They no longer sell rooms; they tell stories. In Provence, from the Camargue to the Var coast, from the Alpilles to the Aix region, from the Dentelles de Montmirail to Marseille, a new generation of hoteliers is reinventing the experience of a stay.

Here, we don't just sleep somewhere: we live an experience, we explore a way of life, a territory, a memory, a landscape. COTE Magazine has immersed itself in this metamorphosis to create a unique journey through the region's establishments. Not a list of winners, but an elegant and unique network, rich in strong identities, where each hotel embodies a facet of contemporary Provence. Since 1987, our magazine has forged deep ties with the luxury hotel industry. It is in hotels that we have been distributed from the very beginning. In nearly forty years, we have seen the profession transform: today, hospitality is no longer limited to a soft bed and a turquoise pool. It has become a story, a concept, an immersion. In this special report, we have chosen to highlight what hotels offer us beyond simple accommodation: breathtaking panoramas, private gardens, committed restaurants, incredible spas, unique art galleries, gleaming wine estates, sun-drenched golf links, and above all... passionate hosts. The diversity of these places is the strength of our region: each hotel creates its own signature, attracts its own audience, and extends the history of its land. And far from competition, a true complementarity emerges. Because in Provence, nothing prevents you from sleeping in a haven of peace in the heart of the scrubland, from having lunch in a palace on the seaside, from treating yourself to a treatment in an artist's country house, or from discovering an exhibition in a reinvented château. Through this 30-page report, COTE Magazine pays tribute to these places of passage that have become destinations, these addresses that make this region more desirable, more lively, more unforgettable.

Hotels in the most beautiful villages

Lou Calen

An exceptional hotel in Cotignac, a jewel of Green Provence

Nestled in the heart of Green Provence, Lou Calen reinvents hospitality with soul, refinement and local roots.

In the shadow of a tuff cliff, Cotignac, classified among The Most Beautiful Villages of France, is home to a hospitality treasure: Lou Calen. This 3-hectare estate, steeped in history, was reborn in 2019 under the leadership of Graham Porter, a Canadian entrepreneur who fell in love with the village. From the very beginning, Lou Calen went beyond simple accommodation. It became a cultural and economic driving force with the opening of the La Falaise Art Center, then the La TUF microbrewery, renowned for its Saturday night concerts. In 2020, the Jardin Secret restaurant was opened in the heart of an olive grove, offering refined cuisine. It was awarded a Michelin green star in 2023 for its environmental commitment. Today, Lou Calen offers 36 elegant rooms spread between historic buildings and villas nestled in nature. In June 2024, the estate will be enriched with a second restaurant, whose Sunday brunch is already popular, and the "O' Fadoli" pastis bar, located on the village courtyard in a typically Provençal style. A lively place, Lou Calen organizes workshops (basketry, watercolor, sculpture), artistic events (Classic en Provence, Arts'Falaise), wellness retreats and gourmet encounters all year round. A sensory immersion led by local figures, proud to share their love of Provence. Between discreet luxury, local roots and creative dynamics, Lou Calen embodies remarkable hospitality in PACA. An inspiring refuge, in the heart of this village recognized for its beauty and authenticity since 2022, where heritage, nature and the art of living blend together.

The Hamlet of Baux The delight of rare experiences

Firmly rooted in its region, Le Hameau des Baux offers a selection of experiences to experience the Alpilles. From Les Petites Maisons, explore the sun-drenched landscapes and soak up the scents of Provence aboard a vintage convertible, an electric mountain bike, or even on foot, thanks to the routes chosen for you. From cicadas to olive trees, from the outrageously blue sky to the surreal light, you'll stay in the heart of a postcard-perfect Alpilles, with added privacy. Experiences to round off peacefully in one of the 27 authentic suites or rooms in the heart of the Regional Natural Park.

285 Chem. de Bourgeac, 13520 Paradou • Tel. 04 84 70 00 23

Les Bories & Spa

On the ancient land of the shepherds of Provence, 2000 years of history bring to the hotel The Bories & Spa True authenticity. Just 10 minutes from the famous dry-stone houses and ancient vaults of one of the most beautiful villages in France, the 8-hectare estate benefits from the most wooded part of Gordes. Surrounded by olive trees, cypresses, holm oaks, and lavender, its location is exceptional and allows you to fully enjoy the entire sumptuous Provençal panorama, from the Luberon to the Alpilles. The plant and mineral elements combine in a perfect symphony of colors.

