Le Couvent Des Minimes Hotel & Spa

Nestled in the heart of Provence, we are proud of our establishment: Le Couvent des Minimes Hotel & L’OCCITANE Spa. More than ever, accompanied by a great team, we are so pleased to have you among us, so make yourself at home!

The family-style spirit that is so cherished by the Relais & Châteaux label has been reinvented in our establishment. Le Couvent des Minimes, steeped in history, in beautiful natural surroundings, backing onto the picturesque village of Mane, is the epitome of Provence style and traditions!

You are sure to be won over by its tranquillity, natural setting and bucolic walks. Celebration of the senses is on the menu with Chef Gatien Demczyna. He will move, thrill and surprise you…

The L’OCCITANE Spa will pamper you in its cosy cocoon during this unforgettable fairy-tale stay. All the staff, my wife and I are really looking forward to welcoming you here.

History and passion
The Couvent des Minimes was founded in 1613, in Mane in the modern-day French department of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, by the Marquis Melchior de Forbin Janson for the Minimes order of mendicant monks established by Saint Vincent de Paul.

Growing and studying plants was an important part of life at the Couvent at the time. Louis Feuillée, Louis XIV’s botanist, studied and wrote botanical treaties there. During his expeditions to South America, he studied new species of plants, such as nasturtiums and fuchsias, which he brought back to France.

After the French Revolution, the Couvent des Minimes remained uninhabited until 1862, when Canon Terrasson, archpriest of Forcalquier, undertook its transformation into a hospice. Several years later, a community of Franciscan Missionaries of Mary came to live there to look after the hospice and its residents.

Between two missions abroad, the Missionaries took care of the gardens, turning them into Provençal raised terraces where they planted fruit trees and vines. These cultures allowed them to cater for the hospice’s residents and help missionaries coming back from tropical countries to get back on their feet.

In 1999, the Missionaries left the Couvent, which was left unoccupied until its reopening as a hotel and spa in June 2008. Far from its original vocation, this residence dedicated to relaxation continues to cultivate the same welcoming spirit that has dwelled there for the last few centuries.

The Relais & Châteaux Le Couvent des Minimes Hotel & L’OCCITANE Spa was awarded the “Best Boutique Hotel in Europe” award at the 2009 Prix Villégiature Awards on 19 October.

Rooms
Enjoy the simple luxury of the rooms at the Couvent des Minimes Hotel and L’OCCITANE Spa situated in Mane, at the heart of Provence. Treat yourself to a welcome pampering break in the unique atmosphere of this 5-star Virtuoso Relais & Châteaux residence.

The rooms are steeped in the Couvent’s charm and spirit, founded in 1613. They represent contemporary French elegance and revisit the art of entertainment. They also offer guests a personalised style; each room is different, but all boast the same high-quality facilities.

The walls are painted in soft pastel colours, light streams through the wide windows, the furniture is made from solid oak and the carefully selected decorations add a tasteful touch to the rooms.

The rooms provide guests with modern or classic luxury and complete intimacy. All the stops have been pulled out to ensure that guests enjoy the very best levels of comfort and elegance.

Suites
A unique atmosphere, bathed in light, which combines luxury furniture with an elegant decor.

The suites, renovated to associate the charm of the residence’s history with the top-quality comfort of the current luxury hotel, have been designed in an endeavour to recreate the welcoming spirit and benevolence of the original site.

Each of the eight spacious suites boasts a lounge corner that invites guests to relax and unwind while admiring the uninterrupted view of the Cloître inner building, the gardens or the swimming pool. A breathtaking place for an exceptional stay…

In the church steeple, the elegant and romantic “La Cassine” wedding suite, offers an enchanting atmosphere and an unforgettable experience for your first wedding night.

Definitely the biggest, the Deluxe Suite “La Maison de Mane” can be combined with another room and be perfect for a family (based on 2 adults and 2 children).

Restaurant gastronomic Le Cloître
In the very heart of Provence, in Mane, the gastronomic restaurant « Le Cloître » awarded a star by the Michelin®guide, is an epicurean tribute to the art of entertaining.

Le Cloître offers both conviviality and a warm welcome, a place combining a feeling of well-being with its flavours. Every aspect of it is important; it is honest and contemporary, and gets down to basics. The right produce is critical to any dish and its true worth shines through.

Menus
After 6 snowing years, Gatien Demczyna, the executive chef of the Couvent des Minimes*****, warms up his talent in the sun of the Alps, but of Haute Provence this time. He is now taking over the reins of Le Pesquier bistro before proposing his signature cuisine at the gastronomic table starting 2020.

Happy to be able to work a 4 seasons kitchen, to put tomatoes, eggplants, olive oil and saffron on the menu, Gatien will color its culinary identity of all the richness of Luberon, component according to meetings and favorites.

Le Pesquier Bistro
Le Pesquier presents lovers of fine food with the chance of a break that enables you to appreciate Gatien Demczyna’s creativity. In the comfort of its armchair lounge, this restaurant encourages you to relax in the peaceful atmosphere of Provence.

During the summer time, the Le Pesquier bistro invites you onto its terrace. Grant yourself some time away from it all, calmly sampling a drink and then a meal while enjoying the summer sunshine.

