Luxury stay at Villa Baulieu, Provence

Villa Baulieu, Provence

Villa Baulieu, Provence

Villa Baulieu, Provence

I’ve spent the most incredible couple of days at the stunning Villa Baulieu, located just a 10 minutes’ drive outside Aix-en-Provence and 45 minutes from Marseille Airport, in Provence.
An idyllic place that screams peaceful luxury, this property is not a hotel or a guesthouse. It’s a secluded private home with rooms to stay. Rental of the whole property can also be arranged. The property can’t be seen from the road; as you approach it via the long driveway, it reveals itself as the most beautiful castle taken from a period film or a fairy tale.

 

It’s a serene space that invites you to relax and enjoy its surroundings. There’s a lot to take in! A stroll in the luscious rose garden or the perfectly manicured historical gardens, dipping in the magnificent pool, biking through its 140 hectares of vineyard- the largest domain in the Coteaux d’Aix en Provence, and wine tasting are the order of the day.

The Gardens Villa Baulieu, Provence

Villa Baulieu, Provence entrance

Villa Baulieu, Provence vineyard
The vineyard

 

 

The decor is tasteful and executed with comfort in mind. Every detail has been calculated, from the antiques to the state-of-the-art pieces from the owners’ travels. The property took ten years to restore. It is every inch of grandeur you can think of in a relaxed atmosphere.  It is ideal for large groups on holiday, celebrations, or, in my view, the perfect romantic getaway or
honeymoon. It is a genuine Provencal stately home with Italian accents.

 

The Library

 

 

The rooms at Villa Baulieu

 

There are eleven guest rooms, each with magnificent views of the gardens. Every bedroom is assigned a historical name significant to Baulieu or the owner’s family and decorated with antiques and exquisite soft furnishings. All rooms come with the modern amenities including working air-conditioning and heating, free WiFi, a safe, good, powerful hairdryer, an iPhone dock, and, to my delight, a Nespresso machine. The bedrooms can be classified as ranging from very roomy to palatial. The majority are double rooms with two guest rooms that can be transformed into the twin chambers.

 

my room

 

Food and Wine

The only meal served daily is breakfast, and dinner can be arranged upon request only. Guests must explore the surrounding area for lunches and dinners. However, the
host and the butlers are on hand to help with suggestions and even drive if necessary.
The continental breakfast offering consists of local and homemade jams, cakes, tarts, croissants, bread, honey, and cheese. Freshly brewed coffee and teas are made to order.  If the whole
house is rented, meals can be arranged. The house butler, David, and his helper, Alexis, were incredibly helpful, and their attentive service was on point. They also provide cooking  lessons showcasing local ingredients.

These were little details that made me feel at home and so welcomed. David cooked for us; he’s a talented chef too. He cooked Provencal style dishes and also some creative dishes, in the most beautiful kitchen I’ve ever seen. I had a bit of kitchen envy!

breakfast

 

food & wine

 

To Do & See near Villa Baulieu

A stroll and shopping in Aix en Provence – approx. 10  minutes by car. There are other villages to be discovered in the area: Rognes, Lourmarin & Cadenet are the closest. Other villages of Luberon include Gordes & Cassis. There are a small number of golf courses nearby – a tee time can be organized by the house manager, as well as horse riding, wine tasting, wine safari and many occasional Festivals of Jazz/Classic music.

 

 

 

 

Swimming pool and relaxation: It has a stunning pool for swimming as well as a communal bathhouse for relaxation. Massages can be arranged either in the room or out in the vineyard.

 

 

 

Eat and market near Villa Baulieu

The nearest town, Aix-en-Provence, and surrounding areas have a few pleasant eateries within a 15 minute drive.  We went to the Thursday market in Aix-en-Provence. It’s divided into flowers, local food and specialties, and local artisanal textile and leather goods. The spring and summer months are ideal to visit the area when the lavender is in full bloom. September &
October are glorious times too!

 

Service

The hosts and house manager are very kind and beyond helpful. It feels like staying at a distant relative’s extravagant home – attentive and accessible, but never overbearing.

 

aperitif  time with Villa Baulieu wines

 

 

Getting  to Villa Baulieu, Provence

Nearest airport: 30 minutes from Marseille-Provence Airport; 2 hours to Nice Airport. A 3-hour drive from Paris and 30 minutes from the epicenter of the Luberon.

 

Contact | location | prices:

Rognes en Provence

Tel: +33 (0)4 42 60 39 40

Disclosure: I was a guest of Villa Baulieu, All opinions, eating and wine intake are all mine!

 

 

Share:

8 Comments

  1. Nikki
    June 4, 2016 / 9:21 pm

    Wow what a beautiful place and your room looks stunning!!

  2. Hannah Heartss
    June 5, 2016 / 12:16 pm

    wow – those photos of the place are incredible!

  3. ana de jesus
    June 5, 2016 / 6:27 pm

    Holy cow! Everything from the manicured gardens to the sumptuous French decor is so stunning.

  4. beautyqueenuk
    June 6, 2016 / 9:07 am

    I actually don't think I would want to leave there ever, how absolutely beautiful, the view, the grounds, the building x

  5. Oliver Long
    June 6, 2016 / 12:39 pm

    Everything looks so luxurious!! I bet you had an amazing time… I'm jealous!

    Oliver x

  6. June 6, 2016 / 8:28 pm

    Oh this place looks incredible – your photos are just stunning. We have just been to France for the first time. Kaz x

  7. LilysLittleLearners
    June 7, 2016 / 7:26 pm

    Oh wow Im jealous. Looks amazing and somewhere that I would love to visit 😀

  8. June 14, 2016 / 3:31 am

    I've never cycled through a vineyard before but I imagine it is such an experience! I'd love to do it! The villa looks and sounds stunning!!