In the heart of Provence, Coquillade Village is a luxury resort that offers an upscale experience with top-notch facilities: 63 chic rooms and suites, a gourmet restaurant, two casual restaurants, a majestic 1500 m² spa, and other amenities such as the vineyard and gorgeous swimming pools. Come with me to this idyllic place where I spent two unforgettable nights during my trip through Provence last September!
A Hamlet Built by Cistercian Monks
It was his love for the Lubéron that convinced Swiss entrepreneur Andreas Rihs to purchase this hamlet, built by Cistercian monks and perched up on a hilltop, in 2006. His ambition was to turn this vineyard-surrounded village into the most beautiful wine tourism resort in the Vaucluse! After a tremendous two-year renovation, Coquillage Village opened to the public in 2008, and today it’s managed by Carmen and Werner Wunderli.
A Resort Offering Multiple Experiences
Once through the majestic gates, we drove along an alley lined with impressive cypress trees and instantly felt immersed in the vacation ambiance. As a member of the “Relais & Chateaux” catalogue, Coquillade Village offered us plenty of opportunities over several days to try new experiences with its upscale resort concept. This site acts as a popular destination for cyclists, both beginners and experts, who come here to combine their passion with a chic vacation. The cycling center offers bikes for rent and for sale, and the exceptional surroundings offer a wonderful place to go for a ride.
For guests in need of a more relaxing vacation, the resort’s two outdoor heated pools are the place to be. The natural environment is magnificent and offers a perfect excuse to lounge around, of course, while the Pool Bar provides drinks and snacks throughout the day.
A Vineyard to Explore
As per Andreas Rihs’ wishes, the Aureto vineyard is a mainstay of wine tourism in the area. This 36-hectare vineyard, which has been producing wine since the 13th century, is the perfect destination for wine lovers, be they connoisseurs or amateurs. We were in luck, as we arrived during grape harvest festivities and the resort had a lovely schedule planned: a walk through the estate with illuminated explanations, followed by a visit to the resort’s wine cellar and a tasting.
63 Rooms with a Chic and Contemporary Provençal Look
Despite the estate’s enormous size, the establishment only offers 63 rooms, including 42 suites. Our elegant Junior Suite featured a bright design: chic and contemporary with Provençal influences. With its stone structures, wood paneling, and rust-colored walls, the resort has preserved the authenticity of the buildings, with some walls dating all the way back to the 11th century. The interiors combine local décor with refined touches from some of the biggest names in design, such as Philippe Starck. As for our bathroom, it included a jacuzzi and a shower that doubled as a steam room. Pure bliss!
Top-Notch Dinner at Le Gourmet
Coquillade Village offers no fewer than three restaurants and three bars! Here you’ll find healthy, authentic, and tasty cuisine, with plenty of local vegetables. Le Gourmet, a gastronomic restaurant with two chef’s hats in the Gault & Millau guide (and our choice for the first evening), proposes creative and subtle cuisine with Mediterranean accents. It pays homage to regional food, serving wines from the Aureto vineyard alongside a selection of well-known grands crus. In an authentic ambiance reminiscent of Provence, chef Thierry Enderlin delighted us with a menu specially created for the grape harvest festival.
Flavorful Bistro Cuisine
On the second evening we headed for the restaurant Le Bistrot, where we enjoyed a dinner full of fresh produce and southern French influences. We took advantage of the summery September temperatures on the terrace, admiring an unencumbered view of the grapevines with the valley in the background. The combination of the surrounding nature with flavorful cuisine guaranteed us an unforgettable evening. This restaurant is also where we went in the morning for a sunny breakfast. We indulged in a varied and high-quality buffet (with an honorable mention for the baker, whose breads and croissants were truly marvelous!).
Il Ristorante: La Dolce Vita Beside the Pool
Beside the pool (where guests go to drink in the vacation ambiance), you can enjoy Italian flavors with a variety a sun-kissed dishes. At lunchtime, guests can eat a healthy meal thanks to a buffet of appetizers and raw vegetables followed by delicious desserts, while those with bigger appetites can opt for à la carte dishes like pizza and risotto. At dinnertime, the restaurant offers a more refined setting and more elaborate recipes.
A Fabulous 1500 m² Spa
For a truly relaxing moment, head to the spa, which will help you to completely disconnect from the real world. Following a personalized greeting, I discovered a 1500 m² center dedicated to wellbeing and fitness. This generous space offered a glimpse of our natural surroundings, including glass saunas and outdoor jacuzzis with a view of the vineyard. Just a short swim in the bubbly jacuzzi is enough to make you forget the mundane concerns of everyday life. During my visit, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to indulge in a massage. For couples, it’s possible to book one of the two private spa rooms with a massage table as well as the sauna, steam room, and jacuzzi ‒ perfect for a date!
The Verdict
Coquillade Village is a luxury resort for lovers of sporty activities, but also for those looking to relax in a serene, picturesque environment. Fans of Provence will find some of the best the region has to offer, from the exceptional setting to the many available five-star services. The three restaurants and the variety of on-site activities, including the superb spa, make for several days of pure happiness amidst the vineyards.
I loved:
- The vacation-like environment: I truly felt like I was on vacation in this resort, allowing me to recharge my batteries even after only two nights.
- You can easily spend several days here without ever needing to leave the village, with the spa, vineyard, three restaurants, and more.
- The most beautiful villages in the Lubéron are only a short distance away!
I disliked:
- The personnel was not quite up to five-star standards
Practical Information
- More information available on their website
- Junior Suite starting at 570 € in late September 2018
Thank you to Coquillade Village for the invitation to explore their establishment. Of course, the content of this blogpost was left entirely up to me!
