Bastide Saint Georges ★★★★

Approaching Bastide St Georges, blue sky stretches above you and manicured lawns filled with ancient olive trees sprawl below your feet. Once inside you will truly find your haven – one of the individually decorated rustic Provencal style rooms. Featuring chunky wood-beamed ceilings and doors, chic 16th-century style French furniture, the tones and soft furnishings come in shades of lavender, mimicking the Provencal landscape outside.

Begin your stay with a drink on your private terrace, looking out towards the olive groves and then perhaps go for a dip in the large outdoor pool – in summer, cool and refreshing and in winter, heated until October for extra warmth and comfort.

Head out to explore and you’ll soon find yourself at the charming hilltop village of Forcalquier, where you can see vestiges of the old stone wall, as well as marvel at the magnificence of its golden citadel and 19th century octagonal Notre Dame of Provence chapel. Explore further and you’ll discover the old walled town of Manosque, lying in the Durance River plain. A lively town with plenty of shops, restaurants and a vibrant market on Sundays makes it a worthwhile visit.

A holiday in the Lubéron isn’t complete without a spot of true relaxation though too. Luckily, you don’t have to think about it too much though as the Bastide St Georges has it covered in its omnisens spa. Featuring a hammam, whirlpool and indoor swimming pool, this place will surely do the trick. Try their signature massage featuring hot pouches of lavender flowers for extra indulgence.

A highly fertile area, Provence owes much of its cuisine to its fresh produce and its cuisine is much more similar to those of other Mediterranean countries such as Italy or Spain. Dishes feature a lot of fresh vegetables, seafood and goat’s cheese in particular. Sample some sublime Provençal and Mediterranean cuisine at the hotel’s Casa Gia restaurant, where Chef Loic Arnaud delivers deliciously fresh dishes created using the best products in the area.