Located in the heart Les Baux-de-Provence village is the Louis Jou Exhibition. For those visiting Benvengudo Hotel with an interest in the Renaissance and the rich heritage of Les Baux, the exhibition of Louis Jou is a must see attraction. Louis Jou (1881-1968) was an artist, engraver, illustrator, typographer and talented edi­tor. Louis Jou’s reputation stems from works that combine crea­tive power with perfect execution. Located in Les Baux village, a 30 minute walk from Benvengudo Hotel and open from April to September, the Louis Jou exhibition has much to offer:Louis Jou’s studio – No admission charge (Open April to September) Louis Jou Museum – Visits by appointment. Events include Exhibitions, conferences, bookbinding competitions, Courses, Engraving and printing, engraving in stone and bookbinding.The Hôtel Renaissance Jean de Brion A master Typographer, Louis Jou is a man held close to the hearts of the people of Les Baux-de-Provence. He faithfully restored the magnificent Renaissance Jean de Brion Mansion in the 1920’s and, in doing so, played his part in the conservation and revival of the village that lived through years of struggle at the hands of the Lords of Baux. The Louis Jou Foundation We can perhaps see where Jou gained his inspiration from given that he was a friend of painters and poets Andre Derain (co-founder of Fauvism), Pablo Picasso, Guillaume Apolli­naire and Andre Suarès. In 1939 Jou decided to set up his studio in Les Baux-de-Provence. Between the manual presses and the sets of letters created by the artist, you can see the world of typography and édition d’art. In a nutshell, Louis Jou was a passionate artist who had a major influence on contemporary book design. Due to his contribution to the village, Jou has been honoured with a museum and studio at the site of the Jean de Brion Mansion. Displayed at this museum are some of his finest works; furniture, collections of ancient books, engravings by Dürer and Goya, paintings, sculptures and ceramics, all in the intimacy of the 6 rooms of the Jean de Brion Mansion. A Tour of the Mansion is available and can be followed by a visit to the workshops, which contain the presses used by Louis Jou during his time as Master typographer, engraver, printer and publisher. A Final Word on Louis Jou Louis Jou was a creative artist influenced by some of the great printers of the 15th and 16th centuries. He aimed to enrich tradition by creating his own typefaces, composing type by hand and designing the page layout of many publications.  He illustrated pages with woodcuttings and printed them using a hand press. Poet and publisher Pierre Seghers best described him as “the architect of books and Les Baux”. Benvengudo Hotel is a 4 star luxury boutique hotel located in Les Baux-de-Provence. Set in an authentic Provencal country house, its idyllic location offers a perfect base from which to explore this remarkable region in the South of France. Thanks for reading  

The vineyards of Les Baux-de-Provence are set in the rugged terrain of the Alpilles close to Benvengudo Hotel. The wine produced here is rich in diversity and character; whether it’s red, white or rosé. Visiting the Provence vineyards is an ideal way to learn about the heritage of Les Baux-de-Provence whilst tasting the wine and appreciating the climate and surrounding landscape.     Care for the Environment The diversity of the Provence wines can also be defined by the multi-faceted characteristics of the soil in which the vineyards grow as well as the passion that exudes from the vignerons. The Baux-de-Provence Vignerons have been a recognised association since 1995 when they were awarded an “Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée” or Registered Designation of Origin. The vignerons love for their land is embodied through their mutual determination to preserve the environment where their vineyards grow and, because of this, care for the environment is of paramount importance. A.O.C Les Baux-de-Provence wines and their grapes are grown using organic or biodynamic methods, with over 85% of their geographical area using these methods. Most vignerons have been demanding the inclusion of these characteristic in the decrees that have regulated the registered A.O.C for more than a decade. The Mas de la Dame Vineyards “Our vineyards in this part of the Alpilles grow on a very well drained soil formed from eroded argilo-calcareous soil, mingling a harmonious balance with the surrounding garrigue, a blend of wild aromatic Provencal herbs.” Located just 5km from Benvengudo Hotel are the Mas de la Dame Vineyards. Mentioned in the predictions of Nostradamus, painted by Van Gogh, and referred to by Simone de Beauvoir, these vineyards boast a rich history. For four generations the Mas de la Dame Vineyards have been producing wine and olive oil and in recent years, organic AOC wines, of which there are white, rosé and red. By their own admission, the environment in which their famous vines grow is exceptional and to preserve these conditions, the vignerons at Mas de la Dame practise organic agriculture. At the Mas de la Dame Vineyards, visitors are welcomed all year round with both wine tasting and wine for sale in the cellar on a daily basis. The Mas Sainte Berthe Vineyards “40 hectares nestled at the foot of the Baux rock formation in the heart