The France Guide: The Perfect Getaway at Crillon-le-Brave
There are so many beautiful and charming towns to visit in Provence, it’s hard to choose which ones to visit during a trip down to the South of France. If you’re planning a trip, I’d highly recommend Crillon-le-Brave, situated about 40 minutes north of Avignon.
Crillon-le-Brave feels like it’s straight out of a movie – a tranquil hideaway on the hilltops, the 17th century village is perched at the foothills of Mont Ventoux. It’s a quiet place that is perfect for a relaxing getaway. It feels like a well-kept secret.
WHERE TO STAY
Hotel Crillon-le-Brave
Hotel Crillon-le-Brave encompasses most of the 17th century village and is comprised of several houses intertwined through stone streets. All of the buildings encircle the main area of the hotel, which houses the two restaurants and pool overlooking the village. The property maintains its old world charm while incorporating classic modern touches. Lounge by the pool, play an afternoon game of pétanque on the hotel’s pétanque court hidden behind the stone walls near the pool, grab an aperitif on the terrace bar overlooking Mont Ventoux, and then dine on property for a perfect day.
La Table du Ventoux is the more casual of the two restaurants, up on the terrace overlooking the pool and with views of Mont Ventoux in the distance. This is where the breakfast spread is served every morning and as a second option for dinner on property. (If the lavender infused soufflé is on the menu, it’s a must-order.) La Madeleine is tucked away near the main entrance, on an intimate terrace surrounded by ivy accented houses of the hotel. Here you can experience fine dining in Crillon-le-Brave with a Michelin recommended tasting menu. It’s the perfect place for a romantic dinner. (Tip: in the summers, make a reservation at 8:00PM or 8:30PM to catch the sunset halfway through dinner.)
The rooms are comfortably sized as are the bathrooms. The accommodations in the Ventoux rooms have views of Mont Ventoux and if it’s your first time in the area, I’d highly suggest booking on of these rooms. Traditional tile adorn the floors of the rooms and the décor is contemporary classic.
The concierge offers very friendly help to make your trip unforgettable – everything from curated picnics in a location of your choosing to renting a vintage car to explore the lavender fields, wine tastings at local vineyards, reservations at local restaurants, and arranging guided tours.
It’s one of those properties that is truly very special and makes you want to come back. The quieter area and overall ambiance of the property makes for a true escape.
WHAT TO DO
VISIT THE LAVENDER FIELDS
If you are visiting during the summer (particularly in June and early July), the lavender fields are a must-see. What are the best lavender fields to visit in Provence?
There are plenty within a 40 minute drive from Hotel Crillon-le-Brave. Keep in mind many of the lavender fields in the Valensole plateau will be harvested in mid-July while those in lower Luberon will be harvest in late July so plan accordingly. The best time to see the lavender fields would be end of June to beginning of July. The concierge at Hotel Crillon-le-Brave can organize a wonderful tour of the lavender fields for you, either guided or not guided. If you prefer to do it on your own, they can also suggest fields that best fit your itinerary.
Generally, head up to the Valensole Plateau and visit the town of Valensole. As you drive here, you’ll be sure to catch plenty of lavender fields. One that is hard to miss is right off the Route de Manosque. (Note: there are no designated names and signs for each field, you can spot fields that catch your eye and pull over to see the lavender and take pictures.) Terraroma has wider lanes between the lavender and is quite extensive. Lavandes Angelvin is a more famous field with endless rows of lavender.
While the lavender fields in the Valensole Plateau are more expansive, there are more concentrated lavender fields around Sault. There is one at the base of the small village of Aurel. Here, it’s also possible to walk around the lavender paths to discover the different fields. The Luberon also has lavender fields to explore. Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque is a well-known destination near Gordes. It is a monastery so you cannot enter the main area where the lavender grows but it’s worth a visit to take in the scenery. You can also head towards Chateau de Bois but note that you will need to organize a private tour for this visit.
VISIT THE MARKETS IN NEIGHBORING TOWNS
The markets in Provence are one of my favorite things. You can spend hours browsing produce, locally made soaps, lavender products, antique goods, and all the wicker baskets your heart desires. Buy a wicker basket (perfect for the pool and for the market) and fill it up with goodies as you shop. You can even skip a lunch reservation and opt instead to buy food at multiple market stands to get a local taste of Provence. You can get fresh fruits, bread, every type of saucisson you could imagine, truffle spreads, and even freshly made dishes such as paella or onion tarts.
Aside from food, the markets are a great place to buy lavender products. There are lavender essential oils, soaps, lotions – you name it. Some markets have stands selling antique goods from paintings, books, silverware, porcelain, and jewelry. Be on the lookout, I came across a set of antique Hermes silverware for a very good price. Half of the fun is searching for these hidden treasures.
EXPLORE PICTURESQUE TOWNS SCATTERED THROUGH PROVENCE
There are too many charming towns scattered through the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region to be able to visit them all in one go. A few villages closer to Crillon-le-Brave are Gordes, L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, and Saignon.
Gordes is famous for its views, perched up in the heart of the Vaucluse mountains. The town has old world charm and is full of ancient details to discover as you wander the cobblestone streets. In the heart of town is the beautiful Airelles hotel property – take advantage of the space by booking lunch at their restaurant, L’Orangerie and take in the views. The markets in Gordes take place every Tuesday, which is a perfect time to browse the markets and then get lost in all of the history that the town has to offer.
L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is nicknamed “the Venice of Provence” for the river that runs through town. If you happen to be visiting on a Sunday, there is a morning market not to be missed. And starting on the first Sunday of August, there is a floating market. The village is also an antique-lover’s heaven with a number of antique shops and a well-known antiques market.
Saignon is a tiny town that takes you back in time. Walk towards the main square and grab a coffee or drink outside by the fountain. It doesn’t take much time to walk through the entire town so savor it. Continue wandering through the town and if you happen to be here around dinner time, grab a table on the terrace of Un Jardin Sur Les Toit.
WINE TASTING
Let’s start by noting that unlike in the United States, wine tastings tend to be free of charge in France. There’s no need for a reservation if you are stopping by for a tasting – you will only need a reservation if you’d like to schedule a tour. The concierge at Hotel Crillon-le-Brave is also amazing at helping you curate vineyard visits to your liking.
You can’t visit Provence without a visit to Chateauneuf-du-Pape, especially if you’re staying at Crillon-le-Brave which is under a 40 minute drive away. The red wines from this region are highly regarded in the wine community. Château La Nerthe is one of the older wineries in the region. Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe is located on “Le Crau”, an elevated plateau with many of the top wines in the Chateauneuf-du-Pape region.
And of course, the Provence region is well known for its production of rosé, perfectly crisp and dry. Château d’Esclans is home to Whispering Angel. Though a bit of a drive from Crillon-le-Brave, the property is beautiful and who doesn’t love Whispering Angel? Château La Coste, about 15 minutes from Aix-en-Provence, not only produces great organic wines but they merge the world of wine and art on their property. Domaine de Fontenille is another great stop if you are near Château La Coste, about 25 minutes away, with its beautiful grounds. Book a tour here and enjoy an intimate tasting in their cellar.