Group Sibuet - Romantic French Hotels, Part 1

                                                    image                                                                                                                  

    Jocelyne Sibuet, author of the popular decorating tome,  "A French  Country Home, Style and Entertaining," has been called the Martha Stewart of France.  But while Martha  concentrates her efforts  around the home,  Sibuet's forte is hotels.   Both Sibuet and her husband Jean-Louis hail from families in the hospitality business, so their interest in hotels came naturally.   In business now for over twenty years, their first effort was located in the west, high in the French Alps, where they renovated and restored a neglected property.  Today, they own a number of small, boutique hotels in the ski resort town of Megeve.   About eight years ago, a chance trip to the South of France, opened their eyes to the possibilities of a new venture, and they now own two hotels in the region. It would be a dream of a lifetime to experience each one of their hotels for a week or how about for a month - hey, as long we are dreaming, let's dream big!   To start, today, we'll visit La Bastide de Marie, the couple's first foray in hosting guests in the same area that Peter Mayle immortalized in A Year in Provence.  La Bastide, with 12 guest rooms,  is located in a centuries old farmhouse in Menerbes - just 24 miles east of Avignon in the Luberon Mountains.   The property is 37 acres, much of which is comprised of the Sibuet's vineyard that produces their label Domaine de Marie.   The atmosphere of the hotel is rural to be sure, but definitely not rustic.  Jocelyne's deft touch is everywhere:  from the fresh flowers, to the lush towels, to the linen napkins,  to the votive candles - the atmosphere is heady with the scents and sights of the Provencal lifestyle.   The Sibuet's goal is to make their guests feel as if they are actually at home here, that they belong here, rather than they are just visiting.

     

    Jocelyne is not formally trained as an interior designer, yet La Bastide's interiors are an integral part of its charm.  Eschewing the popular Provencal bright yellow, red and blue Pierre Deux mini prints, La Bastide de Marie is a vision in griege, that perfect shade somewhere between gray and beige with just a hint of green.  The interiors are real.  There is no faux country French here, and certainly, there is no Americanization of that style, as some other boutique hotels in the area are.  The rooms do not appear to be staged, rather they seem to be rooms you might find in a private home, an effect Jocelyne has strived hard for.   Each room is different, as is each bath.  And each was thoughtfully pulled together by Sibuet who searched the countryside looking for  furniture in the nearby antique markets.  The ever present linen, in that wonderful griege color was culled from fabric houses such as Pierre Frey,  Canovas, and local artist Edith Mezard.  The rooms each have their owns  names inspired by their fabrics:  Gris de Sauge and  Miel d'Oranger - to name a few.   Jean-Louis was in charge of the restoration of the farmhouse and the renovation took just over a year to complete.  Guests have their choice of staying in the main hotel or in one of the two outbuildings located slightly further away.  There is a spa on the property, as well as two swimming pools.  Day trips include visits into town or to nearby areas such as L'Isle sur la Sorgue, the world famous country antique market or to nearby St. Remy.  Not surprisingly, Jocelyne reports that most guests prefer to stay put and revel in the quiet, lazy days of farm life.

     

    image

    The nearby town of Menerbes - the closest neighbors to La Bastide de Marie.  Who is Marie?  The Sibuet's  daughter!

     

    image

    Jocelyne, the French Martha Stewart, and Jean-Louis on the grounds of the Bastide.

     

     

    image

    Gravel roads to the hotel are lined with tall cypress trees and lavender in the summer.  The Bastide is open spring through fall, and is closed for the winter.

     

    image

    An aerial shot of the ancient farmhouse, built of native limestone with terra cotta tile roofs.  Here you can see neatly planted rows of the vineyard that produces Domaine de Marie.

     

    image 

    An overhead shot of the Bastide.  The  vineyard surrounds the hotel on all sides.

     

     image

    This large window leads to the area that was once the barn and today is the main lobby.

     

    image

    The same view,  taken in fall - isn't this gorgeous?

     

     image

    One of the pools, located inside the walled area next to the former barn.

     

    image

    Another shot of the romantic walled swimming pool, built to resemble a grotto.

     

    image

    The hotel has two main swimming pools.  Here, is the second one which terraces down from a fountain.

     

    image

    The hotel has its own spa, but massages can take place outside under the trees!  Nice!     

     

    image 

    A  dining terrace overlooks  the vineyards.  The tables are set with the white and griege linen cloths that Jocelyne so loves.  Atmospheric candles are set about  in glass votives  and in lanterns.      I love the curved black iron furniture.

                                                                                                                         

     image

    Past the terrace, chairs   lined with scalloped matelasse, are set up on the lawn.  Notice the baskets and votives - details of Jocelyne's that make La Bastide de Marie unique and authentic.

