Places We Go – Château-Arnoux

Built in the 16^th century, the Château (castle in French) once had a strategic role because it was built at the intersection of several historic roads that crossed France. Today, The Château serves as the town hall of Château-Arnoux.

This former post house, inn for horses, was built in the 19^th century and has been in the same family for four generations. Today, it is a Relais & Châteaux hotel featuring Michelin star awarded chief Jany Gleize. Celebrities such as Ray Charles, Lucy Liu, and George Clooney have stayed at the hotel during their travels in the area.

The Air-field of Château-Arnoux-St-Auban is known worldwide for gliding due to its unique location between the Alps and the Mediterranean Sea. It is the home of the French national gliding team. Every year from March to September glider pilots from around the world travel to Château-Arnoux to enjoy gliding in this area.

For a few weeks between the end of June and mid-July, the plateau of Valensole is transformed into a purple paradise because of blooming lavender. The tiny flowers are used for multiple applications. The primary use is for perfume. However, other usages include the medical, food, and decoration.

With its clear blue water, five-star hotels, and gourmet restaurants, the fashionable Côte d’Azur is a famous and popular holiday destination. It is also the home of international events such as the Cannes movie festival and the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix.

One of the area highlights is the town of Aix-en Provence. With its many restaurants and cafes, this town also offers a unique shopping experience with its collection of small boutiques. Distinctive souvenirs special to the region such as dried lavender, olive oil, and other traditional French treats can be found in the boutiques located in the city-center.