Escapades between town & country in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Suggested stopover: Auberge de Cassagne & Spa

This ancient, 19th century bastide, located in Avignon-Le Pontet, basks at the heart of lush, flowering grounds. The rooms and suites are elegantly decorated, inviting guests to enjoy a stay redolent with charm and comfort. On the gastronomy front, the restaurant, fronted by Baucuse-trained Chef Philippe Boucher, serves refined cuisine that honours local produce. For ultimate wellbeing, guests enjoy a spa and relaxation / sports amenities. Committed to warm and authentic hospitality, the Auberge de Cassagne upholds sustainable tourism that respects the environment and promotes local sightseeing.

Nearby things to do and see:

• Visit Avignon of course! With its winding lanes, markets, museums, Palace of the Popes and world-famed bridge, Avignon is a must-do.
• Discover the Provençal villages around Avignon, each more charming than the next. L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Cavaillon and Gordes are all proud holders of the “Most Beautiful French Villages” label.
• Roam the vineyards of the Côtes-du-Rhône and Provence and sample their fine wines.

Suggested place of stay: Mas de Peint

A former 17th-century farmhouse converted into a five-star hotel, Mas de Peint is located on a 1,360-acre refined and authentic estate where rice fields and pastures rub shoulders with roaming bulls and Camargue horses. You’ll find a myriad of activities on site, including horse treks, 4×4 safaris, tours of the Jacques Bon ranch and birding excursions offering a fascinating insight into local flora and fauna. You’re sure to work up an appetite and luckily, the on-site restaurant is on hand with delicious fare exalting local ingredients and Camargue specialities.

Nearby things to do and see:

• Explore the iconic natural sites of Camargue: the Marais du Vigueirat nature reserve, Pont de Gau ornithological reserve, Domaine de la Palissade and Theys de l’embouchure du Rhône (Sand formations of the mouth of the Rhône).
• Discover the villages of Camargue: Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, home to Phare de la Gacholle lighthouse, Salin-de-Giraud saltmarsh and Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône.
• Savour local shellfish at producers and markets such as Les Viviers de Carteau.
• Visit Arles, a Town of Art & History, and the nearby museums: Musée de la Camargue, Fondation Van Gogh, Luma, Musée Arles Antique.

Suggested place of stay: Mas de l’Oulivié

Tuck away in the heart of Provence, in countrified scenery of greenery, olive trees and rocks, Mas de l’Oulivié is a genuine haven of peace. This authentic Provençal abode also harbours a pool, restaurant with terrace basking in nature and Mediterranean garden scented with lavender and rosemary. The first hotel in the Alpilles to obtain the “Valeurs Parc Naturel Régional” label, Mas de l’Oulivié works exclusively with local partners and produce.

Nearby things to do and see:

• Visit the Château des Baux-de-Provence, an iconic medieval site offering awe-inspiring views over the region.
• Visit the Carrières des Lumières, an ancient stone quarry hosting immersive multimedia art shows.
• Taste organic and biodynamic wines produced in the Alpilles, in particular AOP Baux-de-Provence.
• Walk along the trails of the Val d’Enfer (Valley of Hell), on the ridges of Romanin and the Rocher des Deux Trous (Rock of Two Holes)…
• Discover Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, a Town of Art & History, famed for its Glanum archaeological site and ties with Van Gogh (Saint-Paul-de-Mausole cloister).
• Walk in the footsteps of Alphonse Daudet at Château de Montauban in Fontvielle.

Suggested place of stay: La Fenière Lieu de Vie

Imagine a Provençal auberge swathed in greenery, whose walls echo to the sound of chirping cicadas: welcome to La Fénière! The Sammut family set down their bags at this enchanting site in the early Seventies. Today, with Michelin-starred Chef Nadia Sammut at its helm, the auberge has become a homely space and ode to sharing and hospitality. In addition to its Michelin one-star restaurant “Le Goût du Bonheur”, La Fenière is committed to healthy farming and food, in particular through the “Nourrir” project, hosting an enriching line-up of training sessions, workshops and talks.

