Last weekend I had a perfect day visiting Chateau de Cremat, a wonderful hidden gem near Nice.
Just a short drive from the bustle of the city center, this beautiful chateau provides visitors with stunning views, great wine tastings, and tranquil surroundings to take in and appreciate.
From the moment I arrived, I was immediately taken in by its charm and beauty and couldn’t believe it was not more widely known – especially as it is a significant place in the history of the brand Chanel.
In this guide, you will find all the information you need to know before visiting Chateau de Cremat.
→ In a hurry? If you are a wine lover and want to visit this and other wineries in the Bellet wine region, I highly recommend booking this private tour.
A little history lesson
Chateau de Cremat was built in 1904 by Antoine Mari, a successful niçoise in the olive oil industry.
A few years later, the castle was purchased by Irène Bretzner, a wealthy American that used to throw incredible parties for several notorious guests, including Gabrielle Chanel, who is said to have gotten inspiration for Chanel’s logo from the castle’s monogram.
In 1940, Pierre Tomé became the new owner of the chateau. He dedicated himself to making Bellet – the region surrounding the castle – known in the wine industry. Thanks to his expertise and hard work, Bellet received its Appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC) in 1941 and became a major region for rosé production.
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In the early 2000s, Cornelius Kamerbeek acquired the chateau and modernized it while maintaining its authenticity and charm.
Chateau de Cremat now belongs to a wine-passionate French family that decorated the interior of the castle with furniture from the Ritz in Paris and opened its doors to visitation.
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How to get to Chateau de Cremat
By car, Chateau de Cremat is located only a 10-minute drive away from the Promenade des Anglais.
If you wish to visit by using public transportation (you will be having a lot of wine, after all!) the 6061 will take you from Magnan in Nice to the chateau in less than 40 minutes.
Another fantastic option is going on a private wine tour of the Bellet Wine region.
→🍷 Love wine? Then you might want to read The 10 Best Wine Tours From Nice
Visit & Wine Tasting
To visit Chateau de Cremat, you can book a guided tour on their official website. There are two options: The “Expérience” tour and the “Mademoiselle” tour.
The experience tour costs 20 euros and includes a tour of the vineyard and cellars and a tasting of five wines. The Mademoiselle tour costs 30 euros and includes the same, but with access to the interior of the chateau as well.
I took the Mademoiselle tour and it was well worth the money.
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What you can expect when visiting
Upon entering the chateau, I was blown away by its beauty. The decoration is absolutely stunning and there is so much interesting art to see.
Our guide was very friendly and knowledgeable and provided us with a great introduction to the wines of Chateau de Cremat.
The wine tasting was great as well. I was able to sample some of the chateau’s best wines and learn a lot about the history and production process.
The views from the grounds are also amazing – you can see for miles in all directions and even get a view of the Alps!
Conclusion: Visiting Chateau de Cremat
Overall, I had an incredible time at Chateau de Cremat. It is truly a hidden gem near Nice and I highly recommend visiting.
If you wish to have an even more complete experience and visit other wineries in the region, I would highly recommend booking this Private Bellet Wine Tasting Day Trip.
Planning a trip to the South of France? Then make sure to join my Facebook group for the best tips, places, and hotels on the French Riviera.