Bar Le Caveau 
During summertime, at garden level, when evening falls, Le Caveau des Minimes offers a relaxed setting with a wide range of fine spirits.

When darkness has settled on Provence, when the moonlight shimmers in the pool and the cicadas’ chirping has ceased… then is party time at Le Caveau des Minimes! In a relaxed atmosphere, tasting becomes an art.

Outside summertime, get comfortable under the magnificent wood framework, in the heart of the grand cloister. Allow yourself to drift away to the sound of music and in the pleasure of discovering new tastes.

Mane holds many surprises for you, and moments of pure relaxation and escape will be yours to enjoy at the Couvent des Minimes Hotel & L’OCCITANE Spa.

Wine Cellar
La Cornue, a wine cellar, the perfect environment for maturing vintage wine and cheeses alike, is a unique experience for you to discover. Regional products take the spotlight, and allow guests to get acquainted with Provençal specialities. Tastings can be organised on request, according to availability, at the hotel reception.

Gatien Demczyna
Some people have to learn how to cook and all the different techniques of this art when few others have it in their blood and just have to remember their childhood.

Born in the capital of french gastronomy, in a butchers and caterers family, it’s as if, since the begining, everything was combined to shepherd Gatien Demczyna at the stove.

From South of France to high altitude resorts, Gatien Demczyna, has consistently put his experience to make good products shine. This way of cooking has become is signature and the recipe of his success.

Rigorous professional, man of compassion and passionate about cooking, do not be suprised to meet him wandering through the woods in the hope to find mushrooms for a new creation.

Now head chef of our gastronomic restaurant Le Cloitre and our bistro Le Pesquier, Gatien Demczyna is committed to ensure a fantastic guest experience.

Creativity and emotion
WELL-BEING AND FLAVOURS
Gatien Demczyna, our chef, opens the doors to a place that is both convivial and intimate, where well-being and flavours cohabit in perfect harmony. His belief is that the product should be allowed to express itself, adding just enough creativity to provoke pleasure and surprise.

An expert in delicate and refined gastronomy, with a Mediterranean accent, Gatien Demczyna masterfully combines perfumes and flavours, while upholding a perfect respect of the local produce, adeptly preserving its authenticity.

Gatien Demczyna finds a wide range of herbs in his vegetable garden, combining flavour and tradition, which allows him to give his imagination and talent free rein. Nature has always been a big part of life at the Couvent des Minimes.

Since Louis Feuillée, Louis XIV’s botanist, who studied there, to the Franciscan Missionaries, who passionately grew fruit trees and vines, the gardens and terraces have preserved their outstanding beauty to the present day.

Soothing and relaxing atmosphere
AT THE L’OCCITANE SPA
The Couvent des Minimes Hotel & L’OCCITANE Spa opens its doors into a real haven of tranquillity, entirely dedicated to reinvigoration of body and soul. The L’OCCITANE Spa reveals the Mediterranean way of life and its scents through its facial and body treatments as well as its products.

The Spa is a natural extension of the brand, combining genuine ingredients. This proven effectiveness, associated with traditional massage techniques, ensures a veritable journey for the senses.

With the aim of sharing its culture and its love of Provence, L’OCCITANE develops its products from derivatives and variations of essential oils, as well as from ingredients dear to Provence, such as lavender, lemon, verbena or honey.

L’OCCITANE is distinct as a label for ingredients whose quality and source are rigorously controlled. Authenticity, respect, sensuousness – three fundamental values of L’OCCITANE; three key words which encapsulate the unique experience on offer at the L’OCCITANE Spa, as an extension of the brand.

The Couvent des Minimes Hotel & L’OCCITANE Spa offers a list of exclusive treatments for men and for women. There is also a dedicated range of treatments for expectant mothers.

Close your eyes and let yourself be carried away by the expert hands of our therapists. Your well-being is our predominant concern. If that isn’t heaven, it’s not far short…

Commitment & Distinction
Each project is an opportunity for L’OCCITANE to further develop its civil responsibility. By using traceable and environmentally friendly materials wherever possible, and applying energy-saving measures (with a responsible use of air conditioning and water), the L’OCCITANE Spa is strictly and permanently committed to reducing the impact of its activity on the environment.

Furthermore, the use of Shea butter, sourced from women’s cooperatives in Burkina Faso, is proof of L’OCCITANE’s support for Fairtrade ingredients. Our L’OCCITANE Spa was awarded the label of “Qualité Spa-A” on 2011 and 2014.

Facial and body treatments
In partnership with the Couvent des Minimes, L’OCCITANE has created a new luxury spa. With relaxation facilities and treatment rooms in a 750m² spa bathed in natural light, our centre offers guests a unique experience based on L’OCCITANE’s three fundamental values: authenticity, respect and sensuousness.

The L’OCCITANE Spa’s decoration is inspired by the surrounding natural landscapes: sand, sanded wood and stones in different shapes, materials and colours are harmoniously arranged to create a unique invitation to unwind and treat your senses to an invigorating experience.

The perfumes, the virtues of the essential oils infused in the “Signature” rituals, combined with the original music and the exclusive techniques, all come together to create the ultimate moment of escape.

