La Bastide de Moustiers, A Jewel of Refinement by Ducasse

A Haven of Serenity in the Heart of the Verdon

Nestled in the heart of the Verdon Regional Natural Park, La Bastide de Moustiers enjoys an exceptional location, at the crossroads of natural wonders and Provençal heritage. On the edge of the listed village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, known for its faience and medieval charm, the property is hidden at the end of a discreet country lane, in a green setting filled with the scents of lavender and garrigue. In the background, the imposing limestone cliffs watch over the village's steep alleys, while just a few minutes away, the Sainte-Croix lake and the Verdon Gorges unveil their spectacular panoramas. A place out of time, where nature, history, and serenity meet.

From Farmhouse to Charming Residence

La Bastide de Moustiers is a former 17th-century farmhouse that has retained all the authenticity of its origins. Long the property of a master faience maker, the stone building has been restored with deep respect for its history and soul. You'll find period architectural features such as thick stone walls, exposed beam ceilings, and carefully preserved terracotta tile floors. Surrounded by four hectares of fragrant gardens, it perfectly embodies Provence's rustic elegance. Each room is furnished with vintage finds and tastefully chosen antiques, creating a warm and refined family home atmosphere.

It was in 1994 that Alain Ducasse, then chef at Louis XV in Monaco, discovered this property while touring the region on his motorcycle. Captivated by the charm of this Provençal farmhouse, he initially made it his country home before opening its doors to guests. With the help of decorator Tonia Peyrot, the rooms were refreshed in a spirit of elegant simplicity, in line with the chef's vision. Today, La Bastide de Moustiers still bears the strong imprint of Alain Ducasse's personality: a place of sincere hospitality, discreet beauty, and passion for local craftsmanship.

A House of 13 Personalized Rooms and Suites

At La Bastide de Moustiers, the 11 rooms and 2 suites are designed as unique little worlds, each with its own atmosphere. Decorator Tonia Peyrot, a longtime collaborator of Alain Ducasse, brought a unique spirit to each space, blending subtle refinement with Provençal charm. Vintage furniture, characterful objects, old paintings, and local ceramics tell a personal, almost intimate story. Some rooms are on the upper floor of the main building, others in pavilions scattered throughout the park, but all share a sense of harmony and softness, like in a lived-in vacation home.

We stayed in the Volière room, a true cocoon nestled in a small standalone pavilion adjacent to the main building. This 35 m² Deluxe Room charms with its peaceful and warm ambiance, featuring a beautiful palette of natural tones — ochres and ecrus. The Provençal tile floor and metal canopy bed add an authentic and romantic touch. The room opens onto a private terrace facing the park, ideal for enjoying the garden's calm and scents. The bathroom is equipped with a vintage bathtub and bathed in natural light.

The Art of Breakfast According to Alain Ducasse

At La Bastide de Moustiers, breakfast is savored in the calm of the morning, either on the shaded terrace overlooking the valley, in the sunlit conservatory, or in the privacy of your room. Served at the table with great care, it celebrates local and homemade products: jams, assorted breads, fresh fruit, soft brioches prepared by the chef and his team, and eggs cooked to order. A simple and generous moment, true to the spirit of the house.

Seasonal Cuisine Inspired by the Garden

At La Bastide de Moustiers, cuisine is at the heart of the experience, faithful to Alain Ducasse's philosophy: return to the essential, celebrate the product, and elevate nature without altering it. Each day begins in the 2,000 m² vegetable garden, cultivated using intensive bio-market gardening on living soil, where a master gardener harvests vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers that will be cooked just hours later. The Michelin Green Star–awarded cuisine revolves around this absolute freshness, enhanced by a rigorous selection of local producers within an 80-kilometer radius. The lamb comes from La Palud-sur-Verdon, the honey and bread from Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, the fish from the Mediterranean, and the black truffle from the Montagnac market in season. The wine list naturally showcases the best terroirs of Provence.

Since 2024, Alsatian chef Valentin Fuchs has led this plant-forward and sincere cuisine. Having trained in Ducasse's kitchens in Monaco and Saint-Tropez, he now delivers an author's cuisine that respects seasonality — refined yet without excess. Each dish is crafted as an extension of the garden, from root to leaf, to reveal true flavors and natural textures. Served on the shaded terrace or in the cozy dining room, his creations reflect a deep commitment: that of an inn in harmony with its environment, where technique serves the product, and emotion is always present.

