Château de Massillan

Château de Massillan dates from the 12th, 16th, and 18th centuries; the 16th-century core was reputedly used by King Henry II as a hunting lodge, with ties to Diana of Poitiers, his celebrated mistress. The château was converted to a hotel in 1965.

It was later restored by Marie and Didier Perréol, blending original architecture — turrets, courtyard — with contemporary decor and 21st-century artworks. Today its 32 rooms and suites mix antique and contemporary furnishings, set in 10 hectares of parkland surrounded by vineyards, with a gastronomic restaurant and a more casual bistro, both organic and local-product focused.

The reputed connection to Henry II and Diana of Poitiers, while resting on tradition rather than definitive documentation, ties Massillan to one of the most storied royal relationships of the French Renaissance.

The château's three distinct construction centuries — 12th, 16th and 18th — give it a genuinely layered architectural history, with the preserved turrets and courtyard offering visible evidence of each period's contribution.

The Perréol family's restoration approach, deliberately combining historic architecture with contemporary art and design, sets Massillan apart from more period-accurate restorations found elsewhere in the France collection.

The surrounding Côtes du Rhône wine route and the Roman ruins of Orange, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, give guests staying at Massillan easy access to both wine tourism and significant classical antiquity.