Château d'Esparron

The rooms fit the castle’s style, so don’t come expecting the latest technology. Staying here feels like stepping back in time, with a lot of charm. We were warmly welcomed by the Count and the Countess de Castellane, who also gave us a lovely tour of their 13th-century castle. Breakfast in the garden was generous, and there’s free parking in the yard. Pet owners can use the dog-sitting service next door to look after their loved ones. As a Porsche owner, I especially enjoyed the drive from Gréoux-les-Bains, along the river Verdon and lake d'Esparron. It’s one of the best roads I’ve driven so far. Check the Castle's website for more information, and consider spending a night here while visiting the beautiful Alpes-de-Haute-Provence region. We’ll be back.

We felt this was a first-class way to experience French life, and it’s one of those special places in France we’d gladly recommend. The breakfast was delicious and made with the finest produce. Our hosts were charming, helped us so much, and shared advice about the beautiful surroundings. We had a wonderful time at Chateau de Esparron and plan to return.

The castle kitchen made a lovely rustic setting for breakfast, and both the rooms and owners were charming. It’s well placed for the lake and boat rentals to explore the Gorges du Verdon. The Valensole plateau lavender fields and pretty villages like Moustieres-St-Marie and Grenoux - les - Bains are also close by. We loved our stay!

The furnishings were comfortable, and the old chateau has plenty of atmosphere. You won’t find all the modern conveniences here, but for me that kind of stay beats a plush establishment.