A Postcard Come To Life: Crillon Le Brave – Hotel Review

From Parisian maximalism to bohemian glamour in St Tropez, family-run brand Maisons Pariente knows exactly how to create magical boutique hotels – and Crillon Le Brave, their Provençal bolthole, is something special, says Martha Davies.

Review: Crillon Le Brave, France

What does it mean for a place to be picture-perfect? Take one look at Crillon Le Brave and the phrase will come to mind. The hotel is effortlessly beautiful; make no mistake, when you get back home armed with photos, any unsuspecting viewers are likely to audibly gasp. But while every nook and cranny really could grace a postcard (or a particularly impressive Instagram post, if that’s more your speed), any compulsion to capture the best snapshot will somehow vanish – since it’s difficult not to spend every minute walking around with your jaw hanging open, simply marvelling.

Settled on the foothills of Mount Ventoux, in the tiny commune of Crillon, the hotel unfolds across nine stone buildings which started life as smallholdings dating back as far as the 17th century. (Fittingly, there are 17 bedrooms and 17 suites – and a self-contained family house – plus a gym, bar, restaurant and a heavenly spa.) Surprises peek out at every turn: narrow passageways suddenly reveal breathtaking viewpoints; staircases lead to secret doors; even the gym, remarkably, is housed within an ancient chapel.

Yet for all its slender walkways and narrow bends, its labyrinthine rooms and shaded corners, what’s really a feat is that nothing feels at all confined here; as soon as you walk in, the hotel lobby beckons you right through onto a terrace which offers frankly dizzying views of the Provençal landscape stretching out on every side. The pool occupies a similarly magnificent location, looking straight out over the hills, and in the bedrooms, there’s no shortage of space: expect enormous beds and sprawling bathrooms with rain showers and freestanding bathtubs. In fact, with their soaring ceilings and classic sash windows, they give the sense that you’re somehow still outside – sunlight melting on the stone floors, birds singing on the balconies. 

At the heart of the hotel is the restaurant, La Table du Ventoux, which occupies yet another handsome terrace overlooking the valley. If you don’t happen to visit Crillon’s local vineyards and markets – though there are plenty – you can count on a treasure trove of fresh produce and classic dishes served up here every day, from artichokes and white asparagus to traditional Pissaladière (a flatbread topped with anchovies and caramelised onions) and Panisse (a crispy snack made from chickpea flour). There’s plenty to indulge in – whether you tuck into the lavish breakfast buffet or dine on lamb, pork chops and seabream at sunset – but there’s nothing quite as spectacular as the fresh fruit and vegetables on offer (and the rosé, naturally). 

THE FINAL WORD

Nestled as it is in the hills of Provence, a short pilgrimage – a 45-minute drive from Nice airport (or a 50-minute car ride from Avignon train station, if you wanted to travel down from, say, Paris) – is required to deposit you at the honey-hued stone doors of Crillon Le Brave. But what could be more magical than this verdant, sunshine-suffused spot? Not much, as it turns out. 

BOOK IT

Nightly rates start from €370 on a B&B basis. crillonlebrave.com