Le Domaine de la Petite Isle ★★★★

“I mean the heart pleasure you get from looking at speckled leaves or the palimpsested bark of plane trees in Provence.” - Jeffrey Eugenides

Ultimately, the goal of any holiday is to relax, and there’s no better place for that than Provence, a beautiful region with a laidback ethos and a slow approach to life. Gentle streams thread the untamed landscape, fields of lavender bloom and wild animals roam. It’s alongside these flowing rivers that your hotel, and thus your stay, is set.

We start in Avignon, the historic UNESCO city with the feel of a medieval town. Avignon’s ancient streets are overflowing with sophisticated gourmet restaurants and chic cafes for any visitor to enjoy, but the real draw of the city is the magnificent Gothic architectural additions built in the city when the papacy moved here in the 14th century. The most famous landmark, however, sits upon the River Rhone – the incredible Pont d'Avignon, standing upon the waters since feudal times. Just over an hour away is the leisure town of Aix-en-Provence. No lazy meandering rivers here; instead, waters burst through the ground in natural hot springs (so endeavour to visit one of the town’s spas), and in over 1000 elaborate carved fountains.

Between the two, you’ll come across the Domaine de la Petite Isle, a relaxing retreat after the lively Avignon and Aix-en-Provence. The Sorgue gently winds past the hotel, providing a peaceful place to sit and escape modern life. The relaxing atmosphere continues into the hotel, with the comfortable and modern rooms furnished with images of Provence’s flora and fauna. The terrace restaurant serves French cuisine with fresh ingredients grown locally. And should the natural waters of the River Sorgue not be to your liking, there is always the crystal-clear swimming pool to lounge beside under the cover of the palm trees instead.

The serene Domaine de la Petite Isle offers an oasis of tranquillity from the sea of Provençal titans either side of you, providing a relaxing holiday with plenty of opportunities for culture and history bubbling along just under the surface.