Perched above the water, the hotel Les Roches Blanches is an Art-Deco jewel nestled between pines and large slabs of Provençal stone. Reopened last year after a superb renovation, this historic five-star address offers a refined and inspiring stopover in Cassis, facing the red cliffs of Cap Canaille.
9am: A legendary address
Headboards in brass and black lacquer decorated with geometric panels, stylised lighting... with their nod to Art Deco, the hotel’s elegant rooms murmur the story of a mansion built by the sea in the late 19th century, before being converted into a hotel in the 1920s. Winston Churchill and Edith Piaf both stayed here and Mediterranean charm is omnipresent: a palette of sea blues, salty air and the song of cicadas.
11am: A balcony overlooking the sea
With boats criss-crossing the sea, parasol pines providing refreshing shade and the ochre cliffs of Cap Canaille rearing up ahead, the terrace offers a stunning spot to enjoy a coffee. The hotel, located near the picturesque port of Cassis, takes its name from the limestone rocks that have hewn the coastline from Marseille and make up the beauty of the Calanques National Park. Perfectly integrated in this natural site, Les Roches Blanches adheres to the codes of Mediterranean gardens, with multiple terraces set over stepped levels.
2pm: Infinite swimming
The original snail-shaped pool seems to echo the curves of the leaning pines. It’s a space with old-fashioned elegance where guests can read, sunbathe or daydream as they face the sea. With its clean lines and black mosaics, the pool brings a contemporary edge to the hotel. But the most beautiful of the pools remains the sea, accessible by a staircase carved into the rock.
5pm: An escape to the spa
Overlooking the garden and the bay of Cassis, the spa offers four cabins whose entrances look like living pictures. An intimate place where guests are enveloped by scents from Sisley and luxury phyto-aromatic treatments. The welcoming, ethno-chic atmosphere and spaces already take you on a journey, continued in the hammam delicately decorated with iridescent mosaics.
7pm: A drink at sunset
On the terrace of restaurant Les Petites Canailles, you could almost imagine being on the deck of a boat with its railing, wooden bridge and seascape view. At the end of the day, the setting sun illuminates the cliffs: an enchanting setting for nibbling tapas and mezze and perusing the wine list, which gives pride of place to the 12 Cassidian wine estates. With a big appetite, go to Les Belles Canailles for Mediterranean cuisine inspired by the sea.
Recommendations and advice: At Les Roches blanches, luxury is synonymous with responsibility. From the hotel to its restaurants and spa, everything is done to protect the environment. Waste is sorted and composted, a permaculture vegetable garden is cultivated and beehives are kept. From the wines to the food on your plate, everything is local and sourced locally. For all these efforts, Les Roches Blanches has been awarded the Clé Verte label, which is proof of their unfailing commitment.
Find out more: - Les Roches Blanches Hotel - Plan your trip to Provence - Read more: Les Bords de Mer, a new hotel in Marseille
By Charlotte Cabon
Journalist
