La Barben

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.