La Barben
8 km east of Salon de Provence on the D572. 30 km north-west of Aix en Provence.
Discover the small village of La Barben in the Bouches du Rhône department
La Barben is a small, peaceful village in the middle of the Bouches du Rhône department, in the Salon de Provence region. Surrounded by green countryside, La Barben extends over 2,000 hectares of woodland.
The Touloubre river, its tributaries and several springs run through the commune. Even in the hottest weather, there's no shortage of water here.
Activities in La Barben
The château and its garden
La Barben is fortunate to have a superb castle on its territory, classified as a Historic Monument. Remarkable both inside and out, it is open to visitors all year round. Remodeled and enlarged in the 16th and 17th centuries, it was restored in the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, you can visit a château that has been restored to its former glory. French ceilings, gypsum decorations, 17th-century paintings. Every room in the château is furnished and decorated in period style.
The château is also surrounded by a French garden magnificently designed by Le Nôtre (creator of the gardens at Versailles) and a 30-hectare zoological park! This superb medieval fortress (mentioned in 1069) was owned by King René in the 15th century.
Shows at Rocher Mistral
In the heart of the thousand-year-old castle of La Barben, the Rocher Mistral offers you a unique journey through history, with magnificent shows. Come and discover the new medieval stunt show, the puppet theater, visit the castle's leather salon and take part with your children in the park's great treasure hunt. Dive into the Cascavèu revolt, sail with the Chevalier de Forbin and marvel at the night show of dances, stunts and special effects in the intimacy of the French gardens. Book in advance here.
La Barben zoo animal park
The La Barben zoo is the largest animal park in the region, with 33 hectares of rolling hills home to almost 400 animals. Giraffes, elephants, lions, pantheres, tigers, cheetahs, pumas, ostriches, live peacefully in this beautiful square of Provencal hills. A vivarium, an aquarium and a bird house have also been set up in the stable and the old vaulted sheepfold (19th century). Iguanas, alligators, pythons and boas await you. Book your tickets in advance to avoid long queues.
Whether you're looking for a day out or a longer stay, La Barben offers a range of leisure activities that will appeal to children and adults alike, set amidst the superb landscapes of Provence (without the crowds of the seaside).
Our map of La Barben (postal code 13 330)
To find your way around La Barben, you can use our interactive village map. We've included points of interest in the village (town hall, zoo, château...) as well as our recommendations for accommodation in the commune. This will enable you to locate them before booking your stay in La Barben.
What to see
La Barben castle,
Rocher Mistral show.
Zoo
The castle gardens
Leisure activities
Market Thursday and Saturday mornings.
Walking and horse riding. 3 riding centres.
Hotels
Recently renovated hotel with 38 air-conditioned rooms, quality bedding, fiber optic wifi, Canal +. Swimming pool, terrace, restaurant, bar, petanque. Free enclosed private parking. Accepted animals.
Campings
Camping of 27 acres with its tree lined grounds and friendly atmosphere
Bungalows & mobile homes rental 2 to 6 pers. Small 9 acres lake with beach, heated pool, entertainment, kid's club, restaurant.
Accomodations
Hotels.
Bed and breakfast.
Holiday rentals.
Your questions about the village of La Barben
After writing this article, you sent us many questions about this small village in the Bouches-du-Rhône region of France. Here are our answers to your most frequently asked questions, so that all our readers can find out more.
A good restaurant in the village?
If you're looking for a good restaurant in La Barben, we can recommend the Auberge Daudet and the restaurant “La Touloubre”. The food is top quality and the prices not too onerous. You'll have a great time!
Who owns Château de la Barben?
Since 2019, Château de La Barben has been owned by Vianney Audemard d'Alançon, who has launched Rocher Mistral, a well-designed theme park on the history of Provence.
Where is Château de La Barben?
Château de La Barben is located in the village of the same name in the Bouches du Rhône region (Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur). The village is less than 10 km from Salon de Provence.
What animals can you see at La Barben Zoo?
The Zoo de la Barben is home to an incredible wealth of over 130 different species. Among the most impressive animals are Asian elephants, lions and crocodiles.
Who is the mayor of La Barben?
The current mayor of La Barben is Mr. Franck Santos (no party label), elected at the last elections in this pretty little village in the Bouches du Rhône region.
NEIGHBOURING TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Pélissanne (4km), Saint Cannat (8km), Lançon de Provence (10km) and Lambesc (8 km).