For more information and to book please visit www.mrandmrssmith.com or let us arrange your whole trip, by calling +44 (0)20 8987 4312 or from the USA dial 1 866 610 3867.
The wild dunes and marshes of the Med coast are the domain of cowboys, white horses and neon-pink flamingos. Inland, Arles, and its laidback neighbour Nîmes in Languedoc-Rousillon, are a beguiling blend of Roman amphitheatres, Provençal cuisine, café culture and sun-dappled boulevards. From the dramatic clifftop village of Les Baux, set among the olive groves, vines and craggy uplands of the Alpilles, you can look out across a land of Van Gogh, sunflowers and starry, starry nights.
The Camargue is a coastal wilderness of marshes, dunes and flamingo-specked salt flats, with whitewashed houses and gypsy villages. gardians (cowboys) watch over the region’s famous herds of black bulls and white horses.
Our round-up of the hippest hideaways and romantic boutique hotels in Provence
This chic L'Hôtel Particulier in the ancient city of Arles has crisp-linened beds and Provençal furniture in its huge whitewashed boudoirs.
This stylish château hotel near Orange effortlessly blends 18th-century chaise longues, antique mirrors and Murano chandeliers with contemporary chic, and has recently been tastefully refurbished.
Don’t be fooled by the weathered stone exteriorof this boutique hotel in Provence, Domaine des Andeóls is as hip-to-the-minute as they come, with chic modern furnishings in each of its super-slick suites, and Michelin star-meriting Alain Ducasse cuisine.
The communal areas of the tranquil Jardins Secrets hotel in Nîmes are littered with books, photographs, musical paraphernalia and aviaries full of tiny singing birds.
Stylishly designed and peacefully situated, Hotel Crillon le Brave is a beautiful boutique hotel in Provence that looks out over the vine-covered plain of Vaucluse.
A beautiful boutique hotel set in beautiful countryside near Les Baux de Provence, L'Oustau de Baumanière is world-famous for its exquisite haute cuisine.
La Bastide de Moustiers is Alain Ducasse’s hillside hideaway, and along with its obligatory wow-factor restaurant, the hotel showcases local craftsmanship, from the sheets to the teacups.
La Maison sur la Sorgue in Provence is a worldly boutique hotel scattered with magpie-picked pieces from all over the place.
Honey-coloured Villa Gallici on the edge of Aix-en-Provence is a lavish and luxe boutique hotel with a decadently decorated interior.
Inspired by the lavender, roses and verbena growing in the grounds, Le Couvent des Minimes Hôtel & Spa is a paean to L’Occitane.
Le Mas de la Rose is a 17th-century cluster of converted farm buildings high on a hillside, surrounded by olive and pine trees and lavender.
Planes, trains, automobiles, or maybe even helicopter – we tell you the best way to go.
Tucked away on a narrow alley close to the town hall and a short stumble from the Roman amphitheatre, this diminutive 35-seater packs considerable punch in the haute cuisine arena. Book ahead to taste ‘surprise’ menus of 10 or 16 light courses, all created by the immensely talented chef Jean-Luc with sensational seasonal ingredients from the restaurant’s privately commandeered bio-dynamic kitchen farm.
7 rue des Carmes, 13200 Arles
Spoil yourself at this sweet courtyard restaurant in postcard-perfect Castillon. Traditional-with-a-twist French dishes created with seasonal, local produce: we loved the roast turbot with fennel and baked clams; and the rack of piglet with a balsamic reduction. The wine list and the cheese trolley are a downright dangerous combination, and you’ll probably want one of the puddings, too, so go for dinner, and go hungry.
Place du Vieux Village, 30210 Castillon du Gard
Deep in the Camargue, in a building that used to be a sheepfold, this restaurant is unmissable. Sit in the kitchen garden at lunchtime and enjoy their modern organic, bio-dynamic cuisine. The restaurant even supplies diners with straw hats on sunny days. Typical dishes include squid stuffed with fennel, grilled gilthead sea bream with mushroom fricassé, lamb tagine, and Camargais bull steaks. Reservations advisable. Closed in winter (www.chassagnette.fr).
Route du Sambuc, 13200 Arles, Provence
This restaurant next to the amphitheatre in Nîmes is a stylish option with a fine, seasonally adjusted menu based around local suppliers and ingredients.
Boulevard des Arènes, 2, 3000 Nîmes
Established over 20 years ago, Le Magister is an intimate, family-run restaurant with an extensive menu of Provençal specialities and fine wines of the Languedoc region.
rue Nationale 5, Nîmes
Run by a Belgian couple, Chez Bru, aka Le Bistrot d’Eygalières, is a Michelin-starred place of pilgrimage for gourmets. Their salt-marsh lamb is perfection.
rue de la République, Eygalières
Chez Bru’s baby sister bistro is very popular, with good reason – the food is excellent.
Avenue Jean Jaurès, Eygalières
In the heart of the historic town centre of Arles, this modern, contemporary restaurant offers world cuisine with a Mediterranean influence, a wide selection of wines and a good-value fixed-price lunchtime menu.
rue Porte de Laure, 13, Arles
©2009 Mr & Mrs Smith
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