~ Chic luxury four star auberge hotel near Les Baux between Arles and Avignon in Provence, France ~

“ Located in the glamorous & chic rural atmosphere of Provence between Arles and Avignon, very near
to Les Baux and St-Remy, the picturesque village of Fontvieille is set in the heart of the Alpilles,
which inspired Alphonse Daudet to write the enduring 'Les Lettres de mon Moulin' ”

~ One of our "Chateaux & Hotels de Charme" ~
Click here to enjoy / discover our entire portfolio

~ Individual charm and a lovely terrace overlooking the rooftops ~

La Régalido Rue Frédéric Mistral 13990 - Fontvieille (Provence) Entrance located on the left side in a narrow one-way side street of this old typical Provençal village Email: ILARegalido@ila-chateau.com Paris 710 km - Monaco 275 km - St-Rémy-de-Provence 18 km Les Baux 6 km - Arles 10 km - Avignon 30 km Milano 580 km - Geneva 430 km - Barcelona 440 km Nearest Train Station (TGV): Avignon 30 km Nearest International Airports: Nimes (35 km) - Marseille / Marignane (65 km) GPS Latitude :    43° 43' 38.80"         Longitude :   4° 42' 35.00" Owners: Jean-Pierre MICHEL and Family Number of Rooms/Suites: 15 / - Rates: from 130 € Restaurant: Advance reservation essential - Closed for dinner on Monday, and Saturday lunch Lunch: light fixed menu (advance booking essential) Dinner: Outstanding dining and large wine list Season Opening: 15 February - 15 November Ample and superb floral garden to enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner, weather permitting Upper rooms have private terraces with soothing views across the ancient village rooftops Private enclosed parking lot with limited space (the owner will take great care of your car) Fully air-conditioned Hiking - Horseback Riding - Theaters - Wineries : all within 20 min Golf in Les Baux-Mouries (10 km / 6 miles) Some of the most exciting attractions in the immediate surroundings are: Daudet's windmill - the fascinating chateau-fortress of Les Baux and the Cathedral d'images in Val d'Enfer - the Pope's Palace in Avignon - St. Remy-de-Provence - Arles with its Roman Theatre, the well preserved arena and Van Gogh who produces much of his finest work while living there - Nimes with its Roman arena and the exquisite Maison Carree, which Jefferson took as his model in designing the Virginia State Capitol -

~ Enjoying Breakfast or Dinner "al fresco" in the sublime garden courtyard ~

The "Provence des Alpilles"
in Alphonse Daudet's footsteps

The old village of Fontvieille is best known for the Moulin de Daudet, the windmill that inspired this 19th century novelist to write "Les Lettres de mon Moulin" (1866-1869), a compilation of short philosophical and anecdotal stories very popular in France and still well-known today. Built around its 17th century church, Fontvieille is a much more peaceful little town than St-Rémy. It is located between the ancient cities of Arles and Avignon, and only 60 km (40 miles) from Orange, the gateway to the large area of Provence - Alpes - Côte d'Azur (called "Région PACA" in French)

If you are seeking the authentic flavour of Provence there is no better location from which to explore this countryside renowned for its clear, dazzling light and romance that inspired writers, artists and painters for generations, such as Frédéric Mistral, Alphonse Daudet, Giono, Cézanne and especially Van Gogh.

"The sunlight here is so intense that it seems to me that objects are silhouetted not only
in black and white, but also in blue, red, brown and violet ..." (Cézanne 1876)

It's definitely .... "The Place to Be" !

La Régalido, set in a side street of Fontvieille, is a gorgeous unexpected "Relais de Village" whose old Provençal charm has been enhanced during many years by the Michel Family. Housed in a former olive oil mill dating from 1789, built of local stone with a Roman tile roof, it was converted into a rustic chic hotel in 1964, now luxurious yet unpretentious. You'll find no swimming-pool here, which is no bad thing and has always been the deliberate choice of the owners. Instead there is a miraculously enclosed floral garden bordered by brilliantly coloured roses. This amazing and absolutely ravishing tree-shaded garden-courtyard gives a great feeling of peace and quiet, full of the scent of the flowers, lavender and thyme. It's simply glorious !

Dinner there in summer is a dream with a menu that is a work of art and food that is well worth the journey. La Régalido is still one of the last restaurants where meals are nicely prepared with superbly fresh produce, bought each day at the market. It's outstanding in every respect and deserves great praise.

Bedrooms range from small and beautiful to very spacious with private terrace looking out over the tile rooftops; all are lovingly furnished and comfortable, as are the public rooms - with carefully chosen country antiques, nice carpets, pretty patterned curtains, log fire, tiles and full of flowers everywhere. The family members that run this hotel know a great deal about hospitality. It shows in a host of small details, and the friendly atmosphere which prevails here is due largely to them. Jean-Pierre Michel, the chef-owner, oversees everything. He is always around to help and provide detailed instructions on daily trips, and you will undoubtedly enjoy his marvellous temperament and personality.

Because of it all, La Régalido is the place not to be missed when you journey through Provence. The moment you arrive and walk thru the gate into the beautiful garden courtyard, you know it will be different. It's so special, so pretty, so mellow that you'll always try to stay longer than you should.

The dining-room occupies the barrel vaulted cellar
of an early-17th century olive mill mentioned by Daudet

~ A fire blazing in the sitting-room ~

~ The medieval village-cum-castle of Les Baux ~
(9 km - 6 miles East of Fontvieille)
with royal history beyond the ordinary
Once a magnet for troubadours...Today a very popular tourist site
Worth a visit with spectacular sunsets

~ The Daudet's windmill above Fontvieille ~
(The "Moulin de Daudet" is now turned into a small museum)
Alphonse Daudet, the 19th-century novelist did not write his famous "Les Lettres de
mon Moulin" here or even stay, but found the inspiration in the picturesque village.

~ ORANGE - Gateway of Provence ~
(60 km / 40 miles from Fontvieille)
The Quintessential Roman Town
Triumphal Arch - Symbol of the Roman Imperialist Glory

~ ANCIENT ROMAN THEATER - “Monument of the World” ~
Built around 35 BC, it's the only building of its kind in Europe to have preserved its stage wall
whose size is quite impressive (103 meters long - 37 meters high - 1.80 meters thick)
and the acoustics renowned. (Sublime statue of Augustus in a niche)
Today, thousands of spectators (up to 9,000) can attend lyrical and musical performances
among which "Les Chorégies d'Orange" are the most famous.

~ Jean-Pierre Michel, your host ~
"I found a cheerful face waiting for me. A face that wasn't unknown to me.
In a flash, I had visions of the Uncle Paul of my childhood who used to
welcome us every summer to the family home"

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