What's better than the sweet life of Aix-en-Provence for a getaway to a hotel with a spa, where you can revel in the tranquility and beauty of Paul Cézanne's beloved region.
Villa La Coste
For whom?
For epicureans with a taste for beauty: contemporary art and gastronomy – across 4 tables – form the foundation of this unique winery.
The pitch:
Alone 5-star hotel in Aix-en-Provence with spa A classified palace (there are only 35 in France), we savor the pleasure of entering this 200-hectare estate, all meadows and hills, vineyards and groves, already captivated by the monumental sculptures, astonished by the uniqueness of the cellar designed by Jean Nouvel, the purity of the contemporary art center created by Tadao Ando. Slightly set back, it unveils Hôtel Villa La Coste and its 28 suites with a clean, designer atmosphere and unparalleled views of the Luberon.
The restaurants are also scattered, from Vanina's Italian flavors, the Mediterranean freshness of this Provençal Terrace, the grilled aromas of Francis Mallmann's Argentine table (3 Michelin stars in Argentina), to culminate in a grand finale with Hélène Darroze's establishment, adorned with a Michelin star.
How to get there
By train, 3 hours from Paris-Gare de Lyon, then 20 minutes by rental car from the Aix-en-Provence TGV station.
We like:
- The hotel’s spa, located 15 minutes from Aix-en-Provence, naturally features clean lines and fine materials that perfectly complement the quality of the treatments—100% natural, organic, and locally sourced products—along with a sauna, affusion shower, steam rooms, and floatation beds: everything comes together to promote relaxation in a spa of unparalleled luxury.
- Space - from 90 to 250 m2 – and the brightness of the Villa Suites, with, as a highlight, those with private pools.
- The vineyard, cultivated organically and biodynamically, where one can wander in search of the thirty or so monumental sculptures that animate it.
- The offer, sporadic and Sunday, «yoga & brunch.».
Villa La Coste
2750 Route de la Cride, 13610 Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade
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Hôtel Le Pigonnet
For whom?
A hotel For those seeking lost time, in search of tranquility yet only a stone's throw from the lively streets of Aix-en-Provence (barely a 10-minute walk, less by electric bike provided by the reception).
The pitch:
Ten minutes from the center of Aix-en-Provence, an alley of plane trees shows the way to this venerable 18th-century manor house.e century. Paul Cézanne came here as a connoisseur, sharpening his brushes to better capture the beauty of the gardens. The murmur of the fountains, the majesty of the ancient trees, the ivy-covered trellises: here, time elegantly stands still. Behind the pink facade, a decor of gentle softness, contemporary but understated, much like the 44 rooms. From 20 to 60 m2 each one has its own charm and colors, some extended by a terrace to better mingle with the cicadas.
The new development? A gym and, above all, a spa, to be enjoyed alone or, even better, as a couple. A sauna, a steam room, and expert hands: everything will be for the best.
How to get there
By train, 3 hours from Paris-Gare de Lyon, then 20 minutes by rental car from the Aix-en-Provence TGV station.
We like:
- Two bars for daydreaming: Côté Jardin, perfect for reading in the sun. And Bar 1924, with its English club vibe, for ending the evening.
- The beautiful pool, sheltered by tall pines, surrounded by chaises longues.
- The view that never gets old, of Mont Sainte-Victoire.
- At the restaurant in Aix-en-Provence Bistronomy, unpretentious cuisine, comforting dishes like this chicken pot or this monkfish medallion, subtly given a modern twist by chef Thierry Balligand.
Hôtel Le Pigonnet
5 Pigonnet Avenue, 13090 Aix-en-Provence
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Château de La Gaude
For whom?
For lovers of beautiful gardens, oenology, and gastronomy, in a refined setting where serenity is not the least of its qualities.
The pitch:
We are left speechless in front of the sumptuous French formal garden, a classified historic monument. And we are surprised to go back more than two centuries upon discovering the modernity of this bastide with its blond stone and regular lines. Seventeen rooms and suites are scattered between the château and the longhouses. All feature very modern yet fundamentally warm decor. Honey-colored parquet flooring and minimalist furniture combine to create a sense of total serenity.
