Coquillade Provence, A Lush Hilltop Hamlet in the Provençal Countryside
February 1, 2021 by Allison Reiber DiLiegro
Spanning 104 acres surrounded by 90 acres of vineyards in the heart of the Luberon, Coquillade Provence is the Provence of your sun-dappled dreams. From its hilltop perch, the property overlooks the rolling hills, lavender fields, and olive groves made famous by Peter Mayle’s A Year in Provence. If you, like Mr. Mayle, ever dreamed of living in the French countryside, this is your chance – for a few days, at least.
There’s a reason Coquillade calls itself a village. While it has all the plush trappings of a five-star Relais & Chateaux resort, a village feel permeates. The property is spread across a collection of bastides, or country houses, in the North and South side that once comprised a hamlet. The oldest building on these grounds dates back to the 11th century.
These bastides are home to 63 rooms and suites, each decorated in Provençal style with stone floors, exposed beams, breezy linens, ochre tones, and charming objets d’art sourced from the local antique markets. The North side consists of six authentic bastides with 28 rooms and suites. While the South side boasts 35 rooms and suites with a more modern esthetic that were constructed in 2015. Each room has its own garden or veranda with views over the hills. For those seeking more space, there is the Sunset Suite, which offers an expansive garden, an outdoor jacuzzi, and stunning sunset views, of course. Or, opt for the Pool Suite, which has a large garden with a private heated pool and jacuzzi. Families can choose a two-bedroom family suite, which has its own large terrace.
The Bastide Les Vallats is a a charming six-bedroom villa with a private outdoor pool for 12-14 guests. It is perfect for a family retreat or a special celebration.
Those who like to keep busy are in luck. There’s much to do on property, like strolling the vineyard paths, swimming laps in their indoor or outdoor pools, playing tennis or pétanque, or hitting the state-of-the-art gym. The action-packed kids’ club is open in July and August. Of course, luxuriating is also an option, whether that’s tasting wines from Aureto, the property’s winery, reading by the pool or unwinding in the 1,700-square-foot Spa Mêilaij. Recently expanded, the spa is centered around the art of living, offering authentic treatments, hammam, Kneipp basins, Ice Fall and more aimed at achieving balance and tranquility.
Or, set out and explore. Coquillade Provence is surrounded by charming hilltop towns with open-air markets where you can shop for cheeses, plump red tomatoes, bunches of lavender, and fresh-cut flowers. There’s also the market in L’Isle sur la Sorgue, which sells antiques along the village’s winding canals. Cycling enthusiasts know that the Luberon is a legendary biking destination. You can rent a bike from the property’s world-class bike center and take off, armed with a chef-made lunch for you to enjoy at the most perfect picnic locale you find.
Naturally, the culinary experience is a major focal point of the property (this is Provence, after all). If the fresh air beckons, dine at Jardin dans les Vignes, set on a sunny terrace beneath a leafy pergola. The menu features seasonal Provençal cuisine made with vegetables and herbs grown in the property’s garden and meats from local farms. In the summer, the chef serves dishes made on a wood-fired grill. Come dinnertime, this is a particularly stunning spot for a sunset.
There’s more dining to explore: Avelan helmed by Chef Thierry Enderlin showcases the region’s flavors with a farm-to-table concept delivering a gourmet trip around the world alongside an excellent wine list, including wines grown in the property’s own vineyard. Dessert comes courtesy of award-winning local Pastry Chef Aurélien Trousse. Finally, there’s Cipressa, a family-friendly Italian restaurant with interiors celebrating Italy’s famed Amalfi Coast that serves antipasti, wood-fired pizzas, and homemade pasta. Unwind at Bar Lalique named after the famous French Crystal maker. Enjoy classic and experimental cocktails, afternoon tea, cheese, pastries and sushi.
Sustainability has been a core value at Coquillade Provence since the opening. In addition to growing produce on property, they use green electricity, geothermal heating and cooling in all buildings and sustainable agricultural practices in the vineyard. Coquillade was awarded the European Ecolabel in July 2012. It’s just another thing about Coquillade you can feel good about.
Coquillade Provence is 30 miles east of Avignon, a three-hour TGV ride from Paris, a 2.5-hour drive from Nice International Airport or just over a hour-drive from Marseille-Provence Airport. For those flying privately, arrive at Avignon Airport for a 30-minute drive.
Contact
Coquillade Provence-Relais & Chateaux
Le Perrotet
84400 Gargas
France
Telephone: +33 4 90 74 71 71
Email: info@coquillade.fr
Website: https://coquillade.fr
