In 2014, Jean-Brice Garella discovered a superb, abandoned bastide on the outskirts of Aix, surrounded by a large park. He fell in love immediately, but it would take him five years to restore this 17th-century villa to the highest standards, with the help of the best craftsmen and teams from Bâtiments de France... Right from the entrance, the tone is set with a succession of small salons where each décor tells a story. The wallpapers are by Zuber, the porcelain by Moustiers, and the family portraits along the grand staircase span generations, from the 18th century to the 1920s. The 34 luxurious rooms and suites each offer a unique ambience, with large frescoes and velvet armchairs. Another nugget is Pierre Gagnaire's Âma Terra restaurant. Executive chef Thierry Karakachian's dishes are served in the winter garden-style dining room. The delights can also be savoured on the large terrace, cooled by a beautiful fountain, just a stone's throw from the 29 m-long swimming pool.