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Provence
[Aug 2007] L’Oustau de Baumanière voted among the best hotels in France by the readers of Travel + Leisure!
Travel + Leisure has just unveiled its annual list of the most beautiful properties in the world, selected by its readers. As every year, Relais & Châteaux dominated this prestigious selection with no fewer than 27 properties making the list.
[Feb 2007] The Hôtel du Castellet joins Relais & Châteaux
Ideally situated between Marseille and the French Riviera, the Hôtel du Castellet enhances Relais & Châteaux’s already prestigious choice of hotels thanks to two major assets : a private airport and a former Grand Prix racing circuit !
[Feb 2007] Ten Chefs, Ten Wines : A theme day at the Abbaye de Sainte-Croix
On 19th March the Abbaye de Sainte-Croix, which is situated in the hills above Salon de Provence, is organising a special theme day; the aim is to gather together chefs, winegrowers and wine waiters in the same spirit as Relais & Châteaux fine dining and oenological theme stays.
[Feb 2007] Candied Fruit - A truly Provencal speciality
From Apt to Carpentras, candied fruit fruit and confectionery are at the heart of the region’s traditions. A local speciality, which probably evolved from the need to preserve the region’s abundant fruit harvests, candied fruit are made using techniques developed from earlier practices whereby the juice of the fruit is gradually replaced by sugar. Today, you can buy both the hand-made and the manufactured product.
[Feb 2007] Salon de Provence - a new look for the town centre!
Salon de Provence, the home of Nostradamus, gave its town centre a facelift last winter. With its contemporary urban architecture, it is now ready to welcome tourists once again.
[Nov 2006] An autumn in Provence...
Just like the summer, the autumn is a hive of activity in Provence’s R&C establishments. Cookery courses, theme weekends, festivals, tournaments... Special moments that emphasise the dynamism of these hotels and invite you to extend your stay.
[Nov 2006] Champagne !
A worldwide partner to the Relais et Châteaux Group, Laurent Perrier Champagnes is organising four “Cuvée Grand Siècle” parties this autumn in the region’s hotels-restaurants. Magnum-size events !
[Nov 2006] Ingres elevates Antiquity in Arles
Just as Cézanne Year comes to an end, a new event arrives to steal the headlines. Until 2 January, the “Musée de l’Arles et de la Provence Antiques” (Arles and Provence Museum of Antiquity) is presenting paintings by Ingres, along with 500 objects from Antiquity. A unique link between his work and this artistic period.
[Nov 2006] Pagnol, a story of Marseille
The famous Provençal writer spent long childhood holidays in La Treille, a village in Marseille. This haven of peace, which was a source of inspiration for his novels , has retained the soul that captivated the author.
[July 2006] It’s summer: a time for festive eating!
With the arrival of summer, meals become lighter and less conventional. Relais & Châteaux de Provence adapt to their guests and to local events, offering “déjeuners sur l’herbe”, “Festival” menus, “under the plane trees” menus and jazz lunche.
[July 2006] Lavender, the blue horizon
Lavender forms part of an idealised view of Provence and is at the heart of many a fantasy, its purple rows exploding into their final incandescent flowering in July. An icon used to the full by Relais & Châteaux de Provence hotels.
[July 2006] Where wicker is king
Vallabrègues has a long-standing reputation for its wickerwork. On the banks of the Rhone near Tarascon, the village cultivates the art of transforming the osier harvested on the river islands. Memory and traditions are carried on by the museum, the basket maker, the chair manufacturers and the Wickerwork Festival in August.
[Mar 2006] Saint-Valentine’s Day, love in Provence
Provence doesn’t have a monopoly on Saint Valentine’s Day. Here, as everywhere, it is celebrated with lots of gifts, tenderness and affection. An ideal opportunity to take your loved one to a restaurant, and Provence offers the ideal venue: Roquemaure, in the Gard, where the town offers a special tribute to lovers.
[Mar 2006] Ecclesiastical art at its height
Deep in Provence hide two very special factories unknown to most of the general public: the candle factory at Graveson and the convent-workshop in Simiane-Collongue, Bouches-du-Rhône, where clergy vestments are made. Both perpetuate ancient traditions and are far removed from the pagan hustle and bustle of mass tourism.
[Mar 2006] Truffles, the black gold of Provence
Every winter, the truffle inflames passions. A capricious tuber with a bewitching flavour, its rarity gives it a considerable aura. It is traded on the markets in Provence, but only when it is served at table does it show its true value. The magic created by great chefs who have known this subtle fragrance since childhood is in fact priceless...
[April 2006] A swing in Provence
The good weather has arrived and, with it, the need to take out the putter. Provence, the land of golf, opens up its varied golf courses to golf lovers. Certain Relais & Châteaux also have exclusive offers. Why not take advantage?
[April 2006] Wonderful terraces
Sunny terraces represent the South in the same way that verandas represent the North. Conscious of their attraction, the Relais & Châteaux de Provence try to outdo each other for decoration, offering their clients a simply magical environment.
[April 2006] Van Gogh, a frantic, prolific artist
Van Gogh’s passion for Provençal light was, like Cézanne’s, all-consuming. His almost ‘carnal’ passion led him to paint with a frenzy at Arles and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, in an attempt to cure his tormented soul.
[April 2006] A very strange wall...
Dry stone walls are a speciality of the South. They may be found in ‘garrigue’ countryside and are used to separate plots of land or form enclosures for sheep. There is one in the Luberon, though, that is an exception to the rule. Here’s why....
[Mar 2006] Paul Cézanne, Provence in his heart
The painter Paul Cézanne died a hundred years ago. The anniversary is an opportunity for Aix-en-Provence, his beloved city and muse, to pay a major tribute to the master. The centrepiece of the festivities is the “Cézanne in Provence” exhibition at the Musée Granet.
[Oct 2005] Apprentice “master chef”
From November to April, the Abbaye de Sainte Croix, in Salon de Provence, organises cookery lessons. Over a half-day or a short stay, chef Pascal Morel helps delighted guests learn the subtleties of gourmet food.
[Oct 2005] A festival of wine in the Luberon
Mas des Herbes Blanches, near Gordes, excels in the art of presenting its wines. Its “Bacchus symphonies” are a delight to customers, while, every year in December, the hotel welcomes the cream of France’s sommeliers.
[Oct 2005] “Santons”, from tradition to sculpture
They are the symbol of Christmas in Provence. While these little clay figurines have retained their religious dimension, they have also moved away from it to impose themselves as original works much sought after by collectors.
[Oct 2005] Olives, the virtuous fruit of the Mediterranean
Autumn and winter are the time of the olive. Harvested from Nyons to Nice, this ancient fruit and its throat-rasping oil have never ceased to astonish dieticians and nutritionists. And what if our health required immoderate consumption?
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