Not far from Aix-en-Provence in the south of France, the Château La Coste is a popular destination for wine and art lovers. This expansive organic wine estate is dotted with major works of art by the likes of Ai Weiwei and Alexander Calder – not to mention architecture by Tadao Ando (the art center) and Jean Nouvel (the wine cellar).
In big news for travelers to Provence, the Château La Coste recently opened an all-suite hotel called Villa La Coste. This boutique hotel has a restaurant overseen by three-Michelin-starred chef Gérald Passédat of Le Petit Nice in Marseille. Passédat has developed a devoted following for his Mediterranean cuisine; he is a champion of sustainably sourced seafood. His restaurants now include a number of eateries at the MuCEM (Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations) in Marseille, along with a bistro called Albertine, named to honor his mother.
Louison is Passédat’s first restaurant outside Marseille, and his focus isn’t just seafood, but also the bounty from the surrounding Provencal countryside. The domaine’s vegetable garden provides most of the organic produce for the kitchen, its beehives provide the honey, while herbs are foraged from the hillsides.
Decorated in an elegant minimalist style with custom furniture by Vietnamese company District Eight, the 28 suites have private terraces with views over the Luberon. Ten of the suites at Villa La Coste have their own private pools. Along with wine tastings and “Art and Architecture” walks through the domaine, private yoga and pilates classes are available. There’s also a library, bar, and spa. For more information, visit http://www.villalacoste.com/en/home
