Erection in feef 1674 (≈ 1674)
Fief granted to the Vanel family.
1732
Reconstruction of the castle
Reconstruction of the castle 1732 (≈ 1732)
Castle and chapel rebuilt by Vanel.
1832
Construction of the Magnanery
Construction of the Magnanery 1832 (≈ 1832)
One of the biggest in France.
1909
Certified end of sericulture
Certified end of sericulture 1909 (≈ 1909)
Latest sales of registered cocoons.
1er juin 2021
Historical Monument
Historical Monument 1er juin 2021 (≈ 2021)
Registration of the entire domain.
1er mars 2022
Resumed by an event manager
Resumed by an event manager 1er mars 2022 (≈ 2022)
Opening at private receptions.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The following parts of the Barrenques estate: the castle in its entirety, the mill in its entirety, including its brought-in canal and its bay, the façades and roofs of the magnanerie including its annex, the facades and roofs of the caretaker's house, the park in its entirety including the aqueduct and the ditches closing it; on Parcel No. 200, shown in the cadastre on Section A, as delimited in red on the plan annexed to the decree: inscription by order of 1 June 2021
Key figures
Famille Vanel - Founding owners
Obtained the fief in 1674.
De Vanel - Castle builders
Rebuild castle and chapel in 1732.
Vanel de Lisleroy - Successive owners
Heirs of the estate after Vanel.
Balincourt - Latest noble owners
Family owned the estate.
Origin and history
The Domaine des Barrenques, located in Lamotte-du-Rhône in the Vaucluse, came into being in 1674, when the Vanel family obtained its fief erection in recognition of its ennoblement. This aristocratic domain, typical of the Provence of Ancien Régime, became a local symbol of power and economic activity, thanks in particular to its lands and infrastructures.
In 1732 the de Vanel undertook a major reconstruction of the castle and its chapel, dedicated to Notre-Dame des Neiges. This site marked the architectural climax of the estate, reflecting the growing influence of the family. The site then passed to the Vanel de Lisleroy, then to the Balincourt, illustrating the frequent alliances and heritage transmissions among the Provençal nobility.
The Magnanerie, built in 1832, is a remarkable part of the estate with its 35 metres long, called "one of the largest in France" in 1839. It was dedicated to the breeding of silkworms and remained active until 1909, as evidenced by the archives mentioning transactions of cocoons to the Ardèche. This activity is part of the rise of sericulture in Provence in the 19th century, a key sector of the rural economy.
On 1 June 2021, the entire estate — castle, mill, magnatery, park and aqueduct — was inscribed in the Historic Monuments, recognizing its heritage value. Since 1 March 2022, the Domains & Events Group has been managing them to organize receptions, marking a transition to a tourist and event vocation.
Architecturally, the estate combines the styles of the 18th and 19th centuries, with utility buildings (moulin, magnanerie) and residential buildings (castle, guardian's house) organized around a closed park. Its recent listing underlines the importance of preserving these rural complexes, which are witnesses to the economic and social dynamics of pre-industrial Provence.