Spa Facilities
Spend some unique, and incredibly relaxing, hours in the indoor swimming pool, with its massage jets and aquabiking, and colour-changing water according to the natural daylight streaming through the windows, and then unwind on the divans in the relaxation area.

For the ideal pre-treatment preparation, take advantage of the sauna (gentle dry at 70°), and the turkish bath (moist atmosphere at 50° with essential oil vapours).

Seminars and meetings in Provence
Organise your conferences, conventions, seminars or any other professional event in the unique untouched setting of the Couvent des Minimes Hotel & Spa L’OCCITANE.

A team of seasoned professionals will be at your service to work on your project. We will come up with a bespoke event together, adapted to your needs, and which conveys your brand image and values.

In total, we have two private rooms hosting between two and 80 people at your disposal. These rooms, which are fully equipped with cutting-edge technology, will guarantee you intimacy, tranquillity and comfort in an exceptional setting in the heart of the Luberon area.

A luxury residence for your special occasions
Experience a unique occasion in this Relais & Châteaux residence, at the heart of Mane in Provence. The Couvent des Minimes Hotel & L’OCCITANE Spa will offer another dimension to your events.

For an hour, a day, or a week, your occasion will be entirely tailored to your needs and wishes, ensuring that it is an unforgettable one.

For cocktail parties, exhibitions, dinners, gala evenings and music festivals, the historic and exceptional setting of the Couvent des Minimes Hotel and L’OCCITANE Spa’s church can host up to 150 people in around 255m², which can be entirely hired out for your private use, and available for any exceptional event. The lasting memory of a privileged moment at the heart of Provence.

A unique location in Provence
The Salagon Priory: An important site for tourism and culture in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department, this 17th-century priory, a historic listed monument, has been turned into a museum surrounded by a remarkable garden.

The European University of the Perfumes and Flavours of Forcalquier: This university organises workshops on perfumes and flavours. These educational and fun sessions unveil the secrets of perfume manufacture or reveal the mysteries of essential oils.

The Olive Tree Eco-museum in Volx: This museum reveals the ancient and more recent history of olive trees, as well as the various uses of olive oil. This living museum offers interactive and audio-visual tools, sensory and fun activities based on olive trees, the gift of the Mediterranean.

France Montgolfières hot air balloons: In the clearest Provençal skies, take to the heights from the Forcalquier platform. Enjoy a privileged view of perched villages, lavender fields and a host of other treasures throughout your flight. Flights only take place in the morning.

The Luberon 18-hole golf course: Set in a natural park with swathes of Provençal colours, in a majestic setting in Pierrevert just 20km from the Couvent.

Tourism and leisure in Provence
At the heart of an untouched natural environment with a remarkable heritage. As the starting point for any excursion, the town of Mane is home to three remarkable buildings: its church, the Salagon priory, dating from the 12th to the 17th centuries, and the Sauvan château, the “Petit Trianon of Provence”, whose restored gardens are a lasting invitation to the land of scents.

If you are exploring the secrets of perfumes, why not visit Manosque, the town of Jean Giono, the olive tree Eco-museum at Volx, the Museum of Aromas and Perfume, or the experimental garden of aromatic plants.

Not to miss in Manosque, the L’OCCITANE EN PROVENCE factory opens its doors to you on a guided tour, with reservation. Last but not least, come to discover the shop, at preferential rates.

A region of art and history
From its rich medieval past, Mane has preserved its old town with steep side-streets, its citadel protected by 3,500 metres of ramparts, its 16th century church with a Florentine portal and a high altar of multi-coloured marble.

The Salagon priory is a collection of buildings from the 12th to the 17th centuries. Do not miss the château de Sauvan, boasting the nickname “Petit Trianon of Provence”.

This magnificent palace was built for François de Forbin Janson in the eighteenth century. Its carefully restored gardens are a pleasant destination for a walk.

It would, of course, be hard not to be aware of Manosque. How lovely it is to set off in the footsteps of Jean Giono, son of this land, who dedicated his work to Provence. He would write “the true treasure of Manosque is its beauty.”

As you walk through the town, you will discover a thousand-year-old city with a rich past, where each era has left its own imprint and style. A visit to the L’OCCITANE Factory will give you an insight into the riches and composition of the brand’s products. Very close by lies the pretty village of Forcalquier.

Be sure not to miss the Monday morning market, which spreads its perfumes and colours throughout the town. It’s the weekly meeting of growers, craftsmen and local folk – an atmosphere like no other!

Pay a visit the old town, full of charm with its narrow side-streets, its small shady squares and its beautiful old dwellings from the 13th and 15th centuries.

The Forcalquier citadel was inaugurated in 1875 and boasts one of the very rare hand-rung carillons in Provence to use the traditional “fist” method of bell ringing. It is octagonal in shape and provides you with an observation point not to be missed.

For any number of years, a great many writers, painters, sculptors and artists have settled in Forcalquier, attracted by the beauty of its setting and the friendly welcome shown by the local people.

Website: www.couventdesminimes-hotelspa.com

Rooms: 46

Price: from 274 EUR per night