Chateau de Berne: Sleep on a Wine Estate in Provence

Here you are not just staying at a chateau hotel, you are entering a small kingdom which nestles in over 1000 acres of forest and vineyards in the heart of Provence Vert. This privately owned domain was converted a few years ago into an exclusive hotel and spa offering an exceptional combination of style, comfort and serenity – a place to escape the busy modern world and discover your bien-être.

Wine-making and the pleasures of wine are the essence of Château de Berne – the domaine produces over one million bottles a year of AOC Côtes de Provence.  It’s a high quality award-winning product and people come here especially to visit the enormous caves and the impressive wine centre with dégustation areas,  lounges, salons and a tempting array of wine and other products produced by the estate such as olive oils and fig jams.

A short walk from the grand cave through the umbrella pines and cypress trees brings you to the charming ensemble of honey stone buildings that make up the hotel and spa. There are 25 rooms from regular doubles to a grand suite with double-aspect vineyard views, many with terraces. All rooms are super comfortable, fitted out in “chic country” earthy shades with terracotta floors. The bathrooms have quality white ceramics and classy Victorian-style fittings.

Downstairs the stylish bar area leads into the Orangerie restaurant which offers fine dining, with the more informal Brasserie and Bistrot La Bouscarelle available for more informal meals or simply when you have had your fill of gastronomic pleasure. Do ask to visit the potager – the most exquisitely designed secret kitchen garden I have ever seen, devoted to growing anything and everything chef Jérémy Czaplicki demands.

The 200 sq. m.Spa offers a range of therapies and treatments – how about an outdoor massage overlooking the vines?  For more physical activity there’s a large infinity pool set above the valley, games room, tennis courts, bike hire and numerous walking trails in the estate.

Château de Berne is located near Lorgues, ideally placed to meander around the charming hilltop villages of Provence Vert such as Cotignac, Aups, Tourtours, Salerne and Entrecasteaux.

They claim here to be dedicated to the art de vivre of Provence. It’s a much touted line in the world of French hotel marketing. But here the unique sense of privacy, comfort and tranquillity combined with great food and a historic wine provenance do seem to add up to something magical. A few days at the Château de Berne will surely help you appreciate that elusive “art de vivre”.

NOTE: The hotel will be closed from 1^st November 2014 to 1^st June 2015 for major extensions to the spa and the addition of new bedrooms .

Château de Berne, Chemin de Berne, 83510, Lorgues. Tel: +33 (0)494 60 48 88. A member of Relais and Châteaux, the hotel has Classic Rooms starting from 190 euros/night.