of the celebrated Baux Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée.” Located just over 2km from Benvengudo Hotel are the Mas Sainte Berthe Vineyards. What is now St. Berthe was once known as the “la maison aux champs” or the house in the field, then the property of Lord de Mollières. The deeds of the notary, Maître Salomé, mention of a chapel in the process of construction in 1539, which adjoined the main building of this former farm. This chapel was dedicated to Ste Berthe, the patron saint of fever victims and became a place of pilgrimage on the 1st of January and the first Sunday in May for those hoping to find relief from fevers. It was in 1950 when the David family acquired the Berthe estate and, with their passion for wine, gradually began replacing the aged apricot trees with vines. In 1960 the planting of grapevines commenced, but it wasn’t until 1976 that the Ste Berthe estate opened its cellar and began the process of marketing its wine. The Mas Sainte Berthe Vineyards are open every day and guided tours can be arranged with advanced booking. Benvengudo Hotel is a 4 star luxury boutique hotel located in Les Baux-de-Provence. Set in an authentic Provencal country house, its idyllic location offers a perfect base from which to explore this remarkable region in the South of France. Thanks for reading  

  For plant and gardening enthusiasts visiting Benvengudo Hotel, Les Baux-de-Provence has several events that will provide you with a unique vision of southern French living and horticulture. The ‘Maisons & Jardins du Sud’ Exhibition The ‘Maisons & Jardins du Sud’ exhibition (Houses and Gardens of the South) is located less than 40 minutes from Benvengudo Hotel via car, on the Route de Marseille in Avignon. The event showcases the current trends and styles in southern French living and provides practical and design inspiration for those looking to build or update their own home or garden. The exhibition, which will take place from the 13th – 15th March 2015, celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Over its 10 year history, this beautiful show has evolved and adapted to respond to demands for a public event that also promotes authentic and sustainable living. The ‘Maisons & Jardins du Sud’ Exhibition encapsulates the spirit of Southern France, and here you will discover the finest examples of garden art, as well as environmentally friendly products and materials, new technologies. This event brings together a large number knowledgeable professionals within the 6000 sq m exhibition space, all presenting the best of their products and expertise. Exhibitors includes garden designers, landscape architects, nurserymen, decorators, interior and exterior planners, craftsmen, pool care specialists and interior designers. The ‘Plantes Rares et Jardin Naturel’ Festival The ‘Plantes Rares et Jardin Naturel’ or Rare Plants and Natural Gardens is located around an hour’s drive away from Benvengudo Hotel and will be hosted on Saturday 18th of April. The Rare Plants and Natural Gardens festival takes on a new theme each year when spring comes round and is a firm favourite with plant lovers, enthusiasts and professionals. This is a ‘must see’ festival and is regarded as the best plant festival in South East France. As with ‘Maisons & Jardins du Sud’, it combines environmental concerns with teaching and conservation. The festival was set up in memory of the naturalist Jean-Henri Fabre, whose house and garden in Serignan are now open to the public having gone through a program of restoration. The large park in the local commune of Sérignan-du-Comtat will house collections from hundreds of nurseries from all over France. Specialist growers attending the festival will showcase irises, old roses, succulents and peonies, along with rare bulbs from all five continents, carnivorous and Mediterranean plants. The festival will also host specialist workshops and lectures to include botanical tours, artistic and scientific workshops for adults and children.  Organisers aim to create fun filled program with a festive atmosphere. Benvengudo Hotel is a 4 star luxury boutique hotel located in Les Baux-de-Provence. Set in an authentic Provencal country house, its idyllic location offers a perfect base from which to explore this remarkable region in the South of France. Thanks for reading

The rich and fertile hills surrounding Benvengudo Hotel are home to some of the finest olive groves in Provence. Comparable to a fine wine, the olives grown here have a bouquet, a colour, a flavour and elegance that captures the essence of the surrounding Vallée des Baux-de-Provence. Benvengudo’s own olives are grown at the hotel and then taken to the local mill where they are processed into olive oil; the same oil is used in the Benvengudo Hotel restaurant. The AOC Labels What is perhaps most unique about the olive grown in Les Baux is that the Provence boasts three separate AOC (appellation d’origine controlée) labels. The appellation d’origine contrôlée, which translates as “controlled designation of origin”, is the French certification granted to certain French geographical indications for wines, cheeses, butters, and other agricultural products. Eight regions in France – mainly in Provence – enjoy an AOC status, which was awarded by the European Union and guarantees an oil’s geographical