Choosing the best hotels in Provence for a countryside stay is mostly a question of geography: the Alpilles around Saint-Rémy and Les Baux, the Luberon hills near Gordes, or the edge of Avignon. A mas (a traditional Provençal farmhouse) or a bastide (a country manor) puts you among olive trees and cypresses rather than on a village square, and that changes how you plan your days. This guide lists seven hotels in Provence France that suit a countryside stay, and explains who each suits and what to check before booking. For the wider picture, start with our Provence travel guide; for the city itself, see the Avignon travel guide.
Mas, Bastide, Château: What You Are Booking
The vocabulary is looser than it sounds. A mas is originally a farmhouse, a bastide a country house, and a château a larger mansion, but in hotel marketing the words overlap and many properties are renovated buildings with a pool, a spa and a restaurant. What matters more than the label is the setting, the distance to the nearest village and whether you need a car to reach dinner. Almost every property in this guide sits a short drive or a walk from a village center, and all of them are easiest with a car. If you are building a longer route, our Paris to Provence road trip shows how a few countryside nights fit into a seven-day itinerary.
Where to Stay: Best Hotels in Provence by Base
The Alpilles hills hold most of the properties here. Saint-Rémy-de-Provence is the livelier base, with a town center within reach of several hotels. Maussane-les-Alpilles is a quieter village with a main street, and Les Baux-de-Provence is a short drive from either. Five of the seven stays below are in this area.
The Luberon is the postcard Provence of hilltop villages, and this list includes Hotel Les Bories & Spa near Gordes as its single pick. If the Luberon is your priority, our Provence guide covers the villages in detail. For Avignon you can stay inside the ramparts and walk to the Palais des Papes, or you can sleep in a garden property just outside and drive in; the countryside option here is Auberge de Cassagne & Spa in Le Pontet.
| Base | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Saint-Rémy and Les Baux | Gardens, spas, Michelin-level dining, easy day trips | Luxury rates; car needed for most hotels |
| Maussane-les-Alpilles | Quiet village stays at mid-range prices | Fewer evening options than Saint-Rémy |
| Gordes area | Countryside estate and views of the Luberon | Few confirmed options; book early |
| Avignon and Le Pontet | Garden stay close to the city, motorway exit nearby | City heat and traffic in summer |
Provence Hotels in the Alpilles: Five Stays
Hotel Château des Alpilles
Hotel Château des Alpilles in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence is a Premium stay in a historic mansion in the heart of an old park, with a swimming pool. You can sleep in a room in the castle, in a suite in the Mas du Cyprès country house or in one of the little houses in the park, and the restaurant serves Provençal specialties. Guests rate it 9.4 from 171 reviews, and it is a good fit for couples who want a quiet, historic setting.
Le Vallon de Valrugues Hotel Spa & Villas
Le Vallon de Valrugues Hotel Spa & Villas is a Premium stay on Chemin Canto Cigalo, about 600 meters from the center of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, with a gourmet restaurant, a bistro, a bar, an outdoor pool and a spa of about 1,800 square feet. Rooms, suites and villas look over the Parc National des Alpilles, and Les Baux-de-Provence is 6.2 miles away. It scores 8.7 from 880 reviews and is the choice for spa facilities plus a walkable route into town.
Val Baussenc, The Originals Relais
Val Baussenc, The Originals Relais is a Mid-Range stay in an authentic Provençal house in the village of Maussane-les-Alpilles, with a seasonal heated pool, a sauna, a hammam and a fitness center, and a restaurant serving fresh, local and seasonal produce. Les Baux is 3.7 miles away, and the Roman ruins of Glanum and Montmajour Abbey are within a 20-minute drive. Guests rate it 9.1 from 254 reviews.
Castillon des Baux
Castillon des Baux is a Mid-Range stay on Avenue de la Vallée des Baux in Maussane-les-Alpilles, with a seasonal outdoor pool, a sun terrace, free private parking, an electric vehicle charging station and a daily continental buffet breakfast. Rooms have garden or pool views and soundproofing. It scores 9.2 from 284 reviews and is a sensible base for visitors who want the Alpilles at a gentler price than Saint-Rémy.
