At the heart of wild Camargue, the Mas de Peint has established itself as a charming destination for celebrating refined weddings, receptions, or conferences in a Provençal atmosphere. Both a bull-breeding farm and a 5-star hotel, this estate nestled near Arles combines authenticity, elegance, and vast spaces, attracting guests seeking a natural yet unique setting for their event..
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Located in the territory of the village of Le Sambuc, Le Mas de Peint was built in 1602 by a wealthy Arlesian draper named Peint, who is said to have granted a loan to the city of Arles. Unable to repay his debt, the municipality ceded him swampy land in the Camargue in compensation. It was on this estate that he had his mas built, which naturally took the name of its first owner, a name it has kept through the centuries.
The mas was then passed from the Peint family to the Blain family, who manage it as part of their farming operations in the Camargue region. Then, in the twentieth century, it went to the Bon family, who embarked on a new chapter in the estate's history by developing livestock farming and then tourism. In 1979, Jacques Bon parted with his flock of sheep to concentrate on breeding Camargue bulls. The following year, he founded his own *manade*, which would bear his name. At that time, it comprised three hundred bulls and around forty horses. They raise only bulls intended for the Camargue race, also known as “the cockade course”, a sporting game where « The man and the bull both emerge as winners », he explains.
A 5* refuge in the heart of the Camargue.
In 1992, with Lucille, his second wife, an architect with whom he has a son, Frédéric, Jacques Bon decided to create a charming hotel at the Mas de Peint. Today, the estate combines this rural history with high-end hotel activities, without breaking from its territorial roots. The hotel was conceived as a continuation of their home. They undertook this conversion with their hearts, wanting their clients to feel “at home” in 5-star accommodation that in no way alters its rustic and warm character.
The estate covers 550 hectares of varied landscapes typical of the Camargue: marshes, rice paddies, pastures, and saline steppes coexist in perfect harmony.
The estate today is also a working farm, which can employ over fifty people depending on its needs. Bulls are raised there, as well as Camargue horses, whose docility and comfort visitors appreciate, enhanced by the enveloping Camargue saddle… Organic rice is also produced there, certified by the “Qualité France” label.
One Family adventure
Le Mas de Peint is a family story. Frédéric and his wife Clémence passionately continue the work of his parents: livestock farming, agriculture and hospitality, and perpetuate the authentic and warm spirit of this creation. Their aim is to constantly improve the welcome they offer to their clients, who come from all over the world to experience Camargue life. The «family home» dimension and the strong links to the herd appeal to visitors seeking authenticity rather than ostentatious luxury.
Customisable and modular spaces
The Sheepfold
This is one of the last three traditional Camargue sheepfolds, designed in the spirit of old rural constructions in the region – exposed beams, thatched roof, low-rise building – with particular attention paid to landscape integration. A 750 m² space, entirely private, which immerses guests in the very essence of the Camargue for a warm reception rooted in the heritage and local produce of the region.
Photo DR.
The Cabin of Ego
Significant « The horse shelter », this space brings together the manade's facilities: stables, sheep pens, and the gardians' workspaces. It can accommodate up to 800 people very close to the private arenas where traditional shows can be organised for the bride and groom and their guests. Their presence enhances the venue's vibrant dimension: here, Camarguais farming and traditions are not static, but are still practiced and staged in a natural setting. A unique site in France for spectacular celebrations.
The lodge campsite
Between understated luxury and a nomadic spirit, this encampment offers accommodation in eco-lodges, spread out across the estate, bordering the livestock areas and open countryside landscapes. The entire concept is designed for immersion, with independent units, spaced apart and connected by the estate's existing paths. The architecture draws on the styles of traditional Provençal farmhouses (mas) and Camargue constructions, using natural materials and intentionally discreet landscaping to embody a conscious ecotourism ethos. With a capacity for up to 600 people, this solution is perfect for extending the festivities in a bohemian chic atmosphere.
Immersion in the Camargue universe
The rooms at Mas de Peint reflect the spirit of a revisited Camarguais farmhouse rather than that of a standardised hotel. There are eight rooms and seven suites (ranging in size from 25m² to over 40m² depending on the category), located in the historic farmhouse building, which is the hub of hotel activity. They occupy the former, redeveloped agricultural structures, with views of the courtyard, pastures, or the open Camargue landscapes. In addition, there are eco-lodges scattered across the property.é, positioned remotely from the main farmhouse, in the heart of nature, to preserve privacy and immersion in the Camargue environment.
As for the estate restaurant, « The chef creates beautiful dishes that reinterpret regional classics: bull gravlax, gazpacho with heirloom tomatoes, using quality ingredients and vegetables from the garden. The delightful terrace under the wisteria and the charming setting make it a top choice. », notes the Michelin Guide.
Here, we honour Camargue AOP beef, organic rice and estate olive oil, fish from local fisheries, Crau lamb, poultry from the Alpilles, and Gallician pork.
At the heart of the Camargue, the Mas de Peint has thus established itself as an estate where agricultural activity, characterful hospitality, and event hosting converge. Without breaking with its rural identity, it today combines living heritage and high-end hospitality, in an environment where the soul of the Camargue remains omnipresent.
The Mas de Peint establishment and the Manade Jacques Bon are certified « Natural Regional Park Values » and are registered with the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism (ECST), illustrating their commitment to the preservation of the environment and local heritage.
Address
Hôtel Mas de Peint – Manade Jacques Bon
Salin-de-Giraud Road. Le Sambuc - 13200 Arles
Telephone : 04 90 97 20 62
Le Sambuc – A hamlet with medieval roots
Le Sambuc is a village that is part of the commune of Arles in the Bouches-du-Rhône department, to the south-east of Arles, between the Rhône and theVaccarès pond, in the heart of the Camargue delta. The lordship of Le Sambuc, which belonged to several members of the de Clapiers family in the 16th and 17th centuries, is at the centre of an area that includes the most beautiful farmhouses in the Camargue, such as the Mas de Peint. Today, with a population of around 530 inhabitants, Le Sambuc is a typical hamlet with its low-lying houses, from which one can discover the richness of the hydraulic systems. On either side of the small roads, rice fields and pastures where Camargue horses and bulls graze, offer a landscape of a domesticated, intimate and preserved Camargue. Le Sambuc specialises in raising bulls and growing rice, including a highly prized organic rice. It is also home to an important private research centre on the fauna and flora of the marshes: the Tour du Valat Biological Station.
Text and Photos : Sylvain Grandadam
