Stunning retro chic b & b in Aix countryside

It’s always a joy to stumble across something different!  I used to lunch at a cool little restaurant in the centre of Aix en Provence full of vintage furniture serving delicious organic soups, salads and tarts.  It was my favourite place; a little secret that few local people seemed to know; except the people in the know!  The young and stylish couple who ran it quietly screamed individuality which was refreshing in the land of noisy brasseries, haughty waiters and steak frites.

Then one day they closed down and Aix lost a gem of a lunch place!

To my delight, I soon discovered why.  Welcome to the Maison Jalon;  my stylish couple’s new home and stunning b & b.  I visited recently for a dreamy long weekend with three of my good pals from the UK and Denmark and now I have a new secret place that I don’t want to keep so secret!

Just 10 minutes outside Aix is the pretty village of Puyricard and nearby is the Maison Jalon.  Down a little bumpy track, this place has a cool, original vibe that’s so different and refreshing!  The swimming pool is surrounded by gorgeous countryside with pretty wild flowers, olive trees, lavender and chickens.  At night the star filled countryside skies are huge and there is space to breath and think after a day at the market or an evening in a cozy bistro in Aix.  It’s also close to Chateau la Coste (one of the top vineyard experiences in Provence).

I was thrilled to connect with my stylish couple again.  They are called Dimitri and Laetitia and they live in this grand design with their children in the downstairs part of the house.  Our space has been cleverly created along the top floor into four rooms each with a delightful theme.  Cozy, stylish spaces with soft beds, large showers, Provence soaps and huge windows leading onto a balcony made for early evening drinks and star-gazing later.

Breakfast was a joy during our stay; creatively prepared with fresh fruits, yoghurts and patisseries and a different little surprise every day! Each morning we stayed at the table far longer than we had planned; it’s that sort of place.  Laetitia is a superb cook and she can prepare lunches if you wish while you laze by the pool (they used to live in Morocco – so I’m sure her tagines are amazing).  We used their bikes and disappeared off into the beautiful countryside, lunched in Puyricard (click here to learn more on this village from my blog) and enjoyed all that Aix had to offer.  The best part of the stay, though, was Maison Jalon!

This place is deliciously different and a true gem; either for a b & b or to rent out the whole house in the summer (extra three bedrooms downstairs).  For more information please contact Dimitri and Laetitia.……………