Mas Candille, A Different French Riviera

Hotels and Spas

Boutique hotels in the south have something in common with the marmot and the Pyrenees brown bear: as winter approaches, they hibernate! Fortunately, a few spots forgo this extended slumber. This is the case, for example, with the excellent Mas Candille…

By Jerôme Dumur - Photos Le Mas Candille - November 15, 2011

Located on the edge of Mougins, 200 meters at the most from the Old Town, the Mas Candille is only 15 minutes by car from Cannes . Yet, this five star establishment doesn’t reflect at all the glitz and glamour that invades the French Riviera in general, and the Croisette in particular. No, this Relais & Châteaux hotel prefers completely other values: tranquility, nature, and discretion. It cultivates them in the shadow of a big park of over five hectares, wooded with cypresses, and hundred-year-old olive trees . Lost in this sea of green, the rooms are spread over three buildings,

each with their own style, almost as if three generations of the same family had built their abodes on this property.

To begin with, there’s the original farmhouse, dating back to the 18th century, a stronghold of the French revolutionary army the Sans Culottes and Napoleon’s soldiers, who camped here when the Emperor, on his way back from Elba, embarked upon his 100 Days Campaign. In great historical irony, the building today is filled with subtle hints of Old England. This is due to a few details like the engravings, the wood paneling, the upholsteries, and the antique furniture… classic, but chic. A few steps

from the farmhouse is the Bastide. With its second-hand furniture and knick-knacks, it shares the same “gentleman farmer” style of its cousin. But its rooms are more low-key, light-filled, spacious, and also more modern. This touch of modernity is even more apparent in the top-of-the-line suites of the Villa Candille; luxury apartments marrying exposed stonework with contemporary décor.

Once you’ve chosen your cocoon, all that’s left is to enjoy the hospitality. Settle in at the bar, in a big sofa facing the monumental chimney, entirely covered with ceramics. Relax in the spa, this Zen oasis that will make you forget the rest of the world for the duration of a massage, a treatment, or a sauna. When the sky’s

blue, try out the little pool, or the neighboring Jacuzzi. What a lovely snub to the winter is this 32°C bath facing the snow-covered mountains! And finally, enjoy Serge Gouloumès’ Michelin-starred cuisine. Tempted? Well, you can also go behind the scenes for a cooking class. On the program: the local market, preparation then sampling of the dishes. Proof that pleasure knows no season.

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Discover

Le Mas Candille
Hotel-Restaurant-Spa
Boulevard Clément Rebuffel 06250 MOUGINS
04 92 28 43 43 www.lemascandille.com

To visit

A few steps from the hotel, the Old Town of Mougins shows off its picturesque narrow alleyways, tasty restaurants, and art galleries, more or less inspired by its ghosts: Dior, Churchill, Cocteau, Eluard, Piaf and many others who stayed for a long time in the town. The highlight of the tour is the photography museum and its wonderful permanent collection, homage to Picasso. Here, the brilliant Spaniard is captured by the most important photographers of his time.

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