Domaine de la Xavolière

Postcard Perfect Provence

Offering hiking trails right out the door, mountain bikes, plus alfresco dining terraces near the generous saltwater swimming pool and pétanque pitch, this intimate country inn’s focus on rest and recreation in Provence’s warm embrace is only one part of its pretty picture.

Inside the heritage structure, the romantic, rural styling continues. Each bedroom suite is unique, with crisp, comfortable, modern furnishings in a subdued natural palette that harmonizes beautifully with the exposed-stone walls and original, terracotta tile floors. Antique doors open into light-filled rooms named for French writers, and a daily organic breakfast is prepared each morning with eggs from the farm’s hen house.

Rooms

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry is an upstairs corner room facing south/southeast, with views of the pool and a walk-in shower clad in sea green Zelig tiles that does The Little Prince proud.

André Gide is a standout space in natural hues and defining textures, an spirited, individual space worthy of the Nobel Laureate.

Albert Camus is a warm, thought-provoking suite decorated in subtly saturated tones of russet to ochre, with a grey, Zelig tile shower behind a glass room partition.

Andre Malraux is a stately suite, bright and calm and decorated in shades of pastel green with a king-sized bed, garden views, and green Zelig tiled bath.

Paul Valéry is a poetic space, one distinctly Mediterranean, sun-drenched and shining, with a private entrance and deep soaking tub right in the room.

Around

The bed and breakfast exudes pure Provençal romance, surrounded by olive trees and lavender fields, with mountain views and hilltop village vistas across its 10 panoramic hectares. It is located within striking distance of the Côte d’Azur and only 10 kilometers from Grasse, the world’s perfume capital. The closest village is Cabris, which offers an exceptional panorama encompassing the coastline from St. Tropez to Nice.

Located down a private dirt road, the property is insulated by dense Mediterranean vegetation and oak, cypress and olive trees. The GR 51, a trail in France's national network of well-marked hiking routes, is accessible directly from the property, and there are e-mountain bikes on site to borrow as well, the region full of biking terrain from expert to beginner.

The neighboring village of Cabris (3 kilometers) is medieval and lively, a small community that’s traditionally been home to writers and artists, with a good selection of cafes and restaurants. Another nearby medieval village, St Cézaire sur Siagne is particularly dramatic, its stone buildings perched on a rocky outcrop offering 360-degree views. Gréolieres, yet another medieval enclave, is best known for its challenging outdoor activities—canyoneering, climbing, paragliding and mountain biking, as well as tamer pursuits such as fishing and hiking.

St Paul de Vence, emblematic of Provence’s postcard pretty, hilltop villages, offers a beautifully manicured version of regional stone architecture and a busy community of artists and artisans whose galleries, studios and foundations are open for visits. The Côte d’Azur is a half-hour drive, with legendary destinations such as Cannes, Nice, and St. Tropez all great day trip options.

Location

Nearest airport: Nice (45 minutes)

Best time to visit

May to October