Le Mas des Herbes Blanches,
under the song of the cicadas

Tucked away deep in Provence, far from the hustle-bustle of the big cities, is Le Mas des Herbes Blanches, surrounded by olive trees and cypresses, offering a magnificent view of the Luberon Valley and steeped in Mediterranean atmosphere. An oasis of peace disturbed only by the song of the cicadas.

Le Mas des Herbes Blanches, |under the song of the cicadas

Tucked away deep in Provence, far from the hustle-bustle of the big cities, is Le Mas des Herbes Blanches, surrounded by olive trees and cypresses, offering a magnificent view of the Luberon Valley and steeped in Mediterranean atmosphere. An oasis of peace disturbed only by the song of the cicadas.

When I visited Provence for the first time, I fell head over heels for the incredible scenery, the quaint, picturesque villages, the colors, the scent of lavender wafting through the fields on the wind, the local wines and fresh delicacies to be found in the markets. I am back for a weekend, at Mas des Herbes Blanches, a boutique hotel nestled on a hill with panoramic vistas of the Luberon valley.

Le Mas des Herbes Blanches is a beautiful, but unassuming hotel, built in the style of a traditional stone farmhouse, meaning it’s more like a large family house than a luxury hotel. Complete with outdoor and indoor pools, a spa, a restaurant, and a cozy bar, it’s all you could need to feel at home during a short break in Provence.
 

One of the first things that struck me about the hotel, besides its being perfectly situated to admire the colors of the Luberon landscape, was just how peaceful it was. All I could hear as I stepped out from our room were the crickets, chirping birds, and the gentle rustle of leaves that sent scents of honeysuckle up to our terrace. There’s nothing like a stay in the countryside and, better yet, one in the South of France to force you to slow down for a couple of days.
 
And slow down we did. That evening, we took our time dining in the restaurant after watching the setting sun turn the sky shades of pink and purple, with a glass of champagne in hand. I merrily worked my way through five delicious courses and wine-pairings, but I do vividly remember the magret de canard, which was one of the best that I have ever tasted.
We spent the rest of the weekend languidly lounging around the pool, reading and sunning ourselves before a quick drive into Gordes for dinner. It was the perfect escape from Paris and one I hope to make every year.
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