Barbentane: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

Barbentane combines historic buildings with the Montagnette Massif and recurring local traditions. Those who choose Barbentane as a holiday destination may wish to rent a holiday apartment.

Culture and History

One striking building is the Tour Anglica. It was built in 1365 by Cardinal Grimoard, the brother of Pope Urban V, and is 28 metres high. The Tour Anglica can only be viewed from the outside. Notre-Dame des Grâces, a Romanesque church from the 12th century, is also part of the historic townscape. Its bell tower and portal have been listed as historic monuments since 1921.

The Château de Barbentane and its park were classified as historic monuments by decree of 9 September 1949. This includes the planting, the architectural and sculptural elements, and the buildings of the farmyard. The Maison des Chevaliers was partially listed as a historic monument under a decree of 16 August 1999. The Maison dite des chevaliers was built at the beginning of the 12th century, in 1133. It has a double gallery of superimposed arcades, which is considered unique in Provence.

The historic centre of Barbentane has been designated a Site Patrimonial Remarquable. The Moulin de Bretoule is the only surviving windmill in Barbentane. The Tour du Cardinal Grimaldi was classified as a historic monument by decree of 3 August 1925. A Saint-Jean banner is also still used in Barbentane today.

Nature and Trails

The Montagnette Massif was designated a protected landscape by decree of 17 December 1970. More than 1,200 hectares of the massif lie in Barbentane. The municipality provides the “Circuit pédestre vert et eaux” walking trail as well as walks suitable for families. The family walk “Balade familiale - Découverte du patrimoine au cœur du centre ancien” leads through the historic centre of Barbentane.

The Montagnette can also be explored by bicycle along signposted routes. One route by My Way Bike leads through olive groves, pine forests and local cultivated areas. The cycling tourism loop “Au coeur de la Montagnette” is lined with Aleppo pines and offers views of Avignon and the Rhône Valley. My Way Bike also offers guided electric mountain bike tours starting from Barbentane.

From 1 June to 30 September, access to forested areas and fire-risk zones in the Bouches-du-Rhône département requires authorisation.

Golf and Local Festivals

Golf de Barbentane has a six-hole course and is suitable for beginners. State-qualified golf instructor Lionel Sellam offers individually tailored lessons there.

The Fête votive of Barbentane takes place every year over five days and includes the last weekend of August. It ends with aioli and the so-called “vachettes piscine”.

Olive Oil from Provence

At the Moulin de Barbentane Ollier, visitors can taste the extra virgin olive oils produced there. They are made from olives harvested in Provence and in the Provence AOC area.

More destination pages: Cabriès, Châteauneuf-Le-Rouge, Simiane-Collongue, Rousset, Auriol, Saint-Chamas, Fos-Sur-Mer, Eyragues

To the higher-level travel overview: Bouches Du Rhone.