origins and strict conditions of production. These eight regions are the Vallée des Baux de Provence, Aix en Provence, Haute Provence, Provence, Nice, Nîmes, Nyons and Corsica. The label on a bottle of Provençal olive oil is also likely to state the name of the château or domaine, but not the year. Put simply, olive oil doesn’t improve with age as wine does and should be consumed quickly once the bottle has been opened. Furthermore, as a quality indicator, the Vallee des Baux olive oil has a very low free acidity of 0.05 % (to get the “extra-virgin olive oil” label the maximum is 0.8%) The three “Vallée des Baux-de-Provence” AOC labels for black crus­hed olives, pricked olives and olive oil were awarded on August 31, 1997, and demonstrate the pure, unique nature of the fruits from the olive-trees of the Alpine foothills. The Olive Oil of Les Baux-de-Provence Provence olives are unique because of the fruity flavour of the oils they produce. The olive cultivars of Aglandau, Salonenque, Grossane and Verdale Bouches du Rhone produce a typically fruity green oil in which there are aromas of fresh hay and cut grass, apple, fresh hazelnut, kernel, raw artichoke and tomato leaf. The varying proportions of these varieties and the miller jiffy allow a range of flavours in the same tone. In comparison the oils of the Vallée des Baux de Provence have a moderate bitterness and pungency. Those varieties of olive in the black fruity typicality give an oil that is characterized by aromas of candied olives, black olives, cocoa, truffle, mushroom, cooked artichokes and sourdough bread and produce a sweet flavour free of bitterness and with little or no pungency. Fruity green or black oils are obtained with the same olives. The difference is due to the time of maturation of the olives between collection and crushing. A fruity green oil is obtained with olives picked in the morning and processed within 24 hours. A black fruity oil is obtained by maturing the olives 4 or 5 days between collection and crushing. An experienced producer will be able to obtain the optimum quality of oil in both varieties. Vallée des Baux-de-Provence is one of only two French appellation to have two fruity olive oils protected by AOC guidelines. Located less than 4km down from Benvengudo on Les Route de Baux is Moulin de la Coquille, an olive grower and oil producer that works with the Aglandau, Salonenque, Grossane and Verdale olives to produce their rich extra virgin oil characterized by a fruity green flavour. Benvengudo Hotel is a 4 star luxury boutique hotel located in Les Baux-de-Provence. Set in an authentic Provencal country house, its idyllic location offers a perfect base from which to explore this remarkable region in the South of France. Thanks for reading

Les Baux-de-Provence is a golfers paradise, with many different courses all located with an hour’s drive from Benvengudo Hotel. Located closest to Benvengudo are the Golf de Servanes and Golf du Domaine de Manville courses. Golf de Servanes At the foot of the Alpilles Mountains is the Servanes course. Just 12km away from Benvengudo, its blend of scents, nature and sunshine creating a unique ambiance for any golf lover. If you envisage a golfing holiday in the picturesque region of Provence, then a stay at the Benvengudo Hotel may be perfect for you. We offer fantastic deals for two or the whole family, which cater to all skillsets and gives you the opportunity to choose a golf formula adapted especially for you. 18 holes green fee passes or golf lessons can also be included in your golf vacation package with Benvengudo Designed by T. Sprecher & G. Watin, the Servanes course sits at the heart of the Provence, close to St Remy and Les Baux-de-Provence. It’s highly accessible being just 30 minutes from the TGV station at Avignon and 45 minutes from Marseille Airport. The services and facilities at Servanes are also great with 34 practice bays, including 4 covered and 20 bays on grass. It also boasts a training bunker, putting green, pitching green and their pro golfer Frédéric Fogeron. The Servanes also offers trolley hire, buggy hire and club hire. Golf du Domaine de Manville Located within 3km or Benvengudo Hotel is the Domaine de Manville golf course. Manville has a 18 hole golf course designed by renowned architect and lands­caper Thierry Sprecher. The course combines technicality and game attraction in an eco-responsible and respectful way to produce a truly special course. Like Servanes, the Manville course also cater to all skill levels. Course elements echo the former agricultural use of the land and region – geometric bunkers supported by stone walls, the shape of the greens, grassy rather than sandy bunkers on key holes, fairways bordered like former fields with olive groves and water as obstacles etc. The Manville course is balanced and fluid and evokes many different sensations. As a good technical course with great diversity in the design of each hole and at 5508 meters long, it suits every playing level whether you are looking for a challenge or a steady practise session, Manville is ideal. Benvengudo Hotel is a 4 star luxury boutique hotel located in Les Baux-de-Provence. Set in an authentic Provencal country house, its idyllic location offers a perfect base from which to explore this remarkable region in the South of France.    

