Hotel**** - Restaurant - Spa by L’Occitane

Press Kit

Press Kit

Le Vieux Castillon

The 4* Vieux Castillon is nestled close to the Pont du Gard aqueduct, at the gateway to the Alpilles, and provides a unique,

magical and truly poetic setting for a perfectly charming stay.

Locating on the medieval streets of the picturesque village of Castillon-du-Gard, this charming hotel consists of a series of Renaissance

buildings that provide the perfect opportunity to enjoy a rare moment of privacy.

Time really does seem to stand still behind its thick, ancient stone walls, allowing visitors to experience a truly magical break away from it

all amid lush natural surroundings where you’re guaranteed a warm welcome. Nowhere is the light as soulful as it is here. The rich, magical palette of

colours, flavours and fragrances of Provence are indicative of the genuine authenticity of this region.

Under the watchful eye of the surrounding cypress and olive trees, Le Vieux Castillon will transport you to an extraordinary new world where

every last detail is designed to ensure your complete well-being with the utmost discretion.

SPOTLIGHT ON A HAMLET

BUILT IN STONE

Once over the threshold, discover a labyrinth linking

18 carefully renovated, interconnected medieval houses.

This secret kingdom contains walkways, staircases and hidden lounges. It’s hard to believe that

the hotel offers more than 34 vast guest rooms, some on two levels,

with private terraces and views over the tiled rooftops.

CINEMAPARADISO

When moonlight filters through the ramparts, it’s time for reverie

Le Vieux Castillon extends an invitation for a unique cinematic experience. Once or twice a week a poolside screening features the classics of international cinema and carefully chosen recent films. Comfortably installed in a Gandia-Blasco DayBed, equipped with a headset and a rug over your knees, settle down to enjoy a rare selection such as La Dolce Vita, Roman Holiday and The Easy Life…

After a year of renovation, this place’s spirit and character radiate once more from the exposed stonework. More than just part of the décor, it is the source of an all-encompassing, captivating atmosphere which is calming or festive according to the time of day or night. From the lobby to the private terraces, a monastic ambience enhances the shadows and beams of sunlight. Just enough to let the warmth of the south express its full potential.

In Le Vieux Castillon’s thirty four guest rooms, bedside tables, bookshelves and bathroom fittings have been designed with clean and simple lines. Curtains and blinds, bed linen and bath towels come in an all-enveloping palette of milky, chalky and vanilla whites. Recliners on balconies and rooftops, deep sofas and all-new beds offer an enticing invitation to relax and while away the

hours. The muted atmosphere of the Deluxe guest rooms offers a haven when the sun starts to shine too fiercely. The 37 to 46 m¤ Junior Suites on two levels have been entirely redesigned to facilitate the passage between sleeping, bathroom, living and outdoor areas. Each one offers superb glimpses of alleyways, stone gargoyles nestling under Génoise roof tiles, patios and blue skies.

Like a holiday home, it’s a place to spend time, not just to sleep.

MONASTIC INSPIRATION

The simplicity of luxury…

classic

17 to 21 m2, with views over the village’s medieval alleys or the hotel garden

superior

From 2o to 24 m2. These rooms mingle the whites, beiges and oranges of the landscape to produce a warm and inviting atmosphere

deluxe & deluxe terrace

From 26 to 37 m2 with spacious living areas and a comfortable ambience

suites, junior suites & suite terrace

From 37 to 46 m2, soft colours and natural materials

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Air conditioning, free Wi-Fi safe, Bose speakers, Nespresso coffee machine, minibar, bathrobes, hairdryer, L’Occitane. courtesy products

Le Vieux Castillon

GUEST ROOMS & SUITES

The hotel’s restaurant has been refurbished to feature bright, minimalist, contemporary decor that nevertheless maintains the charm of the Renaissance building in which it is housed, making it the perfect place to sample the culinary delights prepared by our chef.

The minimalist and symmetrical furniture in the dining room was selected to suit the tastes of inte-rior designer Natalia Megret, whilst the About A Chair armchairs by HAY, with their white seats and wooden bases, complement the room perfectly. The discreet horizontal fireplace with its glass walls bring a touch of warmth and style to the room, where limestone features once again around the doors and on the floor. Guests here can enjoy dining overlooking the pool as the sunlight streams in through the large picture window, whilst Natalia Megret has had a series of Lanterna suspended lights designed by Sam Baron for Petite Friture installed to create a cluster effect, resulting in a lighting centrepiece that looks perfectly at home here in the restaurant.

You might, should the mood take you, choose to dine alfresco on the delightful terrace, in the shade of the Occitan stonework, from where you will be able to see the swimming pool overlooking the Alpilles.

THE TABLE OF CASTILLON

Le Vieux Castillon

Benoît Dahai has certainly not wasted any time. At just 23 years of age, the former second-in-com-mand to Rémy Giraud, the double-Michelin-starred chef of Hauts de Loire fame, has recently taken the helm of the kitchens at the Vieux Castillon, where he serves up a very promising precise yet comprehensive classical repertoire.

Originally from Poitou-Charentes, only when he arrived here did he discover the true wealth and variety of products available in the region, which has proven a great source of inspiration for the chef. His seasonal menu changes on a regular basis, although certain core dishes have become regular features, whilst pastry chef Victoria Lannoy oversees the dessert offering. Her variation on the tarte au citron truly sparkles, bursting with freshness and youth in keeping with the rest of the very promising menu on offer here.

