5 hotels that will make you love art

Two are nestled in the garrigues, another in the heart of the Loire Valley, yet another in the old town of Montpellier. What these five hotels have in common is that they offer their guests much more than just room and board: they offer them the chance to live among the works for the duration of a singular stay, sometimes even with the privilege of meeting the artists during conferences or a simple shared dinner. Enough to make you want to put down your suitcases as soon as possible for a rare moment of intimacy with art and artists....

The Mecca of contemporary art: Villa La Coste

Designed in 2011 by Irish artist Patrick McKillen, Villa La Coste is an extraordinary place: some 200 hours of vines studded with some 40 works by the world's leading artists and architects. Right from the entrance, the tone is set with a raw concrete building by Tadao Ando housing the reception desk and bookshop, and, just a stone's throw away, a pond guarded by a giant spider by Louise Bourgeois.Nearby, Jean Nouvel's corrugated-steel winery and works by Frank Gehry, Richard Serra, Sophie Calle and Paul Matisse (Henri's grandson) can be spotted. Not to mention, at the top of the hill, a chapel restored by Tadao Ando and flanked by a glass cross by Jean-Michel Othoniel. Lovers will want to extend their visit with a stay in one of the 28 sumptuous suite-villas, decorated with light wood, rough stone and huge picture windows. The food and beverage service is on a par with this exceptional site, with several tables, including that of Hélène Darroze. An immersive experience unique in France, to be enjoyed (at least) once in your life!

• Rooms from 900 euros. 2750 route de la Cride, 13610 Le Puy Sainte-Réparade
• https://www.villalacoste.com/?utm_source=MyBusiness

©AndrewPattman, ©Richard Haughton

Art and nature: Le Bois des Chambres Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire

One of the most visited estates in the Val-de-Loire, the Château de Chaumont owes its success not only to its sublime Renaissance architecture, but also to its (now) famous Garden Festival, led by its remarkable director, Chantal Colleu-Dumond. In addition to the presence of some thirty landscape gardeners, who create their own plots according to a set theme (this year, the resilient garden), the site organizes its "Saison d'art", unveiling a series of works of art in a variety of media.Saison d'art", unveiling its permanent collection and organizing major international exhibitions (Alechinsky, Lee Ufan, Fabrice Hyber in 2023). What's more, the estate recently added a magnificent hotel designed by architect Loïc Julienne, under the artistic direction of Patrick Bouchain.Designed in osmosis with the site, the rooms and suites (39) are extended by cabins on stilts, and the huge beds are covered with generous quilts, all decorated with splendid floral arrangements. Don't miss Grand Chaume, the restaurant nestled under a reed canopy, where you can savor the exquisite cuisine imagined by chef Guillaume Foucault.

• Double room from 180 euros. Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire. 41150 Chaumont-sur-Loire. Tel 02 36 65 84 00
• https://domaine-chaumont.fr/fr

©EricSander

A hotel and a foundation: Hôtel Richer de Belleval

Inaugurated in 2021 and Relais & Châteaux accredited, this unique 5-star hotel in the heart of Montpellier is housed in a sumptuous 17th-century listed building. The 20 rooms and suites exude an elegance that spans the ages: original parquet floors and carpets by Christian Lacroix, antique frescoes and Flos lamps... Lovers of art and heritage come here for the refinement of the surroundings, the exquisite cuisine of the Pourcel brothers and, above all, for the works of art scattered around the hotel. A fresco in Indian ink by Abdelkader Benchamma in the lobby, a gilded wooden ceiling by Marlène Mocquet, a lively, colorful boudoir by Olympe Racana Weller and the bar l'Élytre, decorated with a set of mosaics, are just some of the works of art on display.This rare venue also features a number of exhibitions organized by the Fondation d'entreprise GGL, a partner in the project.

• Rooms from 190 euros. Place de la Canourgue 34000 Montpellier. Tel: 04 99 66 18 18
• https://www.hotel-richerdebelleval.com/

©JérômeMondière

Art and fine wines: Commanderie de Peyrassol, Bastide de la Rouvière

Just 30 km from Château Mentone, the Commanderie de Peyrassol will appeal to all those who love art and wine. This 1,000-hectare vineyard is home to 70 works of art, which can be explored along three different paths, unveiling monumental sculptures by Daniel Buren, Nikki de Saint-Phalle, Lee Ufan, Bernar Venet and Joana Vasconcelos. Nearby, several buildings house the most fragile pieces and remarkable temporary exhibitions, such as the one by Belgian artist Berlinde de Bruyckere this autumn. For those who wish to extend their visit, the site has created a number of beautiful Provencal-style guest rooms, divided between the Commanderie and the old Rouvière farmhouse.

• Rooms start at 132 euros. Commanderie de Peyrassol, 83340 Flassans sur Issole. Tel: 04 94 69 71 02
• http://www.peyrassol.com/

©DB-ADAGP, ©OlivierMongeMyop

With artists in residence: Château de la Haute Borde

Built in the XIXᵉ century, this château was an artists' residence before being converted into a hotel, then sinking into oblivion in the 1970s. Fortunately, it has been brought back to life thanks to the energy of Céline Barrère, Cécile Simon and Violette Platteau. The three friends have elegantly restored the five guest rooms with a focus on sustainable, eco-friendly materials - bathrooms combining reclaimed bricks and marble, light fittings and accessories designed by top designers. They have enriched the 10-hectare park with an organic vegetable garden and a large swimming pool in the shade of tall trees. Last but not least, they have revived the site's artistic tradition by organizing exhibitions and artist residencies, as well as workshops run by the residents.

• Rooms from 200 euros. 6rue La Haute Bordé, 41150 Rilly-sur-Loire. Tel + 33 6 68 50 27 48
• http://www.c-h-b.fr/

©Senne&Eefje

And also...

• Domaine des Etangs. In the heart of the Charente, a sumptuous estate with a few luxurious rooms, a gourmet restaurant and a park of works by Richard Long, Giuseppe Penone and Ugo Rondinone.
  Rooms from 600 euros. Hôtel du Domaine des Etangs, 16310 Massiac. Tel: 05 45 61 85 00
• Fontevraud Abbey. This former monastic city welcomes around a hundred artists in residence each year and organizes numerous contemporary art exhibitions. It also houses a 54-room hotel in the former cells, offering guests the rare privilege of discovering the abbey outside visiting hours.
  Rooms from 92 euros, 38 rue Saint-Jean de l'Habit. 49590 Fontevraud-l'abbaye. Tel: 02 46 46 10 10
• Paris Drawing Hôtel. Designed by the director of the Drawing now art fair, this hotel is a veritable showcase for contemporary drawing, with artists composing their works in situ, not only in the common areas but also in the 48 rooms and suites...
  Rooms from 208 euros. 17 rue de Richelieu 75001 Paris. Tel: 01 73 62 11 11