Chateau de Grignan

Perched on a rocky promontory overlooking the lavender fields and vineyards of the Drôme Provençale, the Château de Grignan is a Renaissance masterpiece in Southern Europe. Originally a medieval fortress, it was transformed in the 16th century into a sumptuous residential palace by the Adhémar family. The château entered literary history thanks to the Marquise de Sévigné, who stayed there for extended periods with her daughter, the Countess of Grignan, and wrote much of her famous correspondence there. The château's architecture is particularly impressive, notably its monumental terrace, one of the largest in France, which offers a 360-degree panorama stretching from Mont Ventoux to the Prealps. After being dismantled during the French Revolution, the château was magnificently rebuilt in the early 20th century by a wealthy patron, Marie Fontaine. Today, the state rooms feature remarkable period furniture and antique tapestries. In the summer, the main courtyard becomes the setting for prestigious performances under the stars.