As you peak through the aeroplane windows on your decent into Nimes Airport, you can almost smell the fresh lavender and feel the oozing sun rays. Nimes airport is a tiny airfield flittered with just a few private jets and fighter planes, nestled between planes of lush grass and forests. Forget queues and barging through passport control, stroll through the gates and hop into your taxi. It is a civilised affair.
The drive from Nimes airport is an hour long glide, meandering through vast landscapes and rolling hills, dotted with road side fruit stalls and quaint villages. It is only when you arrive at the base of the 6,000-foot-high Mont Ventoux that you spot the unique luxury of The Hotel Crillon Le Brave.
Perched on top of the Mont Venoux is the village of Crillion Le Brave. A strawberry blonde hamlet of cottages, townhouses, courtyards brasseries and within it: the Hotel Crillion Le Brave. As you pull up outside the lavender-concealed reception house, you can see why this petite town has become the star of the area. This is not about over empowering palatial reception halls and grand entrance drives; the appeal is in the opposite. Hop out of your car and the English spoken valet takes your bags and whisks you to a cosy bench in the reception lounge. And by lounge, we mean it – fireplace, bookshelves and candles. It embodies what feeling welcome should be like.
The hotel is made up of over 12 different buildings within the town and is linked together by cobbled alley ways, hidden tunnels, ancient stairwells and al fresco courtyards. We arrive at our room; a handsome suite encased in a century old stone house and jewelled with creeping ivy. The room is grand yet homely, furnished for comfort rather than for trend. Chaise-longues, working fireplaces, whitewashed cabinets and stone walls are accessorised with rustic lamps, flowing curtains and chic rugs. The bathrooms feature a stand-alone bath tub fit for two and two adjacent rainfall showers, perfect for those of us who are inseparable or time short!
We arrived in time for lunch which is served in the hotel’s Bar La Grange, a gorgeous terrace that overlooks a tapestry of rolling hills, olive groves and emerald woodland. Lunch can be light and wholesome or decadent and delicious, each dish being far from ordinary yet safe from any of those fruitless, fluffy, French froths and fancies. King prawn Caesar salad teamed with home baked sourdough hits the spot.
Morning drifts easily into afternoon and as we stroll through cobbled streets and wind between town houses, we find our way to the village’s former stables which houses the Bamford-infused Spa des Ecuries. Walk in through the oval bolthole doors and descend into a soothing, aromatic paradise. My partner and I are being treated to a couple’s treatment in their limestone vaulted room which is lit purely by candlelight and lulled with the smells of basil and rosemary essential oils. The signature Bamford treatment features two hours of unadulterated bliss, starting with a full body massage and facial to follow.
That evening we dine at their world renowned restaurant Jerome Blanchet, named after their prestigious head chef who has secured Michelin stars for some of France’s legendary restaurants. The restaurant its self is rustic grandiose, with red velvet, roaring fireplaces and stone built mezzanines. My partner opts for their five course Lobster set menu whilst I deliberate over a la carte extravagances. Every dish is exquisitely flavoured, cooked and presented and the sommelier intensifies this with expert wines for every course. Highlights included a courgette flower stuffed with lobster and a gluten-free socca (chickpea flour) flatbread decorated with in season baby vegetables, edible flowers and assorted tapenades and coulis.
The piece de resistance comes last, and not only do we see it coming, we smell it coming. A meter-long cheeseboard covered in multi-coloured and multi-shaped fromages is brought out for us to pick and choose from. We learn about the history and source of each of the distinctive mounds, and informed that they are brought to the area daily by their own cheese supplier, a Madame Vidgi. So when we are told she has a secret cheese that she blends herself from goats on the neighbouring mountain, we can’t resist the temptation. This is the stuff that chest hair is made off!
For something more casual, but just as delightful there is the hotel’s 40K restaurant, serving up dishes formed from ingredients that originate within a 40 kilometre radius of the village. We dine here on the second night and are just as impressed and satisfied as our first dinner. The food is more provincial with features such as pork pate, coq au vin and roasted poussin.
And talking of food, we mustn’t overlook the breakfast – a local platter of delicious homemade cereals, fresh fruit juices, saucisson and bacon, patisseries, tantalising warm breads and eggs from the local farm. This is real food with no labelled boxes, processed ingredients or supermarket bought products – everything is made locally and here in Provence.
If you are an active relaxer the activities list is endless. We hop on two of the hotel bikes and adventure down the mountain to some of the local towns, rumbling through vineyards and hamlets bustling with Sunday markets. Each of the local towns are flickered with fresh soap shops and nougat stalls. Getting back up the hill isn’t for the faint-hearted, and those bags of nougat come in hand! Other couples we meet during the trip gush about their horse riding adventures and wine tasting escapades – something we must come back for!
The hotel pool is a elegant turquoise haven, warmed to 29C so it makes for the perfect afternoon dip. Spread around through hidden walk ways, planted walls and arches are relaxation areas, sun beds and pétanque sandpits. Cosy abodes can be found for evening drinks, peaceful reading or a traditional game of pétanque and pastis.
The service at The Crillon Le Brave is seamlessly exceptional – any activity you need is catered for, any adjustments willingly made and special touches that made the difference. Coming back to your room, full with happiness and French deliciousness, to a turned down bed, roaring fire, homemade chocolates and slippers by your side makes the difference between good and outstanding.
We would recommend The Crillon Le Brave Hotel to anyone who is looking for a long foodie weekend, a relaxing and decadent escape or a family fun activity filled weekend – the hotel can accommodate any need, small or little.
Rooms start from €320. during peak season. For more information and booking visit www.crillonlebrave.com or email [email protected]