Benvengudo Hotel blog will explore the history and attractions of Les Baux-de-Provence in a new series of articles. No site has more historically significant than the Château des Baux de Provence; a 10th century fortified castle that towers over the village and surrounding landscape of Provence. Located well within walking distance of Benvengudo Hotel, the Chateau is an ideal attraction for the more historically inclined visitor. Discovery Provence and Its History Considered by some to be one of the most picturesque villages in France, Les Baux-de-Provence exemplifies everything that is beautiful about Southern France. Perhaps the most captivating feature of the area, is the Chateau des Baux de Provence, a Castle perched proudly upon a spur of rock in the heart of The Chaine des Alpilles, a small mountain range in Provence. As well as offering a stunning panorama of the surrounding Provence from Aix to Arles and beyond, the Chateau is also of significant cultural and historical importance as a listed Historical Monument. Once inside, you will begin to discovery the history of the Lords of Les Baux-de-Provence as well as the remains of the former town of Baux. With their audio guide, available in 10 different languages, re-trace their steps as you visit the keep, the Sarrazine and Paravelle towers, the dovecote, the castle chapel and the chapel of St Blaise, and the former Quiqueran hospital. The Lords of Baux The Chateau has seen a turbulent history with Raymond of Baux playing a crucial role in determining who occupied Provence. As a Lord of Baux for 20 years, between 1145 and 1162, he led the Baussenque Wars, fighting against the Count of Barcelona to win the County of Provence. The turbulence of the region finally died out with the death of Alix of Baux. As the last heiress of the domain of Baux her death, in 1426, signalled the end of the turbulent line of the Lords of Baux. The Chateau survived for a few more years, before its demolition in 1483. Secular and Religious Remains At the entrance to the Chateau you will find the former chapel, a 12th century building that was constructed with rich decoration and intended for contemplation and prayer. In the 12th century, the chapel was dedicated to the Virgin Mary and provided the Chateau with both religious and physical protection. It has been dedicated to Saint Catherine since the 16th century. The Military Remains The Keep at the Chateau des Baux serves as a stark reminder of the militaristic presence in Provence. The Keep is also significant because it was here that the Chateau came into being. The Lords of Baux had the rock carved out at heights of up to 20 metres so as to defy anyone attempting to scale it. At those heights the Lords also made full use of the panoramic view of Provence. The Siege Engines at the Château des Baux The Chateau is also home to a magnificent reproduction Trebuchet, a type of French catapult. As well as several other examples of historical siege works, The Trebuchet was constructed based on medieval drawings from the period and forms part of a range of formidable machines that were often used to attack the walls of fortified sites during sieges. This medieval equipment can be seen in action over a series of events held at the Chateau from April through to September. Benvengudo Hotel is a 4 star luxury boutique hotel located in Les Baux-de-Provence. Set in an authentic Provencal country house, its idyllic location offers a perfect base from which to explore this remarkable region in the South of France.

With an air of Venice, the charming Provence island city of L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, criss-crossed by canals, is world famous for its antique furniture markets… L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue has become one of the must-see attractions of the Provence. Situated approximately 25km east of Avignon, this island city offers visitors a glimpse of history… The old, colourful houses bordering the canals, the little bridges, the narrow streets, the food markets on the water, the charming little shops and eateries… Just step in a boat, relax, and take it all in. Next to it’s Venice-like charm, it also boasts a thriving antiques, furniture and arts market. Antique dealers stay open during the weekends for visitors. Twice a year, the famous l’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue Antique Furniture Markets, attracting visitors from all four corners of the globe. These gatherings are held once in April, and once on the 15th August. If you are looking for something special to treasure, or if you want to pick up a bargain, these famous antiques markets in the Venice of Provence will definitely not disappoint… Benvengudo is your ideal choice amongst all the Provence hotels. Located in the heart of Provence, our boutique hotel offers easy access to the delightful village of Les Baux de Provence. Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Arles, Avignon are nearby and Marseille International Airport is just over an hour away… See all the Provence attractions, events and historical locations that surround us. Make your online Provence hotel reservation, enquire online or call our friendly Reservations Team on +33 (0)4 90 54 32 54 to book. Browse our classic Provence hotel accommodation rooms or explore our Provence hotel specials, packages and deals for your next Provence holidays, romantic getaways or weekend and mid-week escapes.