Our Starred Dinner Between Refinement and Garden Produce

The gourmet restaurant perfectly reflects the discreet elegance and sensitive refinement that characterize the entire house. Designed as a series of cozy lounges, it blends Provençal influences and Japanese references dear to Alain Ducasse. In the main room, Japanese artisan pieces — lacquered bowls, Kyoto plates, antique trays — sit alongside a grand walnut fireplace. The adjacent lounges extend this intimate staging: the Decorative Arts Lounge features René Lalique crystal plates, the Faience Lounge honors Moustiers' local traditions, while the Engraver's Lounge, more confidential, celebrates culinary arts through a collection of rare engravings. In fine weather, guests enjoy two terraces — one shaded by a historic plane tree rescued from Lake Sainte-Croix, and the other offering a peaceful valley view.

Our starred dinner at La Bastide de Moustiers was a true immersion in the property's culinary philosophy. The meal began with marinated red mullet, served with saffron potato, crunchy peas, and elderflowers, all enhanced by a delicate and fragrant rockfish broth. Next came a refined vegetable dish: golden gnocchi drizzled with a rich cooking jus and dotted with tender yet crisp artichoke pieces from the garden, adding a lovely texture. A roasted kale leaf topped it off, bringing a touch of vibrant green and crunch.

The main dish — pigeon roasted in the fireplace — stood out for its perfect cooking and bold pairing with garden turnips and a few cherries, adding a fresh and fruity touch. The cheese selection featured fine local options, both fresh and aged, served with a mesclun from the garden. It paid tribute to Provençal terroirs — both rustic and refined — and mainly included fresh and aged goat cheeses in various shapes: round discs, crottins, logs, half-moons… Some were coated with dried herbs, flowers, or spices, others simply ashed or dry-aged.

To finish this refreshing meal, two subtle and contrasting desserts: first, a Campari granita with bitter notes, mixed with pomelo and garden mint. Served in an elegant double-walled glass, this dessert offered a presentation both graphic and refreshing. The bright pink Campari granita provided a delicately balanced bitterness, perfectly offset by the juicy freshness of the pomelo and the sweet-tart flavor of lightly candied citrus. On top, a quenelle of garden mint sorbet, in a vivid green hue, added a fresh, herbal note. Segments of flame-charred citrus added subtle caramelized depth.

And finally, the grand finale: a chocolate tart from Alain Ducasse's Manufacture, accompanied by a smoked hay yogurt and an intriguing cocoa cascara infusion — a deeply indulgent finish. The chocolate tart, simply presented on a textured glass plate, revealed a dense and satiny filling, perfectly balanced between intensity and finesse, set on a thin, crispy crust. Alongside it, a small stoneware bowl held a hay-smoked yogurt with creamy texture and subtly woody flavor, paired with a cocoa crumble to enhance its aromas. A warm cocoa cascara infusion, served separately, extended the experience with soft, roasted notes.

Living Provence Close to Nature

At La Bastide de Moustiers, days unfold in harmony with nature — from sensory strolls and relaxing by the heated pool to exploring the garden's world. A true haven of peace, the estate invites guests to wander through its four hectares, among olive trees, lavender, pines, and fruit trees. Designed as an extension of the kitchen, the herb garden features over 80 varieties of medicinal, aromatic, and edible plants, to be discovered via a sensory and educational trail dotted with faience labels. Behind the bastide, the permaculture vegetable garden, grown without chemicals, showcases an astonishing diversity of vegetables — including about thirty tomato varieties and ten types of zucchini — all hand-harvested and used daily in the kitchen. The estate is also home to a few gentle companions, including two donkeys — Hermione and Gariguette — who silently watch over this preserved corner of Provence.

My Opinion

Staying at La Bastide de Moustiers is like treating yourself to a rare escape, where every detail reflects a vision of sincere hospitality and respect for nature. Between discreet refinement, local roots, and Provençal art de vivre, Alain Ducasse's house embodies a certain idea of luxury: the luxury of reclaimed time, true flavors, and the simple beauty of well-made things. An inspiring place, untouched by trends and noise, where you feel at home from the very first moment.

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Many thanks to La Bastide de Moustiers for the invitation to discover their property. Of course, I remain free in my opinions expressed in this article!