Convivial entrepreneur JeanPhilippe and beautiful art connoisseur Marie met in Switzerland, and decided to combine their prodigious talents to create their perfect home and an intimate guesthouse. After extensive research throughout Provence they realised the first place they saw was the one which ticked all the boxes. A former 19th-century hunting lodge turned private home, La Bastide des Grands Chênes has a handsome classical exterior, a big inviting front door and well-proportioned rooms set in 8000 m2 of gracious gardens and woods. While the previous owners had constructed a superb swimming pool complete with a lily pond and shaded by trees, the rest of the property needed work. A lot of work.
Two years later, the transformation was complete. Natural materials throughout from sisal to brass, pottery to linen give texture and warmth. Colours are earthy and understated; statement lighting and a fascinating mix of artworks add layers of interest. There are five gorgeous bedrooms, not a dud amongst them, all with kingsize beds and views across the grounds. They added a garden-facing terrace hung with Moroccan lamps and adorned with oversize pots for breakfasting at leisure. Venture forth to see a myriad of sights from Aix to Avignon, discover the bucolic countryside and explore the Alpilles Regional Nature Park; return to this supremely cosseting and romantic haven.
Highs
- Stunning interiors throughout, from vintage finds to the textured tiles in the bathrooms; this is a high quality renovation
- Delightful, friendly owners who can't do enough for you
- Excellent breakfasts featuring local and artisanal produce and products
- Beautiful secluded lagoon-style swimming pool with sloping sides, loungers and a lovely Moroccan-styled pool bar
- Handy location between Aix, Avignon, Marseilles and the Luberon, close to beautiful villages and the Alpilles Regional Park
Lows
- No kids under 16 and no pets permitted; this is a couples' retreat
- JeanPhilippe and Marie live here, yet there's plenty of space for all and you can be as private as you wish
- Only breakfast is served; JeanPhilippe and Marie can advise on local eateries, wineries and restaurants
- You'll have to drive to sights – there are plenty but none on the doorstep
- In keeping with this being a home you're invited into, there's a no shoes policy indoors, which we really liked
Best time to go
Provence is a delight from spring (dappled sunshine and blooms), to autumn (autumn colours and harvest bounty); although it can get very warm in the summer months. La Bastide des Grands Chenes is closed October to Easter.
Our top tips
This corner of France sees competing claims for the most beautiful village in the land. In contention are Les Baux-de-Provence with its castle and the immersive Carrieres de Lumieres experience in a limestone quarry. Or the pretty perched villages Roussillon, Gorde, Saignon and Ansouis in the Luberon. Lacoste made famous by the Marquis de Sade, or Lourmarin with its narrow café-lined streets. Visit them all to choose your favourite, ideally on market day – there's a colourful market every morning of the week.
- Boutique Guesthouse
- 5 rooms
- Breakfast only, restaurants nearby
- Over 16s only
- Closed: Early Oct - Easter
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car essential
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
There are only five beautifully appointed rooms, each individual yet sharing an elegant aesthetic. Kingsize beds are dressed in excellent linens and muted velvet throws and cushions. Walls may be covered in fabric, decorated in earthy abstracts, adorned with mirrors. Rugs and tiles are textural. Lighting is oversize or directional, always warm, with shades in metal or natural materials. There's a hanging rail, Tunisian fouta towels for the pool, wicker baskets and bathrobes in each. We were surprised and impressed to discover that many of the paintings are by Marie herself. If you like the overall effect (we did) you can buy selected items sourced from Morocco or scented candles and diffusers from Les Lumières du Temps.
Olivier on the first floor, where we stayed in supreme comfort, has views out over the gracious grounds to the lagoon pool. The ensuite bathroom comes with a walk-in shower and twin sinks.
The four remaining bedrooms are on the top floor, and all have air-conditioning. Alpilles and Amandier also face the garden; the former has an in-room tub with shower over, the latter an ensuite shower bathroom. Mistral and Atelier are front-facing with shower and in-room tub and shower respectively. All have twin sinks in their bathrooms bar Mistral; toiletries are by Natural Remedies.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Central heating
- Fan
- Hairdryer
- Toiletries
- WiFi
Eating
Breakfast is the only meal served here, taken on the terrace under a vine-twined pagoda hung with wicker lamps, or in the glass-sided garden room if the weather isn't perfect. We feasted from dainty bowls of fresh fruit, local cheeses and cold cuts, delicious breads, an array of confitures and preserves, and eggs cooked to order.
After a day's sightseeing, head down the garden to the attractive pool bar where sundowner drinks and nibbles can be arranged. There's a summer kitchen here too where you can prepare light snacks if you don't want to head out for dinner.
For dining options nearby, Marie and JeanPhilippe are a fount of knowledge, and can advise according to your requirements. Les Armieux (open Thursdays-Sundays) is just a couple of minutes' walk, and there are a couple of eateries in nearby Lambesc (5 minute drive) too. Le Mas Bottero in Saint-Cannat (10 minutes) comes recommended, and there are more to choose from in Salon-de-Provence (20 minutes). We dined in fine style at steak restaurant La Fontaine in Lourmarin (30 minutes) which has many restaurants and cafes along its picturesque cobbled streets.
Features include:
- Breakfast
- Restaurants nearby
- Vegetarian options
Activities
- Honey-coloured Aix-en-Provence, the city of 1000 fountains, is 30 minutes down the road. Check out venerable Saint-Sauveur Cathedral, the imposing Town Hall, the park, and gracious buildings, especially along the Cours Mirabeau. As befits the birthplace of Cezanne there are many art establishments; we enjoyed the exhibitions in Hotel de Caumont
- Countryside pursuits include golf, wine tasting and visiting chateaux – Marie and JeanPhilippe can advise best courses and domaines
- Discover the beautiful Alpilles Regional Natural Park – its pine forests, lavender fields and limestone mountains – whether hiking, cycling or on horseback
- Founded by the Romans and painted by Van Gogh, Unesco-listed Arles is about a 45-minute drive; worth it for the well-preserved amphitheatre and theatre, the art museums and Provencal Romanesque masterpiece St-Trophime Church
- Take a day visit to France's oldest city Marseilles for its beaches, history, architecture and culture. Must-sees include the Old Port overlooked by Bonne-mère (the magnificent Romano-Byzantine church)
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Cycling
- Golf
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Horse riding
- Museums / galleries
- Shopping / markets
- Swimming
- Wine tasting
Kids
La Bastide des Grands Chenes welcomes young adults from 16 years only.
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
La Bastide des Grands Chênes is between the small towns of Lambesc and Saint-Cannat, which is in the heart of Provence. It's close to the Alpilles and the Luberon massif, and is 20km from Aix-en-Provence (30 minutes), 30km from Marseilles and 60km from Avignon.
By Air:
Fly to Marseille Provence Airport (40 minutes) or to Nice (2-2.5 hours).
By Train:
Alight at TGV Aix-en-Provence, which is outside Aix on the way to Marseilles, and 35-40 minutes away.
By Car:
To make the most of the area, you will need a hire car. Check out our car rental recommendations. There's parking at the property.
Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Marseilles Provence Airport 26.0 km MRS
- Nice Côte d'Azur Airport 190.0 km NCE
Other:
- Beach 50.0 km
- Shops 3.0 km
- Restaurant 3.0 km
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