Château de la Gabelle

The views are a real plus, and the price seemed reasonable. This remote château looks out over lavender fields and distant mountain ranges. It’s a large 12th-century French building, refurbished but with plenty of potential for the future. The restaurant offers set menus, though our meals didn’t meet the standard we’d expect of French cuisine and could use some work. The wine list might suit the menus better with a mix of local organic bottles and more mainstream options. With a few adjustments, this could be a great place. It’s worth visiting, and we hope to return in a few years to see how the business has developed.

We had a very good stay, thanks in part to the friendly staff and great service. The location among the lavender fields is lovely, especially from June 20 - July 10. There were a few spider webs and the shower hose was broken, and it felt a little overpriced. Breakfast was included, but very basic.

The owner was so friendly, even though we couldn’t speak any French. He showed us around the Chateau and explained its history. We also watched an informative video, with English subtitles, about the farm and how the lavender oil is made. We hadn’t realized there was a restaurant and accommodation there until we arrived. We had to drive back to Avignon before sunset, otherwise we’d have loved to stay and have dinner. We’d come to the lavender festival in Ferrassières and bought lavender oil and sweets. The products were lovely, especially the candy, which had a strong lavender flavour. I wish I’d bought more!

We took a lovely nature walk that explained the château’s history and its links to the lavender industry. There were plenty of wildflowers to spot, and the views of Mont Ventoux were fantastic. Though it’s remote, the place had a lively feel, with lots of friendly interaction between staff and visitors.