Weekend getaways: hotels and destinations to relax in

A relaxing weekend at Baumanière, the legendary Baux-de-Provence address

The pitch? For a relaxing weekend away, here's one of our favorite, easy-to-reach addresses in France! Born in the aftermath of the Second World War, this legendary Relais & Châteaux nestles at the foot of the cliffs of Les Baux-de-Provence. Imagine Baumanière as a magnificent residence with walls steeped in history, surrounded by a lush vegetable garden. A summer haven for many celebrities, the hotel boasts 53 rooms designed and decorated with sobriety and elegance by Geneviève Charial and Philippine Lemaire, interior designer and decorator: soft colors, works of art and contemporary touches blend perfectly with the old stones and warm atmosphere that make Provencal homes so charming. Outside, there are three swimming pools, bucolic corners where you can read in the shade of the trees, fruit trees and a huge vegetable garden, the larder of the three-starred table where Glenn Viel officiates, a prodigious chef of extraordinary delicacy, whose inventiveness in working with plants seems to know no bounds.

3 relaxing weekend experiences

• A stroll through the immense garden: a huge kitchen garden, greenhouses for Baumanière's famous peas and beans, rose and herb gardens, this is the perfect opportunity to discover an authentic plant paradise, which feeds Glenn Viel's cuisine and imagination every day. Same-day-picked vegetables, no refrigerators, beehives... and gardeners who'll be delighted to answer any questions you may have on the subject.
• Lunch under the trees at l'Oustau de Baumanière: a meal at l'Oustau, one of France's finest restaurants, is a must for any stay at Baumanière, thanks to its three-starred chef, who applies himself to "working with a product when it is at its quintessential taste". On the plate, incomparable vegetables, meats and fish cooked to the finest detail, surprising seasonings, not to mention an absolutely dizzying selection of wines, with over 50,000 bottles in the cellar (and the possibility of continuing with a tasting of wines from the estate and the region).

• Treat yourself to an olive treatment at the Spa: located right next to the hotel reception, the Spa de Baumanière, one of the most beautiful in Provence, offers a moment of absolute calm in the midst of nature, with a range of Sisley phyto-aromatic treatments and "Une Olive en Provence", a range of natural olive-based cosmetics. Relaxing massage, exfoliation, sculpting, reflexology... Tailor-made pampering of the highest order, the highlight of a successful weekend of relaxation!

Baumanière Les-Baux-de-Provence
From €372 per night.
900 Route d'Arles, 13520 Les Baux-de-Provence

70 Hectares... et l'Océan, relaxation among the pines in Landes

Located in the heart of the Golf de Seignosse, the 70 Hectares... et l'Océan hotel is housed in a dark green-painted wooden building reminiscent of American forest lodges. With its 32 rooms and suites spread over 3 floors, all equipped with large picture windows overlooking the Landes forest, this establishment is a haven of peace for lovers of well-being and wellness.

The rooms are light and bright, decorated with taste and elegance, featuring muted colors on headboards, hanging lamps and soft works by the artist SupaKitch. Some rooms even have terraces overlooking the treetops, providing the ideal setting for relaxation.

The first floor of the hotel is also very pleasant, with cheerfully decorated lounges reminiscent of the worlds of golf and surfing, as well as a bar and restaurant that extends onto a terrace overlooking the pine forest and golf course. The cuisine is delicious, with an outdoor rotisserie and plancha serving seafood and South-West specialties such as grilled octopus, sautéed chipirons, croquetas made on site, Arcachon oysters and fish from the Capbreton fish market.

3 relaxing weekend experiences

• Chef Jérome Merlo's daily snack at reception,
• Families can use the private karaoke room to create their own playlist and sing along,
• Lunch on the terrace of the neighboring property, Les Hortensias du Lac, on the shores of Lake Hossegor, and enjoy its 450 m² spa, the largest in the area.

70 Hectares... et l'Océan
32 keys from 160€ per night
Avenue du Belvédère, 40510 Seignosse

La Bastide du Mourre, a Zen bath in the Luberon

The pitch? In the Luberon, on a hill overlooking the village of Oppède le Vieux, this peaceful refuge combines disconnection, relaxation and pleasure. Overlooking magnificent scenery, this 17th-century bastide, open since May 2023, belongs to the Les Domaines de Fontenille Collection. But unlike Frédéric Biousse and Guillaume Foucher's other houses, this guesthouse offers a holistic, made-to-measure approach to well-being.

What's the guesthouse like? Designed like a small Provencal hamlet, La Bastide du Mourre combines historic charm with modern amenities. Surrounded by greenery, this 4-star hotel strikes a balance between communal living and independent living. All the facilities are accessible to all, but vast private areas allow each individual to find solitude and serenity.
In the house itself, there are 5 uncluttered bedrooms, with white walls and wooden furniture. The rooms are enlivened by an antique herbarium, or a few dried plants emerging from a soliflore. In the bathrooms, the Susanne Kaufmann natural skincare range reinforces the emphasis on nature. Next door, five one- or two-bedroom gîtes cater to those who aspire to greater independence.

And the table? No restaurant, but gourmet breakfasts served at the table d'hôtes. And if you're feeling a bit peckish, a snack menu, reserved exclusively for residents, is available on the terrace. From morning to night, quinoa salad, Provençal gazpacho and gravlax salmon are accompanied by fresh, homemade fruit juices, including an energizing green vegetable/spirulina cocktail.

