Stay 
Palau-del-Vidre
approx. 1.5 km
A Roussillon village whose name, “of glass”, recalls the glassworks the Templars set up in the 13th century. Its 12th-century church of Saint-Sébastien was once the hall of the local castle.
Château de Villeclare: a night in a château near Elne and the Catalan coast
The Château de Villeclare stands about a kilometre south of Palau-del-Vidre in the Roussillon, next to the Romanesque church of Saint-Pierre de Vilaclara and in wine-growing country. Expedia presents it as a luxury-style château in a rural setting, with a vineyard, garden, terrace and a seasonal outdoor pool. Elne, Argelès-sur-Mer and the Mediterranean are all within easy reach.
At a glance
- Location
- Palau-del-Vidre, Pyrénées-Orientales (Occitanie), in the Roussillon, about 16 km as the crow flies from Perpignan
- Accommodation
- Château described by Expedia as a luxury-style château in a rural setting; ten private bathrooms are listed
- Highlights
- Vineyard, garden, terrace, barbecue, outdoor pool (seasonal), fireplace in the lobby, banquet hall, wedding service, free Wi-Fi, free parking
- Guest rating
- No reviews on Expedia yet
- Check-in & check-out
- Check-in from 5 pm (late check-in possible at certain times) · check-out by 11 am
- Good to know
- No pets · upper floors reached by stairs only · non-smoking · limited parking spaces
Staying at the Château de Villeclare: a country château in the Roussillon
To stay at the Château de Villeclare is to spend a night in a country château on the plain of the Roussillon, within sight of the Albères foothills. Expedia describes it as a luxury-style château in a rural setting, with a garden, a terrace, a vineyard and a fireplace in the lobby. According to the French Wikipedia article on Palau-del-Vidre, the estate is known for its wine.
For the rooms, the listing mentions free Wi-Fi, high-quality and allergy-friendly bedding, a pillow-top mattress, blackout curtains, a flat-screen TV with digital channels, a kettle, an iron and ironing board, a hairdryer and central heating. Ten private bathrooms are listed, with bath and shower separate, and the rooms have a separate seating area and dining area.
Outside there is an outdoor pool (open depending on the season), a barbecue and a terrace. The château also has a banquet hall and a wedding service, so it can serve for celebrations as well as for quiet holidays. Free parking is available on site without service, with a limited number of spaces.
Photos of Château de Villeclare
The history of the Château de Villeclare and its surroundings
- 9th century – The settlement of Palau is first recorded under the name Palatium Rodegarium, the “palace of Roger”.
- 12th century – The Romanesque church of Saint-Sébastien in Palau, once the hall of the local castle, dates from this period.
- 13th century – The Templars set up a glassworks at Palau; the Catalan addition “del Vidre” (“of glass”) later joins the village name.
- 14th century – The old village of Villaclara, just south-west of Palau, is merged into Palau’s territory.
- 1793 – When the commune is created during the Revolution it is called Palau de Vileclare, after the former village; Palau del Vidre returns in 1801.
- 2015 – The Romanesque church of Saint-Pierre de Vilaclara, a former chapel of the château de Vilaclara, is photographed after its restoration.
The château takes its name from Villaclara, the medieval village that lay just south-west of Palau before being absorbed into its territory in the 14th century. Wikipedia places the Château de Villeclare about a kilometre south of today’s village, beside the Romanesque church of Saint-Pierre de Vilaclara, which was once the chapel of the château de Vilaclara.
The sources used for this guide give no construction date or architect for the present building, so this page does not date it. What is documented is the setting: a domain with wine-growing traditions, a Romanesque chapel at its gate and a village whose name still carries the memory of its glassmakers.
Facilities and services at the Château de Villeclare
The details below come from the Expedia listing (as of 14 Oct 2026); room details may vary from room to room.
Rooms
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms
- High-quality, allergy-friendly bedding and a pillow-top mattress
- Blackout curtains
- Private bathroom with separate bath and shower
- Hairdryer and towels provided
- Flat-screen TV with digital channels
- Kettle, iron and ironing board
- Separate seating area and dining area
- Central heating
Outdoors & leisure
- Outdoor pool (open depending on the season)
- Vineyard
- Garden
- Terrace
- Barbecue
Château & events
- Fireplace in the lobby
- Banquet hall
- Wedding service
- Non-smoking property
Practical
- Free parking without service (limited spaces)
- Upper floors reached by stairs only
- For special accessibility needs, contact the property via the booking confirmation
Where the Château de Villeclare is: between Elne and the Albères
The château lies on the Roussillon plain, about a kilometre south of Palau-del-Vidre and some 16 km as the crow flies from Perpignan. Palau-del-Vidre village is under 2 km away, and the Romanesque church of Saint-Pierre de Vilaclara is practically next door. By car, Expedia gives about 14 minutes to Argelès-sur-Mer station and about 35 minutes to Perpignan – Rivesaltes airport.
Within 15 km Expedia lists Elne Cathedral, the beach and port of Argelès and the Maternité Suisse d’Elne, with the Ferme de Découverte about 4 km away; the cellar of the Albères winegrowers and Racou beach are also named. Closer still, the abbeys of Saint-André-de-Sorède and Saint-Génis-des-Fontaines are Romanesque monuments within about 3 km.
Further afield, Collioure, the Mediterranean town that has attracted so many artists, lies about 12 km away and Perpignan about 16 km.