Meet Benoît Dahai, the new Chef.

Le Vieux Castillon’s lemon tart: Breton shortcrust pastry with lime, a very tangy lemon cream, a light cream with kaffir lime zest, crisp French meringue fingers and caramelised Italian meringue… Your senses awaken and cry out for more.

Le Vieux Castillon

SPA BYL’OCCITANE

All of the treatments and rituals on offer and active ingredients used at the Spa by L’Occitane are inspired by the great L’Occitane herb collection. The treatment circuit is an olfactory journey punctuated with various fragrances, styles of application, textures, music and even infusions stemming from Provençal tradition. L’Occitane Spas are imbued with the lands, ingredients and rituals of the Mediterranean and are an integral part of the brand’s wider identity. With this in mind, it will come as no surprise that the massages offered here use traditional techniques to administer the very latest in treatment expertise. Facilities include two single treatment rooms, a double treatment room, a hammam, a jacuzzi & an outdoor pool that is heated between May and October and offers panoramic views of the surrounding heathland and Mont Ventoux.

Le Vieux Castillon

New in May 2018, the patio at the Vieux Castillon is the perfect place to enjoy a spot of relaxation and maybe even an afternoon

nap. Comfortably installed beneath the shade of the cypress and olive trees,

this bohemian-chic space is ideal for relaxing with family or friends.

Le Vieux Castillon

Hotel****

1o Rue Turion Sabatier, 3o21o Castillon du Gard, France +33 (o)4 66 37 61 61 — reservation@vieuxcastillon.fr

www.vieuxcastillon.fr

Contact

Access

By car: From Paris, Marseille and Montpellier: A9 (5 kilometres from the hotel), exit at Remoulins. From Remoulins, N86 towards Montélimar. At Les Croisées, D19A towards Alès.

Then take the D228 on the right towards Castillon.

By Train: Avignon TGV station: 3o km – Nîmes: 3o km.

By air: Nîmes Airport: 3o km – Montpellier Airport: 7o km Marseille Marignane airport: 1o8 km

With the Alpilles regional nature park on one side and the Camargue nature reserve on the other, the Pays d’Uzège has preserved its unspoilt environment.

It can be seen from a charming belvedere in the medieval village of Castillon du Gard which offers a panoramic viewpoint. Within the village walls, houses built entirely with stone from the local quarries of Vers, Pont du Gard and Castillon cluster together on the promontory. Once through the arched gateways, explore the cobblestone streets keeping your eyes open for interesting gargoyles.

The Maison des Remparts and the 18th century Château de Belle Vue have been stylishly restored. The GR 63 trail leaving from Castillon du Gard leads to the Pont du Gard via a two-hour circuit which retraces the remains of the aqueduct and follows the Mémoire de Garrigue footpath.

You can discover the caves, chasms and clear waters of the Gorges du Gardon, leading to the Cévennes mountains, by canoe or by following the hiking trail. Don’t miss the Sautadet waterfall at Roque-sur-Cèze on the road to Bagnols.

A YEARNING FOR

NATURE

The first traces of human activity in Uzès are to be found on the banks of the River Alzon, near the Fontaine d’Eure springs. The Romans benefited from an abundant water supply here. It was transported to Nîmes over a 5o kilometre aqueduct, of which the Pont du Gard is the most remarkable portion. Leaving from the Cathedral in Uzès town centre, a trail takes you through the surrounding countryside with its drystone shelters (capitelles) via the Fontaine d’Eure next to the River Alzon, to the Pont du Gard which once carried water from Uzès to Nîmes.

Going to market

Although one of the region’s most famous markets is held in Place aux Herbes in the centre of Uzès twice a week, cycle rides in the area offer countless other opportunities to enjoy delicious local produce such as picholine olive oil, semi- white semi-purple asparagus and the famous black truffle.

Not to be missed

The Atelier du Café in Uzès, Gaiffier the greengro-cer (an institution), the Pressoir and its delicious fruit concoctions, the apricot and cherry orchards at Collias and asparagus at Saint-Siffret, the Côte-du-Rhône wine rail, the Duché d’Uzès, Côteaux du Gard and Côteaux du Languedoc appellations, the Uzès truffle farms and olive oils from the Moulin d’Uzès.

Not to be missed

La Maison d’Uzès - a 5* Relais & Châteaux hotel that has managed to maintain its old-world feel whilst gaining a Michelin star for its restaurant, La Table d’Uzès, under the leadership of Christophe Ducros.

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1.Uzès 2. The Ardèche Gorges

3. Nimes Arena4. Uzès

5. The staircase of La Maison d’Uzès

INTO THE

WILD

Lying at the crossroads between Provence and Languedoc, the Gard terroir between Nîmes, Avignon and Arles is steeped in sun and history.

A perfect alliance of luxury and simplicity, elegance and modernity, the hotels we design are unique. When you walk through the door it is not just a hotel that opens out before you but an entire region. From the Alps to Provence, from the Camargue to the Loire Valley, all the way to Paris, discreet charm and exceptional service await you. Staying in a H8 hotel is above all an experience, whether from a hotel, cultural or culinary perspective; a certain idea of a getaway.

Press Contact

Xavier Boudry

+33 1 53 64 90 68 / +33 6 62 30 55 76 xboudry@h8-collection.com

Credits: Christophe Bielsa, Guillaume de Laubier, Florence Loussier, Gilles Trillard

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