In short… A charming bastide turned boutique hotel and wellness destination in the Provençal countryside.
The surroundings… In the middle of a vast valley and looking out onto the medieval village of Les Petitons, La Bastide du Mourre is a countryside oasis in the Luberon. The property is completely surrounded by nature, and there seems to be nobody in sight for at least 50 miles. It’s incredibly quiet despite its convenient location—only about an hour’s drive from Arles.
The backstory… La Bastide du Mourre is an original 17th-century hamlet in the traditional Provençal style. It was taken over by Fontenille and redone into the 17-room hotel without sacrificing the original structure and design sense. It still feels like a familial countryside home, with a focus on wellness and modern comforts.
The vibe… The property feels traditionally French, and really leans into a charming countryside look with lots of rambling ivy, pastel green doors, and original elements of the hamlet’s architecture coming through. Inside, the design is chic and subdued, really letting the bones of the property shine. The entire property is mostly open plan, and guests are encouraged to wander through spaces as if it was their home, spending time outside and taking in the view. Out on the front lawn are tables for breakfast, lunch, drinks and dinner, adorned with the cutest pink-fringed umbrellas.
The rooms… My room, at the top of La Bastide, was incredibly charming. Being on the smaller side due to the building’s original construction, the rooms feel cozy but with lots of windows and no shortness of light. Small balconettes overlook the valley, completely surrounded by green—waking up to the sun rising over the hills was pretty magical. Like some of the other Fontenille properties, the rooms all have special touches of French antiques collected by the owners, which really ties in the space to the location. I felt so at home in this room, and despite only being there for one night, this room gave the vibe of a summer spent in Provence, possibly as an au pair for a chic French family, maybe with a French love interest—a French Call Me by Your Name fantasy if you will… I hope that paints a good picture! As with the other Fontenille properties, all of the in-room amenities are Suzanne Kauffman, which are such a treat!
The food & drink… We enjoyed a lovely aperitif on the outdoor patio overlooking the view into the woods, with some of the delicious Fontenille red wine. After watching the sun set we went inside for a delicious dinner, once again incorporating local and seasonal produce. Pictured above is a delicious poached egg dish—delicious and fresh, a rarity in France. All the menus are very wellness focused.
The wellness… One of the many shining qualities of La Bastide du Mourre. I started my morning with an invigorating yoga class in their beautiful yoga studio, which overlooks the valley. Light pours in from windows and the open doors of the balconette, so you almost feel completely outside. Later that afternoon I indulged in a massage, which took place in one of the hotel’s treatment cabins—very cool, Scandi-inspired spaces with glass fronts that overlook the forest at the back of the property. So embedded in nature, it was one of the most relaxing treatments I’ve ever had. Straight from my massage, I ventured to the outdoor soaking tub, which was deep and hot, a perfect contrast with the early autumn temperature. It was so quiet and so relaxing, I am dreaming about it right now as I type this! Additionally, the property has a beautiful outdoor pool that sits just below the main hamlet. After my soak, I went down for a dip—I had the pool all to myself, another benefit of visiting Provence in the shoulder season—and it was idyllic.
Be sure to… Take an exercise class during your stay. This isn’t your overcrowded, sweaty, competitive CorePower class, but rather something totally relaxing, beneficial and energizing. Something about being in such a bright and breezy room first thing in the morning, moving with the morning light, I could feel that it changed the outcome of my day. In general, be sure to take advantage of all of the wellness opportunities, because they felt unique, tailored, and genuinely relaxing.
Also, if you can drive through Arles on your way to La Bastide du Mourre, make sure to stop for a meal at Páou. With an exterior right out of a storybook and a contemporary French menu—and a comprehensive list of local wines and bottles from newer wineries—it felt incredibly young and fresh, and really made me want to explore Arles on a deeper level. We sat outside on the square and every patron seemed cool and very well dressed. When walking back to the car, we spotted lots of other interesting-looking restaurants, bars, boulangeries, etc. And I stopped for a matcha—surprisingly good—from Mazette! I’m sensing an imminent return to Arles in my future.
Parting words… La Bastide du Mourre is the perfect mix of French countryside indulgence meets Provençal wellness retreat. Between laid back, wine-filled evenings, and wellness focused days, there’s great emphasis on balance, and at the end of your stay you will feel incredibly at ease.
Date of stay… September 25-26, 2025
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