Distances (as the crow flies from the Château de Villeclare)
| Church of Saint-Pierre de Vilaclara | approx. 100 m |
| Palau-del-Vidre (village) | approx. 1.5 km |
| Saint-André-de-Sorède Abbey | approx. 2 km |
| Saint-Génis-des-Fontaines Abbey | approx. 3 km |
| Elne Cathedral | approx. 4.5 km |
| Argelès-sur-Mer | approx. 6.5 km |
| Collioure | approx. 12 km |
| Perpignan | approx. 16 km |
Distances calculated as the crow flies; driving times to the station and airport are taken from the Expedia listing.
Things to see around the Château de Villeclare
Saint-André-de-Sorède Abbey
approx. 2 km
A former Romanesque Benedictine abbey. Monks fleeing Spain settled here on land granted in 823, and the abbey church was rebuilt and consecrated in 1121. It is a listed historic monument.
Elne Cathedral
approx. 4.5 km
A major work of Catalan Romanesque, built in the 11th and 12th centuries. It was the seat of the bishops of Elne until 1602; the cloister has been a listed monument since 1840, the church since 1875.
Argelès-sur-Mer
approx. 6.5 km
A Mediterranean seaside town in the south-east of the Pyrénées-Orientales. Expedia lists its beach and port among the sights within 15 km, and its railway station is a 14-minute drive away.
Collioure
approx. 12 km
A Mediterranean town that has attracted many artists. Its royal château is already mentioned in 673, and the bell tower of Notre-Dame-des-Anges, a former lighthouse, is almost surrounded by the sea.
Perpignan
approx. 16 km
Prefecture of the Pyrénées-Orientales and the fourth most populous city of Occitanie. The photo looks over the city from the Palace of the Kings of Majorca.
Tours & activities near Château de Villeclare
Experiences in the region that you can book online with Viator:
Nausicaa. Discover Collioure and the Côte Vermeille from the sea.
Discovery of Collioure and the Côte Vermeille from the sea. Welcome aboard Nausicaa. In Co-navigation mode on a private motorboat, sea trip from …
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Walks in the heart of the secret vineyards around Collioure, tastings
Through unique experiences, Vinohrando invites you to discover exceptional vineyards, during walking tours, followed by tastings, to share emotions …
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Collioure Audioguided Walking Tour 1h30 and 21 reviews
Collioure, the jewel of the Côte Vermeille, awaits you for a day of artistic and historical discoveries. Between the Château Royal …
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Perpignan Audio Guided Walking Tour 1h and 19 audio reviews
Discover Perpignan in one day through 19 emblematic sites, combining history, culture and architecture. The tour, about 2.4 km long, takes you from …
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Explore Perpignan in 60 minutes with a Local
Join an exciting 60-minute walking journey through Perpignan. Learn all the key facts about the city, dive into the local lifestyle, and feel its …
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Hello Perpignan: Private 2-Hour Intro City Walk with Local Guide
Get introduced to Perpignan in the most authentic way: through its highlights, history, local flavors, and with a trusted local guide by your side …
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Private Spa for Two in Perpignan
Treat yourself to a relaxing break in a completely private spa in Perpignan. Unlike a traditional spa, the space is exclusively reserved for you for …
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Best Intro to Perpignan in 2 hours with a Local
Start your visit to Perpignan with this 2-hour walk led by a Local. You’ll discover its highlights, hidden gems, and get practical tips. This is the …
View details ›Some descriptions are machine-translated.
Who is the Château de Villeclare for?
Wine and countryside lovers
A vineyard, a garden and the plain of the Roussillon at the foot of the Albères: a calm base for slow days in wine country.
Romanesque art fans
Two Romanesque abbeys within about 3 km, the cathedral and cloister of Elne a little further, and a Romanesque church beside the château.
Celebrations & weddings
Expedia lists a banquet hall and a wedding service, a possible setting for a family celebration.
Beach and coast
Argelès-sur-Mer with its beach and port, and Collioure, are a short drive away.
Good to know before booking the Château de Villeclare
- Check-in is from 5 pm, with late check-in possible at certain times; check-out is at 11 am.
- Pets are not allowed.
- Free on-site parking is available without service; the number of spaces is limited.
- The upper floors can only be reached by stairs. For special accessibility needs, contact the property directly via the booking confirmation.
- The outdoor pool is open depending on the season.
- The property is non-smoking.
Find available dates at Château de Villeclare
Frequently asked questions
Can you stay overnight at the Château de Villeclare?
Yes. The château is listed on Expedia, which describes it as a luxury-style château in a rural setting, and it can be booked there.
Does the Château de Villeclare have a pool?
Yes. According to Expedia there is an outdoor pool, open depending on the season.
Are pets allowed?
No. According to Expedia, pets are not allowed.
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is from 5 pm, with late check-in possible at certain times. Check-out is at 11 am.
Is there parking?
Yes, free parking without service is available on site, with a limited number of spaces.
What is there to see near the Château de Villeclare?
Two Romanesque abbeys lie within about 3 km, Elne Cathedral about 4.5 km away and Argelès-sur-Mer with its beach about 6 km. Collioure is about 12 km and Perpignan about 16 km.
Room photos, guest information and available dates are all in the Château de Villeclare listing on Expedia.
Fancy a night in a château among the vineyards of the Roussillon? Check availability and current prices for the Château de Villeclare on Expedia.
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