It’s hard not to go to France and romanticise your life, even just a little. Especially when you’re roaming through two of the best boutique hotels in the South of France, everywhere you turn there’s another postcard waiting to happen: perfectly curated florals swaying lazily in the breeze, ivy climbing centuries-old façades, and sunsets that give golden hour a new meaning. The region seems designed for unhurried afternoons with a cold glass of rosé in hand (spoiler: there were many) and effortless linen dresses. Tucked into this dreamy backdrop, I spent time at Crillon le Brave in Provence and Lou Pinet in Saint-Tropez, which together gave me the French-girl stay of my absolute dreams.
We started our trip with a premier-class experience on the Eurostar from London to Paris. Although the day started early, we began our trip in the Premier Lounge at St. Pancras with complimentary lattes, pastries, and plenty of space to lounge. It was brilliant to be able to access the lounge two hours before our train departed, which meant we could relax comfortably, knowing that everything was set for our departure. The Premier experience with Eurostar made train travel a breeze; with priority boarding lanes and generous allowances for our luggage, we were able to settle into our journey to Paris with ease. Shortly after departure, the lovely staff served a light breakfast with fresh ingredients, an incredible way to kick things off.
Hôtel Crillon le Brave: picturesque Provence
After spending the night in Paris (more on our experience at Le Grand Mazarin here), we set off for Hôtel Crillon le Brave in Provence. The trip was an easy train journey from Gare de Lyon, and by this point, I was really enjoying not having to set foot in an airport. After about three hours, we arrived in Avignon for our transfer to Crillon le Brave. Staff from the hotel were waiting for our arrival, and less than an hour later, we were pulling up to the picturesque scenery of the town and the hotel.
Hôtel Crillon le Brave is so picturesque that even calling it that feels like an understatement. The hotel is literally built into the town, made up of a dozen old homes from the 17th and 18th centuries surrounding the church in the town square. Buildings of sun-soaked stone covered in luscious Virginia creeper wrap around you like a hug, filling you with a sense of calm unlike anything I have experienced before.
Walking into the lobby, you immediately feel lighter. The modern Provençal décor, reimagined in 2017 by Charles Zana, is rich with terracotta tiles, sun-drenched linens, and tasteful antiques that look as though they have witnessed a romance or two. It’s very Nancy Meyers, if she had a home in the South of France. As you pass through the main reception to the terrace, Mont Ventoux stands watch over the vineyards and olive groves, cicadas singing backup. It’s rustic, it’s romantic, and it smells faintly of lavender and sun-warmed stone.
Exploring the property during our stay was nothing short of enchanting. From waking to the sound of wind rustling the ivy in the softest cotton sheets to watching the sunset over Mont Ventoux each evening, our days were spent roaming through the postcard-perfect region of Provence.
We began with the most relaxing spa experience of my life, the perfect way to settle in and decompress after a few days of travelling. As an avid massage girlie, I was thrilled to try the Spa des Écuries, complete with luxurious Tata Harper products. The spa is intimate, nestled in the vaulted cellars of the former 18th-century stables, the perfect place to reconnect with yourself, body and mind. From full-body treatments to facials, there is something for everyone. I opted for the custom massage, and my masseuse had me asleep on the table within minutes. The treatment room immediately induces calm, filled with the scent of Provençal lavender. Slipping onto the table feels more like sinking into a bed. I left sixty minutes later, floating on a cloud.
From the spa to the private pool for hotel guests only, I had to pinch myself to believe it was real. It was the perfect retreat after that glorious massage. Spending the afternoon on one of the sun loungers made me feel utterly spoiled. The pool was the perfect temperature for a dip or a few lazy laps, and the view of Mont Ventoux from my lounger kept stealing my attention from my book. With poolside service and endless plush towels, there was no reason to ever leave.
Dining at the hotel’s restaurant, La Table du Ventoux, was the biggest treat of all. The culinary experience was unmatched, with every meal surpassing the last. The creativity and care in every dish reflected Chef Thomas Lesage’s passion for nature and his desire to celebrate local ingredients. Each meal was fresh, bursting with flavour, and left us speechless as we tucked in for another bite.
While the hotel itself feels like a perfect oasis, the nearby towns are worth exploring if you’re craving a change of scenery. We wandered the cobblestone streets of the Malaucène market, admiring fresh cheeses, produce, jewellery and colourful trinkets.
