Châteauneuf le Rouge

Last update on Dec 13, 2024

10 km east of Aix en Provence via the A8 or the N7.

Chateauneuf le Rouge is a small town situated between Aix en Provence and Saint Maximin which takes its name from both the red colour of the soil (clay and ochre) as well as the chateau built inside its boundaries in the 16th century and later restored in the 18th century.

The chateau, which today shelters the town-hall, is surrounded by 8 hectares of park-land. From the elegant gardens which encircle the chateau, you can admire in particular a "labyrinthe de buis" which appears to be more than 100 years old.
After having walked through one of the three main entrances to the chateau, you will discover a paved interior court-yard. On the second floor the Arteum Museum displays Provencal paintings from 1850 to the present day, together with the reconstruction of Arsène Sari's painting studio.

Chateauneuf le Rouge is undergoing major economic and population expansion, as it less than 10 minutes away from Aix en Provence.
This strategic position makes it a popular place amongst those people working in Aix or Marseille who prefer a more relaxedand natural life-style.

Chateauneuf-le-Rouge, statue in front of the Trets bar

Most of the inhabitants of Chateauneuf have moved here quite recently and they often live in housing developments. The town does not have an "old quarter", but is dispersed around a wide area.
Don't miss the Provencal food festival which is held every year on the first Sunday in July. Under the plane trees you can taste all the local delicacies supplied by the most prestigious restaurants in the regions.

What to see

16th and 18th century Chateau and park.
Ancient Aurelian road leading from Gaul to Rome.
La Galiniere.
Roussettes walking-track on the road to Beaurecueil.
Arteum Museum (Provencal paintings).

Things to do

Horse-racing. Tennis. Boulodrome.
Market, Friday afternoon.
Sainte Victoire fair, antiques and arts and crafts, May.
Theatre and music festival, first two weeks in July.
Horse festival in September.