France is full of wonderful sites that offer an exotic or enriching getaway. A pleasant way to disconnect and recharge your batteries. To fully enjoy this break, you can unpack your bags in a luxurious 5-star haven and set off to explore the surroundings.
The Convent of the Minims, Mane, Luberon
Between Manosque and Forcalquier, Relais & Châteaux Couvent des Minimes It offers a peaceful haven between lavender and olive trees. Nestled at the foot of a terraced garden, the austere medieval building combines authenticity and design. While respecting the history of the site, which housed nuns until 1999, Fabien and Valérie Piacentino, the hosts, have breathed a breath of modernity into it. The cloister is now topped with a majestic timber frame; the rooms and suites opt for either sober refinement or a more colorful style. Gatien Demczyna, the new executive chef of the two restaurants, plays a southern melody with local products, tinged with touches from elsewhere. After lounging by the pool, a treatment at the L’Occitane spa, a game of tennis, or a game of pétanque, one leaves this refined retreat to explore the surroundings. In addition to the Château de Sauvan, nicknamed the Provençal Petit Trianon, the House of Jean Giono in Manosque and the route through the surrounding hills that he sang about allow visitors to immerse themselves in the writer's work. Nature lovers prefer a walk on the marked trail among the Mourres rocks. Spectacular geological curiosities shaped by erosion.
The most The Michelin-starred restaurant Le Cloître
Get there 3 hours by TGV from Paris to Aix, then 75km by rental car
Le Couvent des Minimes, Chemin des Jeux de Maï, 04300 Mane-en-Provence
Baumanière, Les Baux, Alpilles
Mythical institution conducive to well-being and indulgence, Baumanière, a long-standing member of Relais & Châteaux, It is hidden below the magnificent village of Les Baux-de-Provence, clinging to a spur of the Alpilles mountain range. Set in 20 hectares of gardens bathed in Mediterranean essences, this iconic establishment, perpetually revitalized by Jean-André and Geneviève Charial, offers elegant suites and rooms, each one unique. Spread across five buildings, they blend authenticity and tradition, with designer furniture and pieces found in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. Since this spring, the restaurant has once again been included in the ultra-exclusive club of three stars. Chef Glenn Viel showcases creative cuisine that highlights local produce.
In the afternoon, you can relax by one of the three swimming pools, be pampered at the spa, or, in search of more coolness, attend the show at the Carrières de Lumières. This is an audiovisual spectacle projected from floor to ceiling on 4000m2 of rock walls. When the sun is less intense, you can hike nearby on the trails of the Val d’Enfer, whose scenery inspired Dante, or climb to the village of Les Baux, which invites leisurely strolls. The last stop is the citadel, which recounts the tumultuous past of the village through impressive remains, with the added bonus of an exceptional panorama of the valley.
The most The amazing mineral and green scenery that serves as a setting for the Oustau.
Y go 2 hours and 50 minutes by TGV train from Paris to Avignon, then a 40-minute drive with a rental car
L'Oustau de Baumanière, 13520 Les Baux-de-Provence
La Côte Saint-Jacques, Joigny, Burgundy
In the wine-producing commune of Joigny, between Auxerre and Sens, Relais&Châteaux La Côte Saint-Jacques Promise an idyllic stay between starry feasts, spa cocooning, and strolls. Since 1945, the Lorain family has perpetuated their love of gastronomy and the art of living here. This haven of serenity, set on the banks of the Yonne, offers spacious and cozy rooms and suites, some with a balcony, terrace, or bay window overlooking the river. In addition to generous cuisine with flavors from here and abroad, Jean-Michel, the double Michelin-starred chef, always includes the historic family dishes that have made the restaurant famous on the menu. He has added a «gourmet initiation» menu for children. Enjoy it before they go play in the game room, a fun paradise dedicated to them. Another idea to keep them occupied: wander through the steep streets of Vézelay to the Basilica, a jewel of Romanesque art, saved from ruin by Viollet-le-Duc, or travel back in time at Guédelon Castle. Stonecutters, carpenters, blacksmiths, woodturners... are building a fortress using 13th-century techniques. Initiation workshops allow you to discover the gestures of medieval builders. Attention enthusiasts!
The highlight: hotel services for children
Get there 1.5 hours from Paris via the A6 motorway, exit Joigny, then 13km to the hotel.
La Côte Saint-Jacques, 14 faubourg de Paris, 89300 Joigny
