10 bastides and mas where to stay in Provence

Elegance and chic sobriety are the watchwords of thehotel La Grande Bastide. This 4-star hotel with only a small number of rooms near Saint-Paul-de-Vence is ideal for a romantic and relaxing stay in a beautiful corner of Provence.

The intimate atmosphere is enhanced by the Provencal-style buildings, with their bare stone walls and dark green curtains. And in the middle of it all, a pretty swimming pool shaded by a single palm tree and heated in season. There is no restaurant, so you'll have to leave this little paradise at some point...

Overlooking Gordes, one of the most beautiful villages in France, the palace La Bastide de Gordes suspends time against the splendid backdrop of the Luberon. This 5-star hotel is a privileged place that combines the comfort and advantages of a modern palace with the history andarchitecture of Provence.

The intimate rooms turn this hotel into a real castle where you can feel at home, like a family home handed down from generation to generation. The swimming pool and wellness centre allow guests to recharge their batteries. The restaurant's luxurious terrace offers breathtaking views of the Alpilles mountain range.

Hidden in the pine forest surrounding Aix-en-Provence, the capital of Provence, Domaine Gaogaia is a privileged location. The 18 sleek, modern rooms are housed in an 18th-century bastide house, offering visitors a striking contrast between the ancient and the contemporary.

More than just a 3-star hotel, the Domaine is a place where the people of Aix come together for a sophisticated cocktail in the outdoor lounge or to share a gourmet lunch on the veranda of the bistronomic restaurant. Its large swimming pool is a real plus when summer arrives.

On the edge of the Camargue Regional Nature Park, Mas de la Fouque is in the heart of the Camargue countryside, with its feet in the water, surrounded by pink flamingos, bulls and horses. With its wooden pontoons, stilted structures and dazzling white buildings, this 4-star hotel has a real "Out of Africa" feel.

The hotel's 27 rooms and suites are uniquely decorated, with either a world and nature theme or a truly contemporary feel, and feature a private terrace with a view of the surrounding ponds or the swimming pool. The restaurant serves organic cuisine using local produce from the Camargue.

Nestling in the heart of Provence, theHôtel & Spa du Castellet, a member of the Relais & Châteaux association, guarantees a stay full of charm and relaxation. With its two-star restaurant, 700-square-metre spa, six-hole golf course in the grounds and indoor and outdoor pools, the hotel offers guests every comfort...

This 5-star hotel offers 42 individually decorated rooms and suites. All south-facing, they reflect the colours of Provence in a chic, refined style. The materials are noble, the layout is tasteful and the atmosphere is one of relaxation and travel.

TheHôtel Capelongue covers six hectares near Bonnieux. What a pleasure it is to wander through the alleys of this estate, which is clad in stone like a typical Vaucluse village. The intoxicating scents of pine, cypress and lavender evoke the gentle southern way of life, while the chirping of birds and the song of cicadas soothe the spirit.

In the bedrooms, wood, linen and cream tones create an elegant, bright interior. The restaurant chefs orchestrate the cuisine of this large family home using produce from the kitchen garden, local producers and their walks in the hills of the Luberon. Thehuge swimming pool provides a welcome cool break on hot summer days.

Nestling in a building of typical Provencal architecture in the village of Les Baux-de-Provence, the Benvengudo hotel offers the promise of a peaceful stay, permeated only by the song of the cicadas. It offers the promise of a peaceful stay, permeated only by the song of the cicadas.

This small 4-star hotel offers a personalised, high-quality service: a delicious restaurant, a heated swimming pool and rooms full of charm where white is everywhere. The rooms are spacious and decorated in the typical style of a charming country house, with a modern twist.

If you're preparing to visit a place as beautiful as Saint-Paul-de-Vence, you owe it to yourself to stay in a hotel that's up to the task! The Domaine du Mas de Pierre is a superb 5* establishment belonging to the prestigious Relais & Châteaux group. It's an elegant place to stay for those with taste... and means.

The hotel has 48 bright, feminine rooms in different stone-walled bastides, with Provençal style throughout. The garden covers more than 20,000 square metres and is filled with ancient olive trees, lavender, orange and lemon trees. There is a swimming pool, spa and two excellent restaurants.

Mas Djoliba is less like a hotel and more like a magnificent little guest house with a certain Provencal charm. This mas, nestled in a peaceful, residential area, is high above Antibes, yet only a 15-minute walk from the centre of the magnificent old town.

The building dates back to 1920 and was converted into a 3-star hotel in the 1950s, offering 13 comfortable and tastefully decorated rooms. This is a great place for holidaymakers, especially couples, looking for both an authentic Provencal setting and a convenient location close to Antibes' attractions.

La Bastide de Moustiers, in the heart of the garrigue of the Gorges du Verdon, has put the well-being of its guests at the centre of its concerns. The rooms are spacious and carefully decorated, with the scent of lavender wafting through the estate.

Although the prices are quite high, you'll soon realise that they pay for themselves, given the quality of the 4-star hotel's services: shaded swimming pool, Michelin-starred restaurant, olive grove... A real haven of peace in Provence.