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On the rock face, almost hidden in the living stone of the Alpilles, le Mas d’Aigret 4* is not just an address: it is a fragment of history, a breath out of time. A few bends from the fortified village of Baux-de-Provence, facing the Baux valley, this place cultivates a rarity that has become precious: that of a hotel seeking to tell a story.
Here everything begins with the rock. A limestone rock, carved, inhabited, and shaped by centuries of human presence. The Mas d’Aigret is part of this tradition of troglodyte dwellings. There is a silent memory in these walls that you feel from your very first steps.
Troglodyte charm
The hotel, which opened in the 1970s, was bought in 2006 by Marieke and her husband. They have preserved its raw soul while infusing it with a contemporary touch. Ask for rooms 15 or 16. These semi-troglodyte rooms offer a rare experience. The surprise is immense from the moment you enter. The irregular, sometimes rough walls are works of art in themselves. And what immediately catches your eye is also this driftwood bed frame made by an artisan from Arles. All the driftwood in the rooms was collected from the beaches of Les Saintes-Maries de la Mer.
Mineral softness
The rooms, dressed in natural hues, delicately capture the light, while a soft and soothing atmosphere envelops each space. In the bathroom, open to the bedroom, the antique freestanding bathtub, the waterfall shower, and the tap carved into the rock also required many months of renovation in 2014.
Dinner in the rock
The dining room perfectly embodies the spirit of the place. A troglodyte dwelling itself, it opens up like an elegant and intimate cave, where the rough stone and play of light tell centuries of history. You may even notice shell fossils in the rock.
In the evening, by the dim light, the atmosphere becomes almost unreal. The stone, omnipresent, absorbs sounds, softens conversations, creating a rare intimacy. The large stone fireplace, on which the coat of arms of the Baux de Provence sits, creates a warm ambiance during the cooler periods.
A garrigue-style kitchen
In this mineral setting, the cuisine draws from the Provençal soul: aromatic herbs, olive oil produced in the Baux de Provence, like that from Castelas Mill, sun-drenched vegetables, make up an authentic cuisine, enhanced with a measured modernity.
The dishes don’t aim for showiness, but for precision. They tell of a genuine Provence, stripped of its clichés, where each ingredient finds its place. The service, attentive without being overbearing, extends this impression of harmony.
The terrace at Mas d’Aigret offers one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Les Baux-de-Provence. In the shade of the trees and the blond stones of the Alpilles, the tables overlook the majestic Château des Baux, perched on its rocky spur. In season, you can enjoy this breathtaking panoramic view.
The swimming pool at Mas d’Aigret – heated at certain times of the year – enhances the peaceful, natural atmosphere of the setting. Nestled in the heart of a green setting, between light-coloured stones and Mediterranean vegetation, it invites you to relax in an almost intimate tranquillity. From the poolside, the eye is drawn to the rolling hills of the Alpilles.
In this Provence, which is sometimes too exposed, the Mas d’Aigret is almost an exception.
Staying here means accepting to live in a timeless bubble. A rare, subtle experience that can never be fully recounted, but which, long after departure, continues to resonate.
Address
Mas d’Aigret
www.masdaigret.com
04 90 54 20 00
contact@masdaigret.com
555, route des Oliviers (D27a)
13520 Les Baux de Provence
Text : Laurence Grémy-Flamand
Photos : Mas d’Aigret
