Head for the Var hinterland to discover one of Provence’s most beautiful estates. Since March 7, Château de Berne has once again been welcoming its wine and epicurean clientele for a stay of excellence and typical southern hospitality.
Nestled in the picturesque village of Flayosc, Château de Berne is the pride and joy of the local community. The five-star Relais & Châteaux establishment lies at the heart of 515 hectares of parkland, 150 of which are dedicated to organically-farmed vineyards. More than just a hotel address, the estate is well known to wine lovers. The vineyards are planted on the Triassic plateau, which rests on a limestone bed of Middle and Lower Jurassic age. The result is Côtes de Provence red, rosé and white wines of fine structure and elegant elegance. As well as strolling close to the vines, travelers can discover them in the sublime vaulted tasting cellar, which also offers estate olive oil, local jams and honeys, as well as handcrafted decorative objects. Numerous wine-related activities are offered, including wine safaris, grape harvests and masterclasses with a sommelier.
34 rooms and 7 villas
Within these hundreds of hectares, the two outdoor swimming pools are nestled among pine, olive and palm trees. One is isolated from the estate by a stone wall and offers a panoramic view of the surroundings, while the other is surrounded by deckchairs and overlooks the 18th-century building.
This historic château houses 34 rooms and suites. The promise of an intimate stay, far from the big resorts with hundreds of keys. In these accommodations, the terracotta floor tiles typical of the South of France are the masterpieces, the flowery curtains brighten up the rooms and the classic furniture lends a chic country atmosphere. All set against the backdrop of the region, which reveals itself in the window frames and generates different light and color according to the time of day.
But that’s not all. Château de Berne has distributed 7 villas on either side of the estate. These stone bastides can accommodate between 3 and 20 people. They’re the perfect way to enjoy a totally private, home-from-home stay, while still having access to all the hotel’s facilities. It’s also an opportunity to create lasting memories as you watch your children play in the pool and your loved ones laugh in the garden from the shady terrace – with a glass of the estate’s rosé in hand.
Top-flight gastronomy
Château de Berne is also renowned for its culinary offerings. Its Le Jardin de Berne gourmet restaurant, awarded one Michelin star and one green star, is helmed by two artists of the kitchen: Louis Rameau, a creative chef who respects seasonal and local produce, and Eric Raynal, the pastry chef who won the red guide’s Passion Desserts selection in 2020.
For inspiration, the two chefs simply visit the estate’s 3,000 m2 kitchen garden. Vegetables, berries, fruit, aromatic plants, flowers… A lovingly tended culture whose produce goes from the earth to the plate in a matter of hours.
Louis Rameau’s signature meals include fillet of red mullet with wild fennel espuma, or roast pigeon with Mediterranean herbs. For dessert, the “cueillette d’herbes et fleurs”, creamy garden verbena, herb sorbet and honey-yuzu vinaigrette, takes us straight to the wonders of the kitchen garden. All dishes are of course paired with the estate’s wines.
In the afternoon, the pool bar is the ideal place for a mocktail under the sun, while in the evening, the hotel’s cosy bar, with its own terrace, orchestrates musical evenings on Thursdays.
The Château de Berne spa, an ode to well-being
The 800m2 Château de Berne spa is a sanctuary of relaxation. The large indoor pool is surrounded by a mural of trees reminiscent of the surrounding nature. Through the bay windows, you can see a terrace where you can relax, and the region as far as the eye can see. Jacuzzis, a hammam and a solarium complete the wellness experience, while yoga in the vineyards is the perfect escape.
Treatments are provided by the high-end Maisons Cinq Mondes and Vinésime. The exclusive “Château de Berne par Vinésime” ritual is the nugget in this temple of relaxation, with a treatment based on Grenache Noir from the organic vineyards of the Plateau de Berne.
For sports enthusiasts, the hotel offers a multitude of activities on its own estate or with local partners. Tennis, paddle, archery, pickleball, horseback riding and mountain biking are available within the grounds, while golf and kayaking excursions can be booked from the hotel. The concierge is always on hand to assist guests, and takes pleasure in revealing the region’s best addresses, from Provencal villages to the beaches of the Côte d’Azur.
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Featured photo : © Château de Berne