     

     image

    The large lobby, or living area as it is called, was originally part of the barn.  The huge fireplace is a natural gathering place.  The upstairs library is reflected in the mirror above the mantel.

     

      

    image

    A close up of the massive stone fireplace in the lobby area.

     

     

    image

    The staircase in the lobby leads to a library.

     

     image

    A closer view of the stone staircase and library.   The floors and stairs are native French limestone - to die for!

     

    image

    The large window, once most likely the barn door, looks out onto the dining terrace and the countryside beyond. 

     

    image

    Lounge chairs are set up in front of the lobby's big window.  The shelves are filled with antique objet d'art and old books that Jocelyne collected for the Bastide.

     

     image

      Another living area in the lobby, surrounded by antique chairs upholstered in linen.

     

    image

    Lunch is served outdoors, on shaded tables covered with white table linens and baskets of fresh herbs from the garden.  The kitchen is at the back through the limestone arch.

     

     

    image 

    Setting the table:    Jocelyne designed the hotel uniforms with their long linen aprons, khaki skirts and crisp white shirts.   Notice the scalloped tray that hold the napkins - darling!  No detail is too small for Jocelyne.

     

    image

    The kitchen, where guests are welcome to come and take cooking lessons.

     

     image

    Tables are set up in the kitchen for meals.  Beautiful antique chairs surround a long, wood table.

     

    image

    The dining room.  A console with scalloped sides holds a sculpture and lit candles.  Potted rosemary substitutes for fresh flowers on the tables.

     

    image

    At night, tables are lit by candlelight in another area.

     

     image

    Each room in the main Bastide is decorated differently.  Here, a native boutis covers the iron canopy bed, draped with linen.  The floor is terra cotta pavers.  A wainscot is painted a rich persimmon. 

     

    image

    The other side of the bedroom, showing a beautiful French settee sitting under the oval mirror.

     

     image

    This bathroom has two large vessel sinks.  No cabinet doors - the griege linen covers the pipes!

     

     image

    This suite has an iron canopy bed, with linen curtains.  A writing desk steps in for a  night table.

     

    image

    The other side of the suite, showing it's own fireplace and slipcovered sofa with seagrass rug - my favorites!

     

     

    image

    The suite's bathroom is set behind paneled walls - open at the ceiling.  Linen curtains substitute for doors.

     

    image

    This room is decorated with a toile inserted wood headboard.  Linen curtains hang from the bed's corona.  The bath is behind the half wall to the left.

     

     image

    A vignette in one of the guest rooms.

     

    image

    This bathroom is below, reached by a set of winding limestone stairs - how romantic!  To let in light, a small window was carved out of the stone next to the tub.

     

    image

    Red toile and white and griege linen decorates this room.

     

    image

    An antique mirror and claw foot tub are the highlights of this bath.  The wainscot is faux marble.

     

     image

    This chicly uniformed employee carries a basket of towels to the Bastide's outlying building - the private guest house located off the property.

     

     image

    The two outbuildings, pictured above, further away from the main Bastide are available for let - for those who desire even more privacy than the 12 room main hotel provides!

     

     

    image

    The staff, bring linens to the outbuildings in authentic french wicker baskets.

     

    image

    Gorgeous lavender lines the walkway to the private outbuildings.  Just beautiful!!

     

     

    image

    The outbuildings come with their own pool.  Ahhhhh.

     

     image

    The main living area of one of the outbuildings.  Each of the two outbuildings holds 10 guests.  The limestone stairs lead to guest rooms.

     

    image

    A dining room  in one of the outbuildings.   Guests who stay here  may have their meals delivered to their room, or they may join the other guests in the main Bastide.  Each outbuilding has it's own kitchen.   At the hotel, all meals are included in the room price, except for lunch. 

     

    image 

    This living area has bookcases painted gray - here all the books have white or cream paper covers.  I love that look!

     

    image

    One of the bedrooms in the outbuilding. 

     

    image

    Another bedroom - with a view towards the bathroom.

     

    image

    One the bathrooms in the outbuildings.

     

    image 

    The map showing the towns where  Group Sibuet has hotels.  La Bastide de Marie is located in Menerbes, in the south.

     

    I hope you've enjoyed our virtual visit to the South of France!  Hopefully, one day, we can all go in person.  Be sure to visit the web site for La Bastide de Marie here.   And to order Jocelyne Sibuet's book, go here

    Source URL: http://interiordesignblogz.blogspot.com/2008/09/group-sibuet-romantic-french-hotels_2419.html
    Visit Interior Design Blogs for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

Blog Archive