Small stylish hotels in Provence and guests houses are putting the lesser known Alpilles region of Provence in the spotlight.
Le Jas de L’Ange was built five years ago and lies in 13 hectares of land in the Eastern Alpilles , a low mountainous region of dramatic pine trees and olive groves. Just a few minutes drive East of the village of Eygalieres. Three years ago the owners opened four separate , guest suites, decorated in classic French style ( Linen curtains, traditional embroidered bedcovers) with exotic accents.. The tour de Force is the Heated swimming pool, constructed to resemble a natural bassin carved into the rock. Massages are offered in a converted outhouse. Lunch is served daily in the boho , Morrocan -style summer dinning area.
Two dinners a week can be arranged but the well -regarded Bistro D’Eygalieres ( Pricey, but worth every penny) and its sister restaurant Le Petit Bru ( serving good-value set menu dinners) are just up the road.
www.jasdelange.com
La Maison du Village in Saint Remy de Provence. It was love at first sight when I first got to this beautiful townhouse hotel, rich & vibrant colours of Provence: bright raspberry, scarlet and aubergine combined with pale-pistachio, rose and cream. The owners bought the home 4 years ago when it was inhabited by the village’s cats.. Thanks to their hard work and Esther’s flair for interior decoration.Many of the original features remain( wooden beams, tomette tiled flooring) , and antique mirrors, chandeliers and iron day beds have been mixed with contemporary sofas.
The hotel has handwritten , ribbon-tied menus , Cote Bastide bath products, background lounge music and glorious scented candles ( Dyptiques), no mini bars ,TV or swimming pool ( Guests have access to the pool at the hotel L’Atelier up the road).
www.lamaisonduvillage.com
Mas du Greou, Eyragues
Down a small track a few kilometers from Saint Remy is Creou, a classic blue-shuttered mas owned by the Berges family ( Luc-Marie & Cathy and their 3 children and their dog Lola). Greou is part maison d’ hotes , part family house; The suites are of hotel standard ( air conditioning, telephones, satellite TV and DVD). Luc- Marie is an enthusiatic cook, friendly and informative. The meals are simple & Fresh, using local organic produce; dinners many include courgette soup, foie gras and mesclun salad, followed by cheese and creme brulee. The Berges ‘ comfortable , book-lined living room is perfect for an” apero”in front of the fire and the dining room is filled with drawings by French artist Guy Buffet, who is Cathy’s uncle. They were going to expand the mas in the winter time, converting an out-building into another two bedroom suite and public spaces. By now they have probably built their addition and have regained their dining room.
www.greou.com
L’hotel particulier, Arles
I fell in love with the hotel as I entered the enchanting garden with its raised bassin d’eau fronting an intimate 19th-century townhouse. Built by Guillaume Meiffren-Laugier, Baron of Chartrouse , when he became mayor in 1824, the house opened as an hotel in 2002 after 6 months of renovation and redecoration by the current owner, Brigitte Pages de Olveira. There are 7 bedrooms and sumptuously decorated public areas such as the deep red dining room and purple living room. Arles has a strong Moorish culture and on special occasions the garden is tented -over , kabash -style. The atmosphere at l’Hotel particulier is relaxed and informal, thanks largely to Mme pages and the staff. The hotel is located not far from the impressive 1st-century Roman theater and amphitheater. www.hotel-particulier.com
Mas de la Fourbine, Saint-Martin-De-Crau
In the late 2001, Dany Mangion and her husband Pascal bought a dilapilated house on 10 hectares of land at the north -eastern edge of the Camargue, near Saint-Martin-De-Crau. Seven months later , after extensive renovations , they opened Mas de la Fourbine, a very charming maison d’hotes with five double rooms and a converted stable, rented separately to families and groups.
There is a south sea influence due to the couple spending 30 years in Tahiti, yet this 17th century mas is unmistakably Provencal, simple linen curtains antiques, antiques from L’Isle sur la Sorgue and decorative saddles from La Camargue. They served a wonderful breakfast ( coffee, pastries, yogurt,fresh fruits and fresh eggs , laid by the Fourbine hens) on the pretty terrace surrounded by fragrant herbs.
www.avignon-et-provence.com
Arles, Camargue
Mas de Greou, Eyragues. Swimmin pool
Purple living room at L'hotel Particulier.
Hotel - Boutique
Le mas du Greou, Eyragues