Senanque Abbey Road, 84220 Gordes • Tel. 04 90 72 00 51

The Bérard House

Provençal Heritage Wedding
and a contemporary vision

A 4-star hotel, restaurant, and spa, this establishment combines elegance, tranquility, and the art of living. Maison Bérard wouldn't be what it is without the enchanting setting of La Cadière-d'Azur. This picturesque village, perched atop a hill, 10 minutes from the listed village of Le Castellet, offers a journey through time. With its winding streets lined with flower-bedecked facades, its shaded squares where the sound of cicadas accompanies conversations, and its spectacular views of the vineyards and the sea, La Cadière exudes authenticity and serenity.

6 rue Gabriel Péri, 83740 La Cadière d'Azur • Tel. 04 94 90 11 43

Andéols Estate

Art in freedom in the heart of Provence

The Domaine des Andéols, designed by collector Olivier Massart, is an open-air museum where contemporary art meets Provençal nature. Sculptures, paintings, and works by renowned artists (Raysse, Garouste, Pucci de Rossi, etc.) dot the grounds. Artist-in-residence studios encourage creativity and sharing, making this estate a vibrant space dedicated to aesthetic emotion and cultural transmission.

Les Andéols, 84490 Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt • Tel. 04 83 88 33 77

La Gaude Castle

A bastide of art and oenology

Nestled in a green setting on the lands of Aix-en-Provence, the Château de la Gaude, a 18th-century country house^rd century, opened its doors in July 2019. The art gallery is a distinctive feature in the heart of the French gardens, the farmhouses, the chapel and the orangeries.

3959 Route des Pinchinats,

13100 Aix-en-Provence

Tel. 04 84 93 09 30

Hotel Sainte-Victoire

Art in signature

In this hotel nestled opposite the eponymous mountain, art is omnipresent. To interact with Sainte-Victoire, Francis Guerrier's masterful works were required, such as "Ascendance," a monumental 8,5-meter-high sculpture that welcomes visitors, or the incredibly attractive butterfly aquarium on the wall behind the reception desk. In the entrance, a mobile, a collaborative sculpture between Nicolas Ouchenir, the great calligrapher and creator of the hotel's logo, and Marie Guerrier, rises, carrying phrases from Ovid's Metamorphoses. On the walls, the gaze lingers on Marie Guerrier's delicate prints.

33 avenue des Maquisards, 13126 Vauvenargues • Tel. 04 42 54 01 01

Montgrand House

In the heart of Marseille

At the heart of 6^e district of Marseille, the Maison Montgrand Marseille Vieux-Port is a 3-star boutique hotel that hides a rare gem in the heart of the city: a 400 m² interior garden, a veritable green haven sheltered from view and noise. A true living center of the hotel, this green refuge offers a welcome respite. Here, the outdoors is an experience in its own right. Particularly thanks to the bistronomic restaurant within it, Le Jardin Montgrand, where you can savor fresh, Mediterranean cuisine. A versatile venue, the garden also transforms into an event space for cocktails, lunches, or private parties. Open at all hours of the day, the garden is also accessible for simply having a drink in the shade of the chestnut trees, snacking, or playing pétanque with friends, in a chic guinguette atmosphere.

35 rue Montgrand, 13006 Marseille • Tel. 04 91 00 35 20

A century-old house in the heart of Aix-en-Provence, Le Pigonnet blends elegance, history, and the Provençal art of living. Just a stone's throw from the Cours Mirabeau, this 18th-century country house^e century opens onto emblematic gardens, a source of inspiration for Cézanne and Gréco. In this green and preserved setting, the outdoor spaces become the setting for exceptional moments: alcove lunches, summer evenings lulled by music, and contemplative strolls along the flower-lined paths of its French-style gardens. Each moment is lived in close connection with the green spaces, in an intimate and elegant atmosphere.

5 Av. du Pigonnet, 13090 Aix-en-Provence • Tel. 04 42 59 02 90

Just minutes from the center of Aix-en-Provence, Domaine Gao welcomes you to a verdant haven, where nature is the beating heart of the place. Between a light-filled Provençal country house, a wooded park, shaded terraces, a sunny swimming pool, and a bowling alley shaded by pine trees, everything is designed to savor the moment in a natural and soothing setting. Here, time slows down and the outdoors become an extension of hospitality.

1075 Chem. du Mont Robert, 13290 Aix-en-Provence • Tel. 04 42 24 48 50