La Bastide de Gordes
Made famous by Peter Mayles in his 1989 memoir A Year in Provence, and later by Ridley Scott in his 2006 film A Good Year, Gordes is the quintessential Provençal town: a tumble of goldenand
ivoryhued medieval walls and buildings and cobblestonedstreets climbing a cypressspiked headland, looking out over a pristine valley with hills and open sky beyond. And, here, in the heart of the Lubéron mountains,Bastide de Gordes is the quintessential Provençal hotel, built into and around the ramparted and turreted centuriesold fortifications that once guarded this picturesque village from intruders.
Now under new ownership, and newly remastered after a yearlong,
$35plus million renovation, the hotel, a member of Leading Hotels of the World, reopened on June 24, revealing 22 rooms and 18 suites—as well as a standalone fivebedroom villa, two restaurants, three pools, and a threelevel spa. It’s all designed in classically romantic, Gallic countryhouse style by Frenchman Christophe
Tollemer. Inside, you’ll find pasteland jeweltoned interiors with carved wood paneling, handpainted beamed ceilings, vibrant florals, and pale toiles. On the walls: more than 4,000 artworks expressly acquired for the redo, including painted portraits and landscapes, colorful botanicals, and blackandwhite etchings.
As for the cuisine, star chef Pierre Gagnaire—whose 11 restaurants in eight countries have earned a total of 13 Michelin stars—heads up an eponymous restaurant specializing in his highly contemporary French cuisine. Meanwhile, the 8,600squarefoot spa comes courtesy ofSisley, making it one of only a handful of hotel spas in France to partner with the beloved Parisbased beauty brand.
All of which makes a year in Provence—or, really, just a long weekend—sound pretty darn bon right about now.
La Bastide de Gordes is a member of exclusive Virtuoso travel network. Book online or contact our Virtuoso Travel Advisor [email protected] for more details.
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