Le Mas des Herbes Blanches Hôtel & Spa ★★★★★

What is it that makes Provence so appealing? This is a land immortalised by painters, adored by writers, walked through by nature lovers. It's a land bathed in rich light with the scent of lavender and fennel, where rolling hills and villages somehow seem to have avoided modernity. Gordes is one of the region's most beloved towns, with plenty of foreign tourists and Parisians heading for its picturesque cobblestone streets and quaint squares. We were heading to a hotel on the outskirts of the village, Le Mas Des Herbes Blanches; an old farmhouse which had distilled the very essence of Provence into its bricks.

After being welcomed by the friendly staff, we were soon sat with a drink on the terrace, overlooking a beautiful panoramic view. The restaurant serves gourmet regional dishes made from fresh vegetables and aromatic herbs. The old stone farmhouse is surrounded by elegant pines and Mediterranean plants, whilst the large outdoor pool has plenty of loungers to relax with a good book.

This is a five-star establishment which is part of the prestigious Relais & Châteaux network. The facilities available were as you’d expect – a tennis court, bike hire, massages on request and a solarium. A sense of peace pervaded the establishment, an air of exclusivity. Light, neutral soft colours and pretty patterned upholstery perfectly echoed the essence of the environment.

Our room was a gorgeous example of French countryside-chic. With plenty of natural light, it was welcoming, spacious and relaxing. With terracotta tiles and antique furniture, we utterly adored the understated elegance. Best of all was having our own private terrace where we could enjoy coffee in the morning, and watch the spectacular sunset before heading out for dinner.

Le Mas des Herbes Blanches and the village of Gordes provided the perfect dose of Provençal organic luxury.