Château de Lacoste, Medieval castle in Lacoste, France.
Château de Lacoste is a castle that sits on a hilltop extension of the Petit Luberon in southern France. The structure offers views of the Calavon valley, Mont Ventoux, and the distant Alps.
The castle was built in the 11th century and passed from the Simiane family to the Sade family through the marriage of Diane Simiane and Jean-Baptiste de Sade in 1627. This connection shaped the place for centuries to follow.
The place carries the name of the Marquis de Sade, who built a private theater between 1769 and 1772 with space for about 120 spectators. This structure still stands today and reminds visitors of the artistic activities that took place here.
To reach the castle, follow the main street of Lacoste village up to the highest point of the hill. The path is walkable and leads directly to the entrance.
Fashion designer Pierre Cardin purchased the castle in 2001 and launched an annual music festival in the nearby quarries. This cultural initiative has added a modern dimension to the site.
Location: Lacoste
GPS coordinates: 43.83250,5.27194
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:02
Luberon sits between soft hills and stone villages in the heart of Provence. The region shows what makes Provence special: lavender fields, ochre-colored cliffs, and honey-colored houses that cling to hillsides. In villages like Gordes and Roussillon, the buildings catch the light in striking ways. At Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, the Sorgue river emerges from a green spring, and throughout the valleys, abbeys and castles look out over the plains. The places here tell stories from many different periods. Old village streets hold echoes of medieval times, and the landscapes feel handcrafted. You can walk through underground quarries at Gargas, discover troglodyte houses carved into stone at Cadenet, or explore the Bories—ancient stone structures that show how people once lived near Gordes. Roman bridges like the Pont Julien still stand after 2,000 years, connecting past to present. Nature shapes this region too. The cedar forest near Bonnieux provides shade and cool air. Plateaus and lakes offer quiet places to rest. Towns like Apt and Lourmarin have castles worth visiting, and smaller villages such as Saignon, Ansouis, and Ménerbes reward those who wander their narrow streets. The landscape shifts constantly—from stone villages to wild cliffs to cultivated valleys.
Pont Julien
4.3 km
Forêt des cèdres du Luberon
2.9 km
Abbaye de Saint-Hilaire
2.2 km
Bonnieux - église haute
3.1 km
Église de Saint-Pantaléon
7.2 km
Prieuré de Saint-Symphorien
7 km
Dolmen de l'Ubac
4.2 km
Église neuve
3 km
Moulin de Jérusalem
4.3 km
Dolmen de la Pitchoune
3.5 km
Musée de la boulangerie de Bonnieux
3.1 km
Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Clairmont d'Apt
7.7 km
Couvent des Récollets de Bonnieux
2.9 km
Domaine de la Citadelle
6.1 km
Église Saint-Sébastien de Goult
4.3 km
Chapelle Saint Véran de Goult
2.6 km
Scenic viewpoint
7.7 km
Église de Ménerbes
5.6 km
Église de l'abbaye de Saint-Hilaire
2.2 km
Église de l'Annonciation de Beaumettes
6.4 km
Église de Lacoste
123 m
Pont à coquille franchissant l'Aigue-Brun
6.2 km
Notre-Dame de Lumières
4.4 km
Chapelle Saint-Blaise dite des Pénitents de Ménerbes
5.4 km
Château de la Canorgue
3.5 km
Musée du Verre et du Vitrail
7.3 km
Temple protestant
200 m
Hotel Astier de Faucon
5.5 kmVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes