DISCOVER THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED IN THE SOUTH OF FRANCE IN A CITROEN 2CV

The discerning traveller searching for a more unique French experience need not look further than Provence this summer and autumn, with a variety of alternative guest experiences to enjoy until November.  

Those wishing to discover the road less travelled and truly experience all that Provence has to offer in a charming and original way will love a vintage road trip.  Navigate from one enchanting village to another in a classic Citroen 2CV convertible, allowing those onboard to take in the fragrant summer air as they discover all that Provence has to offer. 

Begin the journey in Tourtour, a village once home to famed French artist Bernard Buffet, a contemporary of Picasso and Yves Saint Laurent. Visitors can explore the eclectic collection of independent art galleries and restaurants serving superb French cuisine, and view the statue of famed artist Bernard Buffet, whose former home in Tourtour has been converted into the elegant Domaine de la Baume, a luxury boutique hotel complete with tennis court, swimming pool and equestrian centre.

From here venture to Menerbes, a walled medieval village in the foothills of the French Alps. Famed as the site of a major battle between Huguenots and Catholics during the French Wars of Religion, today the quiet village is a hub for artists due to its picturesque surroundings. Visitors to Menerbes can stay at the romantic La Bastide de Marie, an elegant 18th century country farm restored in-keeping with traditional Provençal style, located in the heart of vineyard Domaine de Marie, the wines of which guests can sample while dining alfresco under the shade of a leafy lime tree.

Drivers can continue on to Saint-Tropez, the famous hot spot for the rich and famous, for the perfect ending to an adventure in Provence. Enjoy spectacular fresh seafood in the port terrace cafes with views of the local fishing boats juxtaposed against huge luxury yachts, or visit Place des Lices, the charming central square lined with plane trees where the famous games of pétanque are played. Villa Marie, nestled amongst three hectares of pine trees and overlooking the enchanting Bay of Pampelonne, is a perfect base to experience the best of the Riviera. Like Domaine de la Baume and La Bastide de Marie, Villa Marie is home to Maisons & Hotels Sibuet’s exclusive spa brand, Spa Pure Altitude, offering a product range with rare active ingredients that have anti-oxidising and remineralising properties, offering a perfect way to unwind after a drive.

Visitors to Provence can also try a truly unusual gastronomy experience, seeking out the ‘black diamond’ of the food world, the black truffle. Guests of sister properties Domaine de la Baume or Villa Marie can search for one of the most sought after edible mushrooms in the world, guided by their taste buds - as well as a truffle hunter guide and two four-legged friends - to discover these small black gems in the spectacular Provençal countryside. Guests will be able to enjoy the fruits of their excursion as the experience also includes a cookery class on how to cook truffles to perfection.

Running through the summer months when the South of France is in full bloom to when the vineyards are harvested in the Autumn, these experiences will give travellers an insight into the areas history and a unique view of the beautiful and ever-changing Provençal landscape.

Maisons & Hotels Sibuet offers both a three day and a five day vintage road trips through Provence until 05.10.2014.  

• •    Three day vintage road trip: includes car hire (excludes petrol), one night full board accommodation at Domaine de la Baume, La Bastide de Marie and Villa Marie, including breakfast, afternoon tea, aperitif and an evening meal with Domaine de Marie wines, mineral water and coffee at each property. 

  •    Five day vintage road trip: includes car hire (excludes petrol), two nights full board accommodation at both Domaine de la Baume and La Bastide de Marie, as well as one night full board accommodation at Villa Marie, and includes breakfast, afternoon tea, aperitif and an evening meal with Domaine de Marie wines, mineral water and coffee at each property. 

Rates start from €829 per person for a 3 day road trip in Classic rooms

The Truffle trove of pleasure package is available at Domaine de la Baume or Villa Marie until 15.11.2014. 

• •    5 nights accommodation a full board basis including breakfast, afternoon tea, aperitif and an evening meal with Domaine de Marie wines, mineral water and coffee.
  •    A morning truffle hunt with the truffle hunter and his two canine companions
  •    1 cookery class where you will learn to cook with truffles
•  

Rates from €1,160 per person in a Classic room.

Notes to Editors

Maisons & Hotels Sibuet: www.maisons-hotels-sibuet.com 
Owned and run by the Sibuet family for 31 years, Maisons & Hotels Sibuet are amongst the finest hotels in some of the most beautiful areas of France. The collection is one of Europe’s most innovative groups and includes nine hotels in the French Alps, Lyon and the South of France; most recently the Nordic-inspired Altapura ‘ski-palace’ in Val Thorens, which opened in December 2011, and the former residence of French expressionist painter, Bernard Buffet which opened in the heart of Provence in Summer 2013. The properties are characterised by their unique design, attention to detail and sensational gourmet offerings, as well as Pure Altitude – the group’s award-winning spa brand. 

Domaine de la Baume, Tourtour, Provence: www.domaine-delabaume.com
The former residence of French Expressionist painter Bernard Buffet, Domaine de la Baume soft launched in summer 2013 as an intimate eight-room hotel in picturesque Tourtour. Providing enormous inspiration for Buffet's later works, this charming 18th century house is set in 99 acres, just over an hour by road from Nice and Marseille. The beautiful French grounds include olive groves, where house oil is produced; riding stables; and an outdoor spa overlooking the waterfalls. Set between the Verdon Gorges and the French Riviera, it is the perfect base from which to explore the surrounding Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur region.  The hotel will reopen on 18 April 2014 with seven additional rooms and a Pure Altitude Spa. Rates from 440 EUR (half board). 

Bastide de Marie, Menerbes, Provence: www.labastidedemarie.com
Nestled among 20 hectares of vineyard and gardens, in the heart of Luberon Natural Park, Bastide de Marie is a fully restored 18th century farmhouse estate, with just 14 suites. The main areas include the wine-tasting vault, old-fashioned farmhouse kitchen, library and expansive terrace restaurant, overlooking the gardens and adjoining Domaine de Marie vineyard. For a more unusual and romantic stay, guests can overnight in the bohemian Roulotte, a gypsy-chic style caravan in the grounds; or for 2014, electric bikes and vintage cars, eg the traditional French deux chevaux will be available to hire in order to explore the region. Rates from 350 EUR (half board).  

Villa Marie, Ramatuelle, St Tropez: www.villamarie.fr
Resembling a private house rather than a hotel, Villa Marie sits in the heart of a three-hectare pine forest just outside the village of Ramatuelle. With magnificent views over the fashionable Bay of Pampelonne, the 45-room hotel reinvents the charm of the Riviera though adds some laid-back Italian glamour. Offering delicious Mediterranean cuisine, immaculate Italian-influenced interiors, an inviting swimming pool carved from the hillside’s rock and an indulgent Pure Altitude spa, Villa Marie is just 10 minutes from the action of Saint Tropez. Rates from 330 EUR.