Les Airelles La Bastide de Gordes

The history of La Bastide reaches back more than five centuries, and the main house dates from the 16th century. The hotel is made up of several historic buildings and ramparts, some carved into the ivory-hued limestone on which Gordes stands.

The hotel ties the house to a line of artists. In 1948 Victor Vasarely and his wife fell under the charm of the Luberon, attracted by the particular light of Provence, and the hotel says that Marc Chagall, Jean Deyrolle, Serge Poliakoff and André Lhote found inspiration there too.

In 2015 La Bastide opened as a Maison Airelles, thanks to the know-how of more than 150 artisans. Architect Christophe Tollemer set out to create a Provençal house in the full sense, furnished with European antiques, period artworks, wood carvings and Pierre Frey fabrics. Antique portraits, objets d'art and leather-bound books fill the rooms. The MICHELIN Guide notes interiors inspired by the elegance of the 18th century and describes the atmosphere as contemporary classic and quiet.

The hotel stands at 61 rue de la Combe. From its terraces and hanging gardens the view opens over the Luberon valley, an outlook the MICHELIN Guide calls expansive. Lush terraced gardens and romantic stone ramparts give panoramic views.

Views from the rooms take in the village, the valley or the Luberon massif, and sometimes more than one of these. The room names act as a guide: the Chambre Deluxe Vallée faces the Luberon valley, while the Chambre Deluxe Village overlooks the village of Gordes. Beyond the walls, the concierge arranges visits to the lavender fields of the Abbaye de Sénanque and rounds of golf.

The Chambre Supérieure Vallée, at 29 m² for two, looks over the Luberon valley and mountains and includes a sitting area with a desk. The Chambre Supérieure Village, at 30 m² for two, has a large sitting area, period furnishings and an 18th-century secretary desk, alongside many objets d'art sourced from renowned antique dealers. Its woodwork combines patinated panelling, low wainscoting, fabrics and fireplaces.

A step up, the Chambre Deluxe Vallée measures 34 m² for two. It is decorated with period furniture and authentic 18th-century pieces, with parquet laid in a Hungarian point pattern and wood panelling. The Chambre Deluxe Village, at 35 m² for two, has period furniture and panelling; some of these rooms retain antique fireplaces.

The Junior Suite, at 40 m² for two, looks over the Luberon massif. Its sitting area has an authentic secretary and a period fireplace, toile de Jouy fabrics surround the bed, and the walls carry authentic boiseries and patinated cimaises. On request it can be connected to another room.

The Junior Suite Prestige is 48 m² for up to three, overlooking the Luberon valley. The hotel describes its lime-washed ceiling as remarkable; floors are terracotta or parquet, with refined boiseries and delicate floral friezes. There is a sitting area with a secretary, a large dressing room, and a bathroom with separate shower and double vanity; some suites add a claw-foot bath.

Beefbar occupies the terrace of La Bastide, serving what the hotel calls the finest meats in the world, with the Luberon as a backdrop. Le Bar de La Bastide opens daily from 11:00 to midnight, with food served continuously from 12:00 to 23:00 and tapas from 18:00 to 22:00.

For something more personal, La Table du Potager is a dinner for two to eight guests with a menu personalised by Chef Pierre Marty. It lasts three and a half hours from 19:00 and must be reserved at least 48 hours ahead. Breakfast in the Garden, for two to four guests, lasts two hours from 09:00; it needs 72 hours' notice and is subject to weather conditions.

The Spa Airelles by Guerlain takes its inspiration from Provençal abbeys, the Abbaye de Sénanque in particular, with vaulted stone ceilings from Burgundy. It has four treatment rooms, a hammam, a sauna and an indoor pool set under the vaults. The spa is open daily from 10:00 to 20:00. The signature Guerlain ritual draws on the olive tree, a symbol of longevity, and uses purifying clay and soothing honey.

Outside, the terrace pool is surrounded by centenary olive trees and tall cypresses. The fitness room covers 90 m² and is equipped with Technogym Artis, and a personal coach is available on request for guests who want a structured session.

The Airelles Summer Camp welcomes children from age 3, with its own pool and an arcade games room. Activities run from colouring, painting, board games and Lego to jewellery making, treasure hunts, ping-pong, pool parties and magic shows. Teenagers have their own area with billiards, arcade games and darts. At the spa, children aged 4 and over can have a Gentle Facial or Relaxation Massage, and a Duo cabin lets a parent and child share a treatment.

Room rates include a gourmet breakfast, the in-room minibar, access to the spa, a selection of non-alcoholic drinks by the pool, garage parking with vehicle cleaning, and the loan of an original 2CV and electric bicycles. The concierge also arranges visits to the lavender fields of the Abbaye de Sénanque and rounds of golf.