Wellness? The n°1 asset of this unique place. The aim: to take a break, listen to yourself, take care of yourself, without constraints, frustration or guilt. This new concept begins with a morning activity that changes every day: muscular awakening, yoga (hatha, vinyasa, ashtanga, kundalini), pilates, meditation. The à la carte program can be continued with a consultation, on request, with a naturopath. This in-depth consultation gives rise to a personalized assessment for a healthier lifestyle.
In addition to a swimming pool with a view and a tennis court on the estate, guided or individual hikes to discover the Luberon Park are also available.

And the spa? In all three cabins, the emphasis is on On the Wild Side products. These organic, 100% natural cosmetics, made in France from wild plants, were designed by Anne-Sophie Nardy. Discover Wild Spirit, whose deep, slow maneuvers bring zenitude, or the stimulating Wild Harmony to restore tone and vitality.

La Bastide du Mourre
10 key from 250 € per night
251 chemin du Mourre, 84590 Oppède

Take a wellness break at Lily of the Valley near Saint-Tropez

The pitch? A member of the Leading Hotels of the World collection, this 5-star hotel nestled on the peninsula boasts a poetic name and Philippe Starck architecture, setting it apart from all the other hotels in the area. Located near Gigaro beach, surrounded by protected natural areas, Lily of the Valley is a human-scale hotel in Saint-Tropez - 38 rooms and 6 suites with private terraces - that offers all the comfort and luxury of a grand hotel: two swimming pools, two restaurants, and 2,000m2 dedicated to well-being, with gyms and a holistic spa.

3 relaxing weekend experiences

• Take a dip in the heated semi-Olympic pool, before recharging your batteries in the sauna.
• Restore your health (and your figure) at the Shape Club, accompanied by a dietician.
• Treat yourself to the luxury of a yoga session on the rocks by the sea.

Lily of the Valley
38 rooms and 6 suites from €450 per night.
Colline Saint-Michel, Quartier de Gigaro, 83420 La Croix-Valmer

Sleep among the vines at the Royal Champagne Hôtel & Spa

The pitch? An impressive 5-star hotel nestled in the heart of the Champagne region, long one of the most prestigious hotel addresses in the Champagne vineyards, now completely revamped following a monumental renovation campaign completed in 2018. A Pharaonic project, with the original building now joined by a new contemporary wing designed by architect Giovanni Pace, opening onto a landscape of vines as far as the eye can see and the bucolic relief of the Marne valley. From the moment you enter the lobby of Royal Champagne, the tone is set: an impressive sense of space, contemporary furnishings, and rooms of incomparable comfort: competition-quality bedding, large walk-in closets, state-of-the-art technology... Not to mention a gourmet restaurant and one of France's finest spas, covering an area of 1,500 m2.

3 relaxing weekend experiences

• Pamper yourself in one of the 9 treatment rooms of the immenseSpa, unless you prefer the 25-meter indoor pool with panoramic view, the jacuzzi, not to mention a second outdoor pool overlooking the vineyards, infinity pool style
• Dine at the Michelin-starred Le Royal restaurant, where chef Christophe Raoux officiates
• Take an electric bike ride through the Champagne vineyards.

Royal Champagne Hôtel & Spa
49 rooms and suites from €579 per night.
9 Rue de la République, 51160 Champillon.

Gastronomic getaway at Fleur de Loire | At Blois

The Fleur de Loire hotel, run by Michelin-starred chef Christophe Hay, is located in Blois, on the banks of the Loire. The establishment, which occupies a historic 17th-century hospice, boasts 44 rooms and a Maison de Cuisine showcasing local Loire produce. Chef Christophe Hay is committed to sustainable gastronomy and runs two restaurants: "Christophe Hay" in the main building, and "Amour Blanc" in a contemporary stone and glass building with panoramic views over the Loire. In both restaurants, the menu is based on seasonal produce and the chef's own preferences, such as carp à la Chambord, truffles, Sologne game and caviar, mielet and organic goat's cheeses. The "Amour Blanc" table retains all the elegance of the former and features exquisite wagyu beef from the estate's own herd.

Fleur de Loire
44 keys.
26 Quai Villebois Mareuil, 41000 Blois

Discover the new face of the Hôtel du Palais in Biarritz | Pays Basque

The pitch? Now owned by the Hyatt group, the one and only Palace on the Atlantic coast continues to be a dream come true for fans of the Basque Coast. A magnificent vestige of the Napoleonic era, the former imperial residence of Napoleon III and Eugenie has been reinventing itself with panache since its reopening in 2023. Upstairs, 142 luminous rooms and suites are decorated in marine colors, with high ceilings, tapestries, rare paintings, noble fabrics and trompe-l'oeil... And on the first floor, guests can dine at La Rotonde, a gourmet restaurant offering breathtaking ocean views.

3 relaxing weekend experiences

• Relax at the 3,000 m² Spa Impérial Guerlain, spread over five floors, with freshwater pool, jacuzzi, hammam, sauna and Institut du Cheveu Leonor Greyl 
• Swim laps in the impressive Californian seawater pool overlooking Biarritz's Grande Plage
• Discover the most beautiful corners of the Basque Country (Bidart, Guéthary, Saint-Jean-de-Luz...) or drive to San Sebastián for pintxos.

Hôtel du Palais Biarritz
86 rooms and 56 suites. From 340€ per night.
1, Avenue de l'Impératrice, 64200 Biarritz

Take refuge at La Mamounia, Marrakech's iconic palace