Le Prieuré-Baumanière is a haven of peace nestled in the medieval town of Villeneuve-lès-Avignon. This Relais & Châteaux restaurant has just won back its Michelin star. Its chef, Christophe Chiavola, delights us with his Mediterranean and floral dishes.
Across the Rhône from Avignon, Le Prieuré is a country house in the city, housed in a former 14th-century monastery. As soon as you step inside, you’re captivated by the peaceful setting, set against the backdrop of the Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame de Villeneuve-lès-Avignon. This calm, once enjoyed by men and women of the clergy, is a perfect balm for the troubled souls of the modern world.
Villeneuve-lès-Avignon is a rare commune in France. It’s still unspoiled by tourism, despite its collection of monuments! Strollers are delighted to discover Fort Saint-André and the Abbey, the Papal Charterhouse and the Tour Philippe Le Bel. They enjoy browsing antique shops, lingering in a bookshop, stopping off at a café terrace…
Le Prieuré is an ideal place to stay away from the hustle and bustle of Avignon during the Festival, which this year runs from June 29 to July 22. Guests love to relax here, or use it as a base for day trips to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Nîmes, Arles, the villages of the Luberon…
This five-star hotel was bought in 2007 by Geneviève and Jean-André Charial, owners of Domaine de Baumanière in Les Baux-de-Provence. They have turned this historic house into a place that perpetuates a philosophy, an authentic and sincere art of living. Director Alexandre Favier and his smiling team are here to make you feel at home. Le Prieuré has just been awarded a Michelin star, a new distinction from the red guide that highlights establishments with a little extra soul!
A priest’s garden with wisteria trellises
With its curé garden and wisteria trellises, Le Prieuré offers 38 rooms and suites in three buildings. Geneviève Charial’s clean, luminous décor features contemporary furnishings that enhance the charm of the old stones.
This makes Le Prieuré a convivial hotel where you can relax, dream and sleep in absolute silence.
The Priory’s original building, the first stones of which were laid in 1332, now beautifully covered in ivy, houses the rooms with their old-world charm. The Chapter adjoining the main house opens onto spacious rooms with private balconies. The Atrium is a more recent construction, offering living rooms overlooking the pool. On hot days, this open-air pool is a real eye-catcher. And, for added comfort, there are rarely many swimmers in the 18-meter-long pool. You can enjoy a cocktail on a deckchair, lulled by the rustle of plane, cypress and lime trees.
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Featured Photo: Le Prieuré-Baumanière, a country townhouse nestled in the medieval town of Villeneuve-lès-Avignon © Olivier Pascuito
