Now classified 4 stars, the Château de Mazan was bought in 2019 by the French and independent hotel group, Elegant Properties Collection. Under the leadership of Franck Jaulneau, Director and Partner of the group, and Claire Annicchiarico, Architect, renovations were undertaken to restore the Château to all its beauty, authenticity and elegance, all with a touch of modernity. The key words of the renovation were: "18th century château", "Provence" and "2020".
An emblematic place
The former home of the Sade family
Originally from Avignon, this family has been linked to Mazan since the 14th century. They settled in a large residence built in the 15th century near the parish church of Mazan, of which remains still exist today, including the Tour de Sade.
In August 1634, Jean Baptiste de Sade bought the house of Esprit de Boutin which was located on the current site of the Château. Although enlarged and modernized, this house was demolished at the beginning of the 18th century to make way for the current Château, designed by the Franque Brothers, architects.
The Château is built in Crillon limestone, on 3 levels, not including the lower level housing the service rooms, including the kitchens. Without any certainty, it is said that from this last level there was a tunnel connecting the Castle to the village church.
The Castle was mainly occupied by the Father of the Marquis de Sade who died there in 1767, the date on which the Marquis took possession of the place and devoted all his attention to it. From that year onwards, he undertook numerous modernization works in order to be able to stay there with dignity.
In 1772, he began to organize numerous festivals and theatrical performances between May and October. He had a theatre built by the carpenter Bernus in the garden, where from 3 May 1772 a troupe of actors hired in Marseille would perform around twenty plays based on texts by authors such as Destouches, Regnard, Voltaire, Barthe, etc. The first theatre festival in France was born.
In 1774, the Marquis de Sade returned to Mazan after his escape from the fortress of Miolans to find refuge there.
The Château was pillaged and devastated during the Revolution and was declared "unhouseable" in 1792. It remained in the patrimony of the de Sade family until 1854.
Since 2019 The major renovation
Reopening in 2020 Let's keep writing history
Now, it is up to you to write the History of the Château de Mazan. Having become the charming hotel on Mont Ventoux that you know, the Château de Mazan continues to cross the ages and eras. Its history is written according to the passages of our visitors. Your excursions, your experiences, your stays and your trips, will continue to bring to life this Château on which time has no hold.