La Maison de Crillon

One of the reasons I was so eager to visit Provence was to witness for myself the landscapes that captured the hearts of some of my favourite artists – Picasso, Matisse and Cézanne to name but a few. Its beauty, incredibly, lived up to every expectation. As I gazed across the valley from the side of the infinity pool, I could see rows of twisting olive trees and hazy green valleys, an imposing view of Mont Ventoux in the distance crowned by impossibly blue skies – quite honestly, I was lost for words!

La Maison de Crillon may not have been around at the time to inspire these art giants but it certainly looks like it could have been; the sun bleached cobbled bricks and terracotta roof blended seamlessly into its surroundings and give it a tangible personality and warmth. My spacious Prestige room reflected this Provençal heritage and radiated quintessential French style, but also featured a few recovered furniture pieces which gave it a bespoke, luxurious feel.

But how could I talk about the marvels of Provence and not mention the food? Food is not simply important in here– it is a much loved passion and a cornerstone of life. Although the Maison de Crillon only serves breakfast (which, I must add, was excellent) the friendly staff were more than happy to serve a range of snacks such as locally cured charcuterie and olives, the perfect complement to an afternoon basking in the sun by the infinity pool. As I sat there, with the only sounds being the soft rustle of the wind through the trees and the gentle clinking of the ice cubes in my glass, I couldn’t help but agree with Cézanne – this really was paradise.