Located between Avignon and Aix-en-Provence lies the picturesque village of Lourmarin. The scenery is exactly how you would imagine the French countryside to be: the roads get narrower, lined with sycamore trees to the right and left, until you finally reach the small village. Lourmarin is not only home to the oldest Renaissance castle in the Provence, but also to LE MOULIN, an old mill that has been converted into a hotel. The soul of the Provence can be found in every detail.

Terracotta tiles, sisal floors and the unplastered walls visualize the deliberate sobriety in all its facets. Restrained, warm and unpretentious. Between the densely covered cypress avenues and the sun-bleached facades, you get to know the real Provence. A place of retreat where time is slowed down.

      At Le Moulin, the cuisine also fascinates with its appreciation and aestheticization of simplicity. The restaurant reflects the rhythm of the seasons. Culinary tradition and Provençal classics meet surprising contrasts and modern reinterpretations.

Just over two hours in the car take me to the edge of Saint-Raphaël on the Côte d’Azur. On the coastal strip, between the shimmering reddish rocks and the deep blue sea, a modern building suddenly appears on the right-hand side. Immediately reminiscent of Eileen Gray’s iconic E-1027 villa, it is quite clear that this is not a contemporary building. And indeed: the modernist-looking building is from the 1950s. Formerly a motel, today a luxury retreat with a very special maritime flair.
The HÔTEL LES ROCHES ROUGES impresses with its clarity of design. Immaculate white décor, furnished with hand-picked objects, books and iconic pieces of furniture.

As soon as you get out of the car and walk through the large sliding doors into the lobby area, you are struck by the sight of the sparkling blue sea. It’s as if you’re almost floating right over it. A view to the right shows a natural sea pool that seems to merge with the cliffs, while the view to the left across the sunshades shows the Île d’Or with its stone tower.

Even at the beginning of October, it feels like a never-ending summer at Les Roches Rouges. The white surfaces of the exterior reflect the sun in a mesmerizing way, making sunglasses a must. In any case, the light here is unique. At any time of day, it is unique and captivating. A one-of-a-kind panoramic view of the sea.