Nearby things to do and see:

• Slip into the intimacy of the charming nearby Provençal villages: Lourmarin, Lauris, Cucurron, Bonnieux and more.
• Visit the Château de Lourmarin with its reconstructed decors featuring original furniture, captivating exhibition schedule and pretty views over Lourmarin.
• Explore the Lauris medicinal plant garden and stroll along the terrace of Château de Lauris to lap up the views over Durance valley.
• Roam the trails of the Luberon – the Luberon Cedar Forest is a must!

Suggested place of stay: La Bastide de Moustiers

An ancient 18th-century bastide now converted into a guest house by eminent Chef Alain Ducasse, this exceptional, preserved site basking in a soothing Provençal decor is a genuine ode to relaxation and contemplation. La Bastide de Moustiers offers refined and authentic accommodation, with simple, tastefully-decorated rooms evoking a family holiday home. The restaurant, boasting a Michelin star and Green Star for its sustainable commitment, showcases sincere, seasonal Provençal cuisine, giving pride of place to produce from the vegetable garden or sourced locally.

Nearby things to do and see:

• Explore the natural treasures of the world-famed Verdon Regional Nature Reserve: the Verdon Canyon, renowned for its hiking, kayaking, canyoning and climbing hotspots, as well as Sainte-Croix lake, where you can enjoy bathing, stand-up paddleboarding or a peaceful foray on an electric boat…
• Discover the villages of the Verdon: Tourtour, Saint-Laurent-du-Verdon, Castellane, Entrevaux and, of course, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, one of the “Most Beautiful French Villages”, renowned for its artisan pottery, picturesque lanes, star suspended between two cliffs and hilltop chapel – Notre-Dame de Beauvoir – perched at the top of 262 steps, offering panoramic vistas over the village and surrounding landscapes.

Suggested place of stay: La Magdeleine

The magnificent, 18th-century bastide of La Magdeleine is located in Gémenos, between the Sainte-Baume and Garlaban massifs. Opening onto tree-lined grounds complete with a pool, its authentic and elegant rooms and suites are redolent with scents of the South. The Michelin-starred restaurant is directed by Chef Mathias Dandine, who pampers guests with refined Mediterranean cuisine celebrating the flavours of Provence. Offering soothing spaces and outdoor relaxation lounges, La Magdeleine bathes in a warm and friendly family-style atmosphere.

Nearby things to do and see:

• Hike through the Mediterranean forests of the Sainte-Baume Regional Nature.
• Reserve to Saint Mary Magdalene’s cave and La Grande Baume, via Col de Bertagne.
• Stroll in Parc de Saint-Pons, just 1 km from Gémenos, home to shaded pathways, waterfalls and the ruins of the Cistercian abbey of Saint-Pons.
• Reach for the sky at the rock-climbing site just above Gémenos.
  Enjoy a tour of Cassis or Marseille, easily accessible on public transport.

Suggested place of stay: La Bastide du Clos des Roses

This bastide is a charming place of stay, offering comfort and modernity combined with Provençal authenticity and a warm, intimate atmosphere. This 89-acre property, at the gateway to the Estérel massif, grows 25 acres of organic vines. Don’t miss a guided tourof the estate, chapel and cellars, topped with guided tasting of the estate wines: AOC Côtes de Provence and IGP Vin de Pays des Maures. Other on-site activities include cooking classes and oenology workshops. The restaurant of the Bastide du Clos des Roses, headed up by Chef Dylan Morales, serves refined cuisine exalting Provençal produce.

Nearby things to do and see:

• Visit Fréjus and its many historic, cultural and architectural sights, including the Missiri mosque, Hong-Hien pagoda, Villa Aurélienne and Villa Marie media library – not forgetting the coast and beaches of course!
• Stroll around Saint-Raphaël, along the beaches and through the Notre-Dame quarter to admire the town’s beautiful Belle Époque villas.
• Hike in the Massif de l’Estérel, amid flaming red rocks…
• Hop on the regional express train to Dramont to visit Plage du Débarquement, the site of the Allied Landings.