancient gardens (the Orthodox Cathedral of Nice and the Estrine Museum in Saint-Remy de Provence), and the agency Artefak for the unlisted spaces, led by the duo of Arnaud Behzadi and Vincent Bastie, Architect of numerous hotel projects (Les Bains Paris, Le Burgundy, Le Marignan), in collaboration with the decorator Cathy Crinon.

Dining

The Orangerie and its terraces - L'Orangerie is a modern-designed restaurant. It can seat up to 120 people. L'Orangerie is a destination for those searching for taste, simplicity, and sublime flavors. Whether at breakfast, lunch, or dinner, the menu is a subtle combination of provencal and creative cuisine. The food combines simplicity and flavors with seasonal vegetables from the garden and the best regional suppliers.

The Chef Quentin Durand

Chef Durand's cuisine is modern and full of freshness, influenced by its Breton origins. Passionate about seafood, he fell in love with vegetables in Provence. His signature dish? A seaweed saint-Pierre served with a texture artichoke from Provence and a yuzu nori hollandaise sauce.

La Table de l'Orangerie - Château de Fonscolombe's new gourmet restaurant, La Table de l'Orangerie, has taken up residence in the heart of the chateau's historic lounges and on the South Terrace near the luxury L'Orangerie brasserie. Chef Quentin Durand crafts his dishes to convey his desire to continuously go further and do better, with an appreciation for ingredients, great skill, and a sense of coming together.

Breakfast, Brunch & Room Service - In the morning, a succulent breakfast is served from 7:30 am in the Orangerie, on the terrace, in the gardens, or your room. The Fonscolombe breakfast is a unique event: a gourmet menu served in mini-portions, with sweet and savory delicacies accompanied by freshly squeezed juices, coffees, and teas. Room Service is available 24 hours a day for hotel guests.

The Lounge Bar & Cellar - Located in the historic part of the Castle, opening onto the park, this lounge bar has been arranged to host hotel guests and local clientele in a bright and elegant atmosphere.

In the Park - The pool house and its snack and bar service delightfully complement these moments of relaxation.

Spa & Wellness

Located on the ground floor of the Château, under the sign of the tree of life, the magnificent hammam and its lounge in carved woodwork offer a moment of relaxation after a day of discovering the activities at the Château and the region.

Wellness area

Therapists at the Château de Fonscolombe spotlight relaxation and letting go and offer you a moment of well-being and an actual parenthesis of serenity. Each massage is personalized according to your needs and desires of the moment, whether in terms of pressure, the choice of body parts massaged, the fragrance of the massage oils, or the musical atmosphere. The practitioners will be at your disposal to accompany you in this unique well-being parenthesis.

Experiences

Winery - Rich in Côteaux d'Aix-en-Provence AOC and Bouches-du-Rhône IGP, the Fonscolombe vineyards produce three different colors of wine with fine and fruity noses.

The Parc - The park and the Château gardens are an invitation to travel to the heart of nature as varied as it is lush in the enchanted landscapes of Provence. Petanque, cycling, jogging trail, picnics, and relaxing … so many activities to re-energizing yourself and cultivate the garden: a fun tour of the vegetable garden and the parks where botany fans can discover the 180 listed items.

Play Tennis – The concierge service is at your disposal to book a tennis court 5 minutes from the Château at the Tennis Club of Puy Sainte Reparade.

Fitness Room - A rowing machine whose counterweight is a water-filled vessel that reproduces gentle splashing sounds. A water grinder to work the arm muscles. This machine is inspired by sailboats with hand pedals to crank open the sails. A slim beam cable machine that works all the muscles. This equipment received the Design Award in Germany in 2016. Dumbbells and floor mats.