A calmness found at the spa: a sauna, a steam room, a sensory shower, and 4 cabins decorated in homage to various fashion designers for a Valmont treatment, solo or in pairs. Another immersion, the course Energy yoga and its promise calming.
How to get there
By train, 3 hours from Paris-Gare de Lyon, then 35 minutes by rental car from the Aix-en-Provence TGV station.
We like:
- «L'Art,» the Michelin-starred (1 star) gastronomic restaurant of Chef Matthieu Dupuis Baumal, for its daring cuisine.
- The 3 comfortable wooden cocoons, wide open to nature, for an unusual night of reconnection.
- The 3 other tables: two Japanese restaurants: Kaiseki, and its explosions of flavor, and Le K for its umami lunch, and the brasserie La Source with its street food.
- Mont Sainte-Victoire in majesty from the «Le Capéou» plot, the highest point of the 13 hectares of vines at this Relais & Châteaux.
Château de la Gaude
3959 Pinchinats Road, 13100 Aix-en-Provence
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Villa Gallici
For whom?
For those who dream of immersing themselves for a few days in a deliciously baroque universe, while being within easy reach of discovering the city of Cézanne.
The pitch:
This Relais & Châteaux, a short walk from the city center, unfolds, behind its 18th-century Venetian facadee, opulent decoration with true refinement. Period furniture, antique rugs, shimmering velvets, iridescent silks, and those fields of flowers on the walls! And those gilded mirrors above the fireplaces! The 23 keys to this 5-star hotel enchant with their baroque and rococo decor as much as they have delighted Bradley Cooper and Sophie Marceau.
The 200 m2 the spa, bearing the Carita signature, is housed in a charming 18th-century pavilione century. To the jacuzzi And in addition to the sauna, there is a fitness room, a cryotherapy chamber, and most importantly, a wide range of diverse treatments to try in one of the two cabins.
How to get there
By train, 3 hours from Paris-Gare de Lyon or 45 minutes from Lyon, then ½ hour by car from the Aix-en-Provence TGV station.
We like:
- Under the plane trees on the terrace or in the opulent lounges, Christophe Gavot's gastronomic table wonderfully tantalizes the finest Provençal and Italian products, as evidenced by these ravioli Vitello Tonnato style.
- The incredible wine cellar, shaped like a decanter, for tasting one of 150 exceptional references.
- The superb outdoor shaded pool, heated year-round.
- The 2 hectares of well-ordered gardens, where one enjoys strolling, between tall cypresses and abundantly flowering bushes.
The Gallici Villa
18 Violette Avenue, 13100 Aix-en-Provence
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The Sainte Victoire Lodges
For whom?
For those who don't want to choose between indulgence and relaxation, charm and modernity, tranquility and unparalleled views.
The pitch:
In the heart of olive groves and vineyards, this pretty 18th-century bastidee to become a delightful 5-star hotel just 10 minutes from Aix-en-Provence. Browns, whites, beiges, and grays lend their softness to the 35 south-facing rooms and suites. Oak parquet flooring and contemporary furniture give them a particularly warm atmosphere.
Serenity has infiltrated the 200m2 The spa. A few laps in the heated indoor pool, a bit of exercise in the dedicated room; then one gladly relaxes in the steam room and sauna before choosing one of the signature massages with Provençal scents.
How to get there
By train, 3 hours from Paris-Gare de Lyon, then 25 minutes by car from the Aix-en-Provence TGV station.
We like:
- Le Saint-Estève, and its Michelin star, which rewards the cuisine of chef Julien Le Goff – naturally Provençal, full of seasonal colors and flavors.
- The 3 private villas of 150 m2 each with a private pool, which can even be booked on a nightly basis.
- Contemplate the sunset over Mount Sainte-Victoire while sipping a cocktail.
- The 2 heated outdoor pools, nestled in the garden, open as soon as the weather is nice. The one reserved exclusively for adults is particularly appreciated for a romantic getaway.
The Sainte Victoire Lodges
2250 Rte Cézanne, 13100 Le Tholonet
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