Hôtel Les Magnanarelles
Hôtel Les Magnanarelles is a Budget to Mid-Range, pet-friendly stay in the heart of Alpilles Regional Park, with an outdoor pool with sun loungers and contemporary rooms with views of the mountains, terrace or pool. The restaurant is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, which matters for dinner planning. It holds an 8.1 rating from 290 reviews and is the most economical choice among the best hotels in Provence on this list, so read recent reviews on room condition.
Hotels in Provence France: The Luberon and Avignon
Hotel Les Bories & Spa
Hotel Les Bories & Spa is a Premium stay on an estate of olive trees, cypresses, oaks and lavender on the road to Sénanque Abbey, five minutes by car from the center of Gordes. It has a heated outdoor pool measuring 66 by 66 feet, tennis courts, panoramic views of the Luberon and a gastronomic restaurant with a bistrot. Guests rate it 9.0 from 334 reviews, and it is the best-confirmed Luberon option, so book early for summer.
Auberge de Cassagne & Spa
Auberge de Cassagne & Spa is a Premium stay in a Provençal house with a garden in a quiet spot in Le Pontet, 2.5 miles from Avignon exit 23 of the A7 motorway. It has a gourmet restaurant, massages on site for an additional cost and luxuriously decorated rooms and suites. It scores 8.7 from 282 reviews and combines a countryside setting with quick access to the city, which makes it a practical base for days in Avignon.
Which of These Provence Hotels Should You Pick?
Spa and a long dinner: Le Vallon de Valrugues Hotel Spa & Villas or Auberge de Cassagne & Spa. Quiet village at a lower price: Val Baussenc, The Originals Relais, Castillon des Baux or Hôtel Les Magnanarelles. Luxury in a historic park: Hotel Château des Alpilles. Luberon countryside: Hotel Les Bories & Spa.
Practical Tips for Countryside Stays
Where to stay matters less than how you move between stays, so plan transport first.
Rent a car, because most hotels in Provence France are estates outside walking range of a train station. For how cards and cash work in France, see our guide to money in France. Ask about parking and about shuttle times. Many pools are listed as seasonal, so a spring or autumn visit may mean a closed pool; confirm the dates in the listing. Restaurants at estates often open evenings only, or close on set days, as Hôtel Les Magnanarelles shows, so book dinner when you book the room. If you are choosing between regions, our comparison of the Loire Valley and Provence sets the two against each other.
Best Hotels in Provence FAQ
What are the best hotels in Provence for a countryside stay?
For estate-style stays, the strongest options are Hotel Les Bories & Spa near Gordes, Hotel Château des Alpilles in Saint-Rémy and Le Vallon de Valrugues Hotel Spa & Villas. For lower prices, look at Maussane-les-Alpilles, where Val Baussenc, The Originals Relais and Castillon des Baux are listed.
Do I need a car to stay in a Provence mas or bastide?
In practice, yes. Most countryside hotels are a short drive from the nearest village, although Le Vallon de Valrugues Hotel Spa & Villas sits about 600 meters from the center of Saint-Rémy. Check the listing before relying on it.
Is Saint-Rémy or the Luberon better for a first Provence trip?
Saint-Rémy and the Alpilles give more hotel choice and easy access to Les Baux and Avignon. The Luberon suits travelers who prioritize hilltop villages and are happy with a longer drive.
Can I stay in the countryside and still visit Avignon?
Yes. Auberge de Cassagne & Spa in Le Pontet is 2.5 miles from Avignon exit 23 of the A7, and several Alpilles hotels are a drive away.
Are the pools open all year?
Not always. Several listings, such as Val Baussenc, The Originals Relais and Castillon des Baux, describe seasonal pools, so confirm dates for your stay and ask what is heated.
Which Provence hotels are best for a budget?
Hôtel Les Magnanarelles is the most economical among these hotels in Provence France offers, while Castillon des Baux is a Mid-Range alternative in the same village.
Bottom Line
For the best hotels in Provence in a countryside setting, base yourself in the Alpilles unless the Luberon is non-negotiable, book a car and pick one estate for dinner, as most hotels in Provence France reward a slower pace. Confirm pool and restaurant dates, read recent reviews and compare current rates before you commit.
