How to Spend the Day at Château La Coste in Provence
An art exhibit, a winery, an escape into Provençal nature. Château La Coste isn’t one of these but all of the above. I’ve never been to anything quite like Château La Coste in Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade. And if you’re in southern France, you absolutely must add this to your bucket list. If you’re interested in French cuisine, wine tasting, art, oenology, or gorgeous Provence landscape, Château La Coste will enchant you. I recently spent the day at Château La Coste with a friend and am sharing my best tips on how to spend an afternoon at Château La Coste near Aix-en-Provence.
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How to get there
Many places in France are accessible by train, but for Château La Coste, you really need a car. You can either rent a car or take a taxi/Uber. Château La Coste is a 20-minute drive from Aix-en-Provence or a 45-minute drive from Marseille. Château La Coste is a great day trip idea from Aix-en-Provence or Marseille.
What is Château La Coste?
This domain isn’t just a winery; it’s so much bigger. I’d heard great things about this spot but didn’t realize that I could’ve easily spent the entire day there. Kelly and I enjoyed an afternoon there and certainly didn’t get to everything we wanted to see. Château La Coste dates back to the 1600s and today its property graces nearly 500 acres. The region of Provence is particularly known for its rosé wine, and Château La Coste is no exception. However, white- and red-lovers need not fret with their many varieties. The property oozes class and is a photo opt at each corner. I was giddy just walking around the property and admiring its green vineyards.
Where can I eat at Château La Coste?
The domain has six different restaurants, including the Michelin-starred Hélène Darroze à Villa La Coste. One thing’s for sure: the choices abound, but you won’t go hungry.
Kelly and I dined at the La Terrasse, a chic outdoor dining experience. I’m gluten-intolerant, and Kelly is vegan, so it’s no easy task to find a place that works for both of us. But we both found options and the staff were so helpful. I opted for the burrata and tomatoes, and it even came with gluten-free bread. We were delighted by the quality and experience of our meal. I couldn’t even finish it either! We didn’t have reservations but were able to have a table after a short wait.
Should I book ahead?
Yes, yes, yes! Kelly and I opted for the the visit of the Jean Nouvel wine cellar and tasting, and we added on the art visit. We paid 32 euros each for the combo of these two visits.
We did the guided tour of the winery in French. They also offer tours in English too, so fret not. Our fantastic, knowledgeable guide showed us around the different winemaking tools and did a fabulous job responding to our questions. We learned all about the winemaking process, reading labels, bottling and beyond. We were able to see the huge metal vats and learn about how they process the wine. At the end of our small group tour, we tasted six different wines: two rosé, two white and two red. I fell in love with their crisp rosé and couldn’t resist taking a bottle of it home with me.
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from the art tour. But consider it an art treasure hunt across the vineyards. You get a map marking the different sculptures and galleries. I love going to museums, but I loved the nuance of traversing vineyards to get to the art. You can explore their different exhibitions here. We enjoyed admiring its impressive statues but also enjoyed the air-conditioned galleries sprinkled throughout. Along the way, you might even wander past one of its lavender fields in bloom.
What if I don’t drink alcohol?
No worries! Château La Coste launched its NOOH by La Coste, which is non-alcoholic wine. The domain also serves up honey and olive oil that you can taste. And even if you don’t drink wine, the property is stunning and has great restaurants and art to peruse.
Can I stay at Château La Coste?
Yes! Indulge in the most luxurious stay at Villa La Coste. (Send me a postcard!) You can also book a stay in its quaint Auberge La Coste.
What should I wear to Château La Coste?
You’ll most certainly want to gussy up for your afternoon at Château La Coste. However, if you plan on doing the outdoor art visit, you’ll want to wear comfortable shoes as the itinerary leads you through the vineyards. I opted for a romper with Birkenstocks. Don’t forget the sunscreen and sunglasses!
Taking a day trip to Château La Coste was the perfect girls’ trip activity. I’d heard about Château La Coste before but didn’t realize how immense the visit would be. From its wine tasting to art stroll, dining experience to vineyard views, I was far from disappointed. The only disappointment is that I didn’t plan for more time to spend here. I suppose that just means I have to come back. If you’re heading to Aix-en-Provence or Marseille, you’ll certainly want to add a day trip to Château La Coste.
Longing for more of Provence and the Luberon Valley? I cannot blame you because I too fell in love with this region. You might also be interested in my Idyllic Provence Road Trip itinerary. Ready to explore more of Provence and beyond? Take a peek at my France Field Guide, a 32-page resource chock full of travel tips, destination ideas, cultural tidbits and inspiration. (Grab a free preview here.)
