Château de L’engarran

Château de l’Engarran, one of the last “Folies” of the 18th century.

The Château de L’Engarran is located on the outskirts of Montpellier. This magnificent Montpellier “Folie”, surrounded by its 3-hectare formal park, was built in 1730 by Jean Vassal.

The architectural details finely underline the estate’s wine-growing vocation, but above all the unconditional love he had for the woman of his life.

On site, share in the historic and winegrowing heritage of the estate on a guided tour lasting around an hour. During the private tour, you can discover the French-style park, its ponds and magnificent statues, as well as some of the rooms inside the Château (depending on the season).

The tour ends with a guided tasting of the estate’s wines.

Tours are available in French and English.

Château de l’Engarran offers a wide range of events throughout the season. Click here for the full calendar 

A little history… The monumental gate at Château de l’Engarran

This majestic 3-panel grille, fifteen metres long, was commissioned in 1723 by Joseph 1er Bonnier de la Mosson, a French financier and wealthy collector, for the Château de la Mosson.

It is said to resemble a “light, transparent Spanish fan, behind which a Languedoc beauty hides smiling”.

The grille was later sold to the city of Montpellier to pay off the Bonnier family’s debts. It closed off the Place du Gouvernement, now the Place de la Comédie.

But in 1785, a fire destroyed the theatre. It was decided to enlarge the square and clean up the area. The grid was no longer sufficient and was put up for sale.

Jean Vassal, a financial adviser and builder of l’Engarran, bought it and installed it in its current location.

This real jewel, still in place today at l’Engarran, was listed as a historic monument and qualified as a “monumental gate” on 31 May 1926.

Today, it is proudly known as the “Grille des Grill”… a family name for 6 generations!

Places to discover around Château de Lengarran

• The Domaine de Biar in Laverune, very close by. This Montpellier “Folie” has been transformed into a magnificent, charming and intimate hotel. Ideal for a romantic break.
• Domaine du Grand Puy, an excellent bistro restaurant in Montpellier – 6 km from Château de L’Engarran.
• Domaine de l’Oulivie, a superb family olive-growing estate producing organic and biodynamic olives and olive oil, including the excellent Lucques. 16 km from Château de L’Engarran.
• La presqu’île de Maguelone, its organic wine estate and its thousand-year-old cathedral, 20 km from Château de L’Engarran.