Studio Miraval: the temple of French rock revived by Brad Pitt

If you are looking for the most legendary recording studio in France, look no further than Correns, in the heart of Provence. Studio Miraval saw part of Pink Floyd's The Wall being born, welcomed the biggest names in international rock, then enjoyed an astonishing second life under the impetus of Brad Pitt. Here is the complete story of a place that has become a legend, and everything a musician should know before considering bringing their instruments here.

Where is Studio Miraval located?

Studio Miraval is set in the chateau of the same name, in Correns, in the Var region, in the heart of Provence. The estate stretches at the foot of the hills, between vineyards and olive trees, a few kilometres from Brignoles and the Argens valley. It is in this bucolic setting, deliberately far from the hustle and bustle of Paris, that the studio was created in 1977. This isolated location played a huge part in the legend of the place: artists came here to cut themselves off from the world and work in depth, in an environment of rare beauty.

Who founded Studio Miraval?

Studio Miraval was founded in 1977 by jazz pianist Jacques Loussier, known worldwide for his jazzy adaptations of Bach's works, together with sound engineer Patrice Quef. The idea was to turn the 17th-century Provencal chateau into an internationally renowned studio. Patrice Quef, who designed the 300 sqm main studio, immediately gave the place an acoustics famous around the world. This alliance between a demanding musician and a visionary engineer laid the foundations of what would become the most famous French studio on the planet.

Which artists recorded at Studio Miraval?

The list is breathtaking. From Pink Floyd to Muse, via AC/DC, The Cure, Sade, Sting, The Cranberries, Telephone, Wham, UB40, Level 42 and even Courtney Love, Studio Miraval hosted a good part of the rock and pop elite, both French and international.

Pink Floyd and The Wall, the album that changed everything

It was in 1979 that Miraval entered the legend. Pink Floyd worked on part of The Wall there, one of the best-selling albums in the history of rock. The British band's Provencal sessions left a lasting mark on the place, which still holds a special aura among musicians worldwide today. For many, this episode alone justifies the studio's cult status.

An international A-list between 1977 and the mid-2000s

For nearly thirty years, sessions followed one another at a steady pace. AC/DC, The Cure, Sade, Sting and The Cranberries set up their amps there, as did the French band Telephone. Wham, UB40 and Level 42 represented British pop of the 1980s. Later, Muse came to record part of Black Holes and Revelations, confirming that the studio also knew how to speak to the next generations. This diversity makes Miraval a rock, folk and chanson studio, in the broadest sense of the term.

What gear built the legend of Studio Miraval?

The heart of the legend is the 300 sqm main studio designed by Patrice Quef, with acoustics that made history. The chateau's thick walls, generous volumes and the engineer's meticulous work created a recording room capable of capturing live bands in exceptional conditions. After the 2022 reopening, producer Damien Quintard completely renovated the studio with modern equipment, blending analogue consoles and contemporary digital tools. For those who dream of getting close to this kind of sound without leaving their living room, a good starting point remains the choice of microphones: our guide to choosing a vocal microphone will help you sort it out, and a search for microphones like the Neumann U87, the great reference of vocal studios, will give you a good idea of what makes a reliable condenser microphone. And if you are looking for a console or a preamp to support your interface, the studio category on Green Musicians brings together all the necessary gear, from consoles to acoustic treatment, and you can even compare the mixing consoles available on our site.

What are the most memorable anecdotes?

The recent history of the estate took a Hollywood turn. The Chateau de Miraval was bought in 2011 by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, who got married there in 2014. The couple fell in love with the place, but it was after the divorce that the project took a new turn: Brad Pitt decided to completely restore the studios, which had been dormant for nearly fifteen years. The work, carried out with producer Damien Quintard, brought the historic recording building back to life while equipping it to current standards.

Another lesser-known anecdote: the Miraval estate produces a rosé wine that became famous, crowned best rosé in the world by Wine Spectator in 2013. The chateau therefore combines two legends, that of music and that of wine, which does not displease the artists in residence. The studio has even hosted sessions in a dream setting, between two tastings, in an atmosphere that few studios in the world can offer.

Is Studio Miraval still active?

Yes, and it is even enjoying a second youth. After a long period of sleep, the studios reopened fully restored in the summer of 2022 under the name Miraval Studios, run by Brad Pitt and Damien Quintard. The place operates today as a modern professional studio, with renovated equipment, while keeping the soul of the premises.

Why is Studio Miraval cult?

Because it combines everything that makes a legend: an exceptional setting, acoustics signed by a genius engineer, some of the greatest international artists, and a Hollywood story that defies fiction. Studio Miraval is probably the most legendary French studio in the world, the one whose name comes up in every conversation between musicians. And if this story makes you want to work on your own sound, our portrait of producer Rick Rubin, another legendary figure of recording, will show you how much the environment matters in creation. To record at home in good conditions, start with the basics with our guide to building a home studio on a budget, not forgetting reliable studio headphones for your critical listening.

FAQ - Studio Miraval

Where is Studio Miraval located?

Studio Miraval is located at the Chateau de Miraval, in Correns, in the Var region, in the heart of Provence.

Which artists recorded at Studio Miraval?

Pink Floyd, Muse, AC/DC, The Cure, Sade, Sting, The Cranberries, Telephone, Wham, UB40, Level 42 and Courtney Love, among others.

Does Studio Miraval still exist?

Yes, it reopened in the summer of 2022 after a complete restoration, under the name Miraval Studios, with Brad Pitt and Damien Quintard.

Who founded Studio Miraval?

Jazz pianist Jacques Loussier and sound engineer Patrice Quef founded it in 1977.

Did Pink Floyd really record The Wall at Miraval?

Yes, the band worked on part of the album The Wall there in 1979, which made the studio enter rock legend.

Can you visit Studio Miraval?

The studio is private and located in a closed estate: visits are not open to the public, only professional teams access it during sessions.

And there you have it! We hope this article has made you want to (re)discover the history of French recording studios and the gear that shaped music.

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