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Among the great Aix residences of the 17th and 18th centuries which are testament to the art of living enjoyed by the great families of the region who came here in search of a little freshness and tranquility, La Gaude is undoubtedly a triumph. Having recently emerged from a long slumber, the château once again presents its guests with the splendours of the classical architecture which has now been meticulously restored. The ensemble is further extended by the subtle arrangement of the French-style garden and the rows of vines in the wine estate. Here, the passion for wine is equal to that of contemporary art which punctuates the spaces with oftentimes monumental works. Under the benevolent protection of the Sainte-Victoire mountain which seems to ensure that these Provençal lands remain intact, one can revel in the beauty, flavours and scents without ever growing bored.
When I bought the Château de la Gaude, a beautiful bastide that had been dormant for fifteen years, I wanted nothing more than to revive the estate and restore its elegance. Today, this prestigious hotel for wine tourism also offers a refined menu alongside a talented, visionary chef in the kitchen. I am incredibly proud of the whole team who deploy their energy every day and unite in the name of this project to ensure we succeed together.
The challenge was to infuse the chateau with a contemporary spirit whilst still preserving its memory. The volumes of the bastide remain but the floors, stairs and doors have been restyled. By examining the history of the place and overcoming certain constraints, the estate was afforded a new personality that combines modernity and tradition. At the heart of the chateau's identity are the French gardens which greatly inspired the project. Decorative reminders that echo their aesthetic are scattered throughout the estate. The wine cellar in particular features a curved, mirrored ceiling with an effigy of the garden etched in polished stainless steel - a real highlight which endlessly reflects the décor and our visitors! The concrete cellar was constructed underground, completely shielded from light.
The estate is located ten minutes from downtown Aix-en-Provence in the Pinchinats district which was once home to the textile workshops that were established in the Middle Ages. These workshops required an abundance of pure water which was sourced from the Pinchinats, a long standing reserve of drinking water for the city. The Aix bourgeoisie gradually settled in this rural district and had bastides built here in the 17th and 18th centuries. This winegrower's estate with a view of the Sainte-Victoire, symbol of Provence, is a perfect example of one of these bastides. It covers a total of twenty-five hectares, thirteen of which are reserved for the vines spread over nineteen "AOC - Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence" classified plots. They consist mainly of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Cabernets Sauvignon, Rolle, Sémillon and Clairette. We bought the property in 2016 and, after three years of work enhanced by the work of architect Olivier Fremont, we transformed it into a place filled with life and conviviality that embodies an art of living centred around wine, art and gastronomy. Yves Robert adopted this idyllic setting surrounded by vines and greenery as the backdrop for the film Le Château de Ma Mère (My Mother's Chateau) based on Marcel Pagnol's novel. We, on the other hand, made it the precious backdrop of a sweet and noble reality.
A timeless place surrounded by vineyards, an oasis of beauty where the art of living is revealed in all its forms. Fourteen rooms and suites are spread between two buildings, one of which is listed as a historical monument. Philippe Pasqua's canvases and monumental sculptures are displayed in the gardens and the rooms of the chateau. A permanent exhibition showcases works by contemporary artists from the Garance Montador gallery. The French garden invites guests to take long walks - it is a pleasure to behold and an ode to the city of Paul Cézanne. The butterfly walk is another exquisite touch. A culinary adventure led by starred chef Matthieu Dupuis Baumal in his three restaurants, the settings for an explosion of flavours, and a splendid wine list including those of the chateau of course. Last but not least, the Valmont spa provides a revitalising interlude in a timeless place.
A horse riding excursion at the foot of the Sainte-Victoire with the Maistre stable which offers an impressive panorama of this Provençal massif. Those who enjoy pétanque can play at the foot of the mountain in the charming village of Tholonet. They can also stop at Chez Thomé nearby which is an authentic bistro in the shade of tall trees. We also encourage our guests to stroll through the pedestrian streets of Aix-en-Provence - rue Fabrot, rue Thiers, rue Papassaudi - and explore the terraces of the picturesque Provençal squares.
The chateau can accommodate weddings and receptions for up to two hundred guests. The offer consists of the 49m² Salon des Orangeries, the reception room with a surface area of 112m², the 200m² restaurant terrace and the 900m² gardens. All catering is provided by chef Matthieu Dupuis Baumal and his team. A total of seventeen bedrooms are available to accommodate guests.
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