Chateau De Culas | 7-Bedroom Chateau in Saint Andre Les Alpes Angles

A luxury château rental in Saint Andre Les Alpes offers something the typical French Riviera villa cannot: medieval stone walls, a grand piano in the entrance hall, and views across Lake Castillon’s turquoise expanse. Fourteen guests can spread across seven bedrooms here, each with its own bathroom, and the château itself dates back to the 12th century when Knights Templar built it as a fortress against Saracen raids. Today, the only siege is the one laid by outdoor terraces, a heated swimming pool, and hiking trails that begin at your front door.

Inside Chateau De Culas

Chateau De Culas sleeps 15 guests across 7 bedrooms and 8 bathrooms, arranged across four distinct levels that reveal themselves gradually as you move through this architectural narrative.

The ground floor announces itself with a grand entrance hall featuring a piano—the kind of detail that transforms a simple arrival into a moment. From here, a few steps lead down into the living room, where windows frame the landscape beyond. The billiard room provides indoor entertainment, while the well-appointed kitchen handles everything from casual breakfasts to multi-course dinners. A bathroom tucked into the château’s tower completes this level, its fixtures positioned within the curved stone walls that date back centuries.

The first floor holds four bedrooms. The family bedroom sleeps five across a king-size double and two singles, with its own tower bathroom featuring both bath and toilet. A second bedroom offers a king-size double with an en-suite bathroom containing bath and toilet. The third bedroom here presents a queen-size double bed and an en-suite with bath, shower, toilet and a balcony overlooking the grounds. A fourth bedroom rounds out this floor with a queen-size double and en-suite bathroom.

Ascending to the second floor reveals three more sleeping spaces and a distinctive living area. The bridal suite commands attention with a queen-size double and an open bathroom featuring a bath, two showers and toilet—ideal for those celebrating special occasions. A second bedroom on this floor offers a queen-size double with a tower bathroom (shower and toilet), plus internal stairs ascending to a mezzanine attic level with an additional queen-size double bed, creating a private retreat within a retreat. The third bedroom features twin beds that can be joined into a double configuration, with an open bathroom offering shower and toilet. An open-plan hallway with living area and library provides a social hub for guests seeking quieter moments between adventures.

The basement reveals the château’s oldest secrets: a vaulted stone cellar repurposed as a wine and food tasting room, where the temperature and humidity remain naturally constant through the seasons, and the stone walls whisper stories of centuries past.

Outdoor Spaces and Living

Eleven acres of private land unfold around Chateau De Culas, giving the impression that you have purchased a small corner of the Alps. The heated swimming pool measures 14 metres by 7 metres, available for use from mid-May through mid-September, with safety fencing ensuring peace of mind for families. A five-person jacuzzi sits apart, offering warm respite on cooler evenings. The south-facing garden terrace captures sunlight from morning through sunset, while separate al-fresco dining and barbecue areas with integrated sound systems transform outdoor meals into events. A gym on the property means morning workouts need not interrupt your schedule or the views. The grounds themselves invite exploration—hiking trails depart directly from the château, winding through forest and across ridges with views that arrest conversation mid-sentence.

Location: Saint Andre Les Alpes and the Surrounding Area

Saint Andre Les Alpes sits 2.5 kilometres from Chateau De Culas, a modest village that punches above its weight with bakeries, cafés, a supermarket, petrol station and ATM clustered around its centre. Wednesday and Saturday mornings bring a local market where vendors sell produce harvested from gardens mere kilometres away. The village restaurants serve traditional Provençal cuisine—the kind that tastes better when eaten in Provence itself.

Lake Castillon, 3 kilometres away by road, transforms the region into France’s adventure playground during summer months. Canoes, pedalos, windsurfing catamarans and stand-up paddle boards operate seasonally, while a private beach access grants Chateau De Culas guests an exclusive alternative. The same lake offers fishing less than 300 metres away via a steep track, or alternatively, the River Verdon flows into these waters, its currents ideal for canoeing and swimming.

Castellane, 23 kilometres south, functions as the region’s activity hub—quad-biking, white-water rafting, canyoning and cycling routes depart from here, with paragliding schools offering both tandem flights and observation opportunities. The legendary Verdon Gorge lies 53 kilometres away, requiring just over an hour’s drive, where hikers discover UNESCO-protected canyons or drivers navigate dramatic cliff-edge roads with equally dramatic views.

Beyond the immediate vicinity, explore our luxury villas in Saint Andre Les Alpes or browse our villas in Cassis for additional French Riviera options. For comprehensive destination planning, our French Riviera travel guide covers the entire Cote D’Azur region, while our full collection in France showcases alternatives across the country.

Colmars (32 kilometres) and Annot (44 kilometres) preserve medieval village character with narrow lanes and stone architecture. Moustiers St Marie (66 kilometres) sits within the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, famous for ceramics and pottery studios. Entrevaux (58 kilometres) clings dramatically to a river gorge, its fortress still watching over the valley below. Sisteron (74 kilometres) earns its reputation as the ‘Gateway to Provence’ with flower-lined streets and historical significance.