The region’s wineries are also a must for an afternoon of indulgence. We visited Chêne Bleu for a picnic and wine tasting. The estate dates back to the 11th century and is tucked away in a UNESCO-protected nature reserve. After a tour and tasting, we settled into the vineyard for a picnic packed in picturesque rattan baskets with red-checked tablecloths. The hotel’s attention to detail was flawless, with a spread of fresh sandwiches, desserts, and of course, more rosé.
Returning to the hotel to spend the afternoon by the pool, rosé in hand, and ending the evening with dinner at La Table du Ventoux as the sun set over Mont Ventoux was the perfect finale to our time at Crillon le Brave.
Saying goodbye to this picturesque escape was bittersweet. Beyond the stunning scenery and charming accommodations, the staff’s warmth and attentiveness made our stay truly unforgettable.
Hôtel Lou Pinet: a Riviera oasis
From there, we returned to Avignon station to begin the next leg of our journey to Saint-Tropez. After an easy two-hour train ride to Saint-Raphaël Valescure, we took a car along the coast for about an hour to reach the gorgeous Hôtel Lou Pinet. The coastal drive offered stunning Mediterranean views at every turn. We were lucky with little traffic, though it’s worth noting that this route can take much longer during peak season. After winding through streets lined with designer boutiques and charming cafés, we turned off the main road and climbed into the hills, where Lou Pinet awaited.
Hidden beneath umbrella pines and cypress trees, Lou Pinet is a serene respite from the city’s buzz yet only five minutes from the heart of Saint-Tropez. Pulling in, you’re immediately transported to another era. Terracotta tiles and warm colours wrap around you like a chic embrace, with art curated by legends such as Matisse, Calder, and Picasso, devotees of the South of France themselves. At the centre of the property, a large pool glimmers like a jewel, surrounded by red-and-white umbrellas and inviting loungers. It’s Riviera chic in a whisper, not a shout.
Lou Pinet’s thirty-four rooms, also designed by Charles Zana, are a masterclass in playful sophistication. Terracotta, ceramics, and rattan come together to create the ultimate cool-girl holiday home. It’s casual but elevated, cozy yet curated with vibrant art from local artisans. Warm textures and breezy light make it the ideal Saint-Tropez retreat.
Waking up to cicadas and birdsong, opening French doors to a garden-level terrace among olive trees, it was pure magic. My mornings began with breakfast on the patio, the scent of flowers wafting through the garden and sunlight glinting off the pool. It was hard to believe that the lively streets of Saint-Tropez were only minutes away (via the cutest little buggies, no less).
When the Riviera sun demanded a break, Lou Pinet’s Tata Harper Spa delivered. Light and airy, surrounded by pines, with a hammam and serene pool, it felt like the perfect balance of energy and calm. If Crillon le Brave is a relaxing retreat, Lou Pinet is about emerging, glowing, and ready for another night under Saint-Tropez’s stars.
Days were spent with a glass of rosé piscine in hand (rosé over ice by the pool, the only way the French allow it), and evenings dining at Beefbar, where perfectly grilled meats take centre stage in a lively atmosphere. The restaurant balances sophistication with fun, offering grilled selections and playful dishes like the addictive rock corn – tempura corn with spicy mayo – that we couldn’t stop ordering. The menu truly has something for everyone, and you’ll likely leave already planning your next visit.
Two Hotels, one perfect holiday
Together, Crillon le Brave and Lou Pinet created the most incredible contrast. Crillon is slow mornings with lavender-scented breezes and long lunches that linger into dusk. Lou Pinet is sunshine that clings to your skin, late nights, and that unmistakable Riviera hum. One is a love letter, the other a chic postcard, both stitched with the same chic thread of French-girl magic.
The beauty of doing both? You don’t have to choose. Spend one week wrapped in the calm of Provence, sipping rosé with cicadas for company, and the next chasing Saint-Tropez’s shimmer, dipping your toes in the pool after dinner. Together, they’re not just hotels; they’re the full spectrum of French allure, bottled up and handed to you with a cheeky wink.
There’s a reason French holidays inspire novels, films and love songs – they make you believe leisure is an art form. Crillon le Brave and Lou Pinet didn’t just give me a place to sleep; they gave me the feeling of becoming part of that art. One whispered, one laughed, both captured my heart. As I packed my linen dresses and half-finished bottles of rosé into my suitcase, I couldn’t help but think: sometimes the dream isn’t choosing between two loves, it’s letting both sweep you off your feet.
Because really, isn’t that the most French thing of all?
