Le Couvent des Minimes
Located in Mane, in the Alps of Haute-Provence, Le Couvent des Minimes, Hotel & Spa opened in May 2008 and is a haven of peace, a privileged place. Le Couvent des Minimes, Hotel and Spa arose from a passion shared for the site and this region of Provence. It is a long story of love, a true story that unifies L’Occitane and Provence. For more than 30 years, the soul of this country, its scents, its colors and its people did not stop enriching the cosmetic ranges of products for the body and for the house which made the reputation of the brand. Since the origins, L’Occitane remains faithful to this region where are elaborated its products in its factory of Manosque.
The creation of “Le Couvent des Minimes, Hotel & Spa” is due to the meeting of the people in charge of L’Occitane with Hotel & Spa professionals, falling under the region’s global charms. Some centuries separate us from the creation of Le Couvent des Minimes and a new page of its history will open in 2008 with its transformation in a place of welcoming and care. A charming hotel, of 46 rooms and suites, the "House", and a “Le Couvent des Minimes Spa by L’Occitane”, first to open in France, make of Le Couvent des Minimes a sublime place, an enclave of happiness.
The decoration, inspired by the place combines simplicity and purity. Modernity allied to a certain perusal emphasizes the beauty of the building. Luxury and refinement meet themselves in the quality of materials. Everywhere the white stone dominates, heightened in bedrooms by some touches of pastel colors, plum or blueberry on walls. The clear oak of furniture, created especially for the hotel, harmonizes with the color linen drapes thread or chocolate which remind the braid of the damasked velvet bedspread. Touches of colors are brought by the covered chairs with flowery tissue (by Kenzo) where get involved off-white, mole, red scrub, and chocolate or other fabric with grey, black, parma and pink stripes. Heating stones inlaid in the parquet lead from the bedroom to the bathroom. In the bathroom, the raw stone is valorised, the stoneware grey or chocolate-brown céramé for the bathtub and the shower, the natural stone beaten for the sink. Certain bedrooms have a private garden, or a patio, and others with a terrace.
At Le Cloître, in a decoration of a total purity where grey and chocolate drapes meet the white of tablecloths and the parma and plum of the chairs, the menu purely reflects flavors of Provence. Associating flavors and perfumes from Provence with Mediterranean colors Philippe Guerin has conceived Le Cloître menu around these compromises. Using natural products, partly grown in our gardens, dishes keep their original taste. A simple invitation to the region: “Saint Vincent asparagus palette fricassee, velouté and custard with milky mousse”, a variation on the Provence asparagus theme, coming with truffles and vinaigrette, lemongrass velouté topped with a milky mousse. From spring onwards, the restaurant opens onto a charming patio, and seated in the “toffy” armchairs seated on white pillows, they sample the wealth of the Mediterranean Sea.
Still in summer, the restaurant-bar Bancaou allows to have lunch slightly at the edge of the swimming pool. Two bars for a glass between friends, or simply to take advantage of a moment of relaxation: Le Pesquier, bar lounge opening on the patio for a glass in summer or a lunch relaxed in winter around a campfire. Its library is ideal to discover the secrets of the region, while savoring a drink. Le caveau, a musical bar with sight on the garden. La cornue, a wine cellar for tasting of vintage wines.
For some years, L’Occitane decided to continue to write its history in the creation of Spa in its brand. The brand, which has already developed several spas abroad (Brazil, China, Portugal), creates at “Le couvent des Minimes” its first Spa in France. Treatments are lavished in 6 cabins of the Spa, among one is for couples. The Spa also offers a hammam, two saunas, inside and outside swimming pools and a fitness room. For those who wish, some treatments can be taken in the bedrooms.
Le Couvent des Minimes, Hotel and Spa offers a complete range of leisure activities, whether it is in the hotel or in its neighborhood. Besides the Spa, the hotel has a heated outside swimming pool, and a tennis court enlightened at night. For swing amateurs, Golf of Lubéron, 18 holes drawn in a natural reserve in the colors of Provence and Golf of Digne La Lavande. For Provence lovers, Mane and its surroundings are a gold mine.
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