The spa towns of Digne-les-Bains (45 kilometres) and Gréoux-les-Bains (80 kilometres) attract those seeking thermal waters and wellness retreats. Grasse (85 kilometres) reveals itself as the perfume capital of France, where visitors tour fragrance houses and learn the chemistry behind Chanel, Dior and dozens of other houses. The French Riviera coast—Nice, Cannes and Monaco—all sit within 100 kilometres, making day trips entirely feasible during your stay.

Who This Villa Suits Best

Extended families celebrating milestones will appreciate the bedroom diversity here: grandparents in the bridal suite, children in the twin-bed room, teenagers in the mezzanine hideaway. Groups of friends splitting rental costs across seven bedrooms will find this property offers value that smaller villas cannot match, while each guest still enjoys private bathroom access and bedroom separation.

Couples seeking romance find the bridal suite and private acres sufficient, though the château’s scale means they pay premium prices for space they do not require. Multi-generational gatherings—where toddlers and grandparents both need ground-floor bedrooms, teenagers want their own space, and adults require flexibility—discover that Chateau De Culas’ four-floor layout solves logistical puzzles that typical villas cannot.

Adventure groups planning weeks of hiking, paragliding, white-water rafting or climbing will use the château as a luxurious base camp, returning each evening to a kitchen staffed by an available chef and grounds maintained by available maid service. Those celebrating weddings, anniversaries or significant birthdays find the bridal suite, piano, dining areas for up to 15, and optional babysitting service all support guest experiences that extend beyond conventional villa stays.

Practical Information

Chateau De Culas accommodates 15 guests across 7 bedrooms and 8 bathrooms. The nearest airport is Nice Côte d’Azur International (approximately 120 kilometres away), requiring roughly 2.5 hours by rental car or private transfer. A smaller airfield at Castellane (23 kilometres) can accommodate private aircraft.

The Saint Andre Les Alpes supermarket lies 2.5 kilometres away for self-catering needs, though on-site chef service can be arranged. Wi-Fi and internet connectivity support remote work, while the gym, piano, billiard room and library occupy guests during rest days. The heated pool operates seasonally from mid-May through mid-September. Maid service, chef service and babysitting all remain available upon request, with advance notice required for arranging staff.

Frequently Asked Questions about Chateau De Culas

How many guests does Chateau De Culas sleep?

Chateau De Culas sleeps 15 guests across 7 bedrooms and 8 bathrooms. Bedrooms include configurations of king-size doubles, queen-size doubles, twins (joinable), and a family bedroom containing a king double plus two singles. The mezzanine attic level adds an additional queen-size double bed within one of the upstairs bedrooms.

What is the nearest airport to Chateau De Culas in Saint Andre Les Alpes?

Nice Côte d’Azur International Airport lies approximately 120 kilometres from Chateau De Culas, requiring approximately 2 hours 30 minutes by rental car. Marseille Provence Airport (180 kilometres) offers an alternative, though the journey extends to approximately 3 hours 30 minutes. Castellane Airfield (23 kilometres away) accommodates private aircraft for those flying direct.

What is the best time of year to rent Chateau De Culas?

May through September offers the warmest weather, with the heated pool operating mid-May through mid-September. Summer crowds peak in July and August, particularly around Lake Castillon’s beaches. June and September provide optimal conditions: warm enough for swimming and water sports, yet fewer tourists than peak summer. Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) suit hiking and exploration, with crisp mornings and clear skies ideal for views across the Verdon Gorge and surrounding peaks.

Is Chateau De Culas suitable for families with children?

Yes. The heated pool features safety fencing, while babysitting services can be arranged with notice. The family bedroom sleeps five across a king double and two singles, ideal for parents and younger children. Lake Castillon offers shallow areas suitable for younger swimmers, with pedalos and canoes providing gentle water activities. The 11-acre grounds permit safe exploration, while the nearby villages of Saint Andre Les Alpes and Castellane offer child-friendly restaurants and markets. Hiking trails departing directly from the property suit varied abilities and ages.

What is included in the rental price at Chateau De Culas?

Rental includes use of all bedrooms and bathrooms, Wi-Fi internet, pool heating (mid-May through mid-September), the jacuzzi, gym access, piano and billiard room. Linen, towels and basic cleaning are typically included. Optional extras—available upon request—include maid service, professional chef services, and babysitting. Utilities such as electricity, water and gas for heating are included in the base rental rate.

What restaurants and shops are near Chateau De Culas?

Saint Andre Les Alpes village (2.5 kilometres) contains a supermarket, bakery, café and several restaurants serving traditional Provençal food. The local market operates Wednesday and Saturday mornings. Castellane (23 kilometres south) offers more extensive dining and shopping. Lake Castillon’s summer restaurants (3 kilometres by road) specialise in fresh fish. The spa town of Digne-les-Bains (45 kilometres) provides additional restaurant and shopping options, while Grasse (85 kilometres) features boutiques and restaurants alongside its famous perfume houses.