Fontvieille
Located in the heart of Van Gough country, just
outside the charming Provencal village of Fontvieille,
the private estate of “Moulin de la Tour” gives
travelers the chance to dabble in the lifestyles of the
rich, French and fabulous. This vacation rental
property is available for bookings of one week or more
through Anglo French Properties, a UK-based
company specializing in villas and country houses in
France. A former 18th century olive mill, Moulin is a
magical place set across 11 acres of grounds, with a
main house that sleeps 18, a large pool, tennis court
and games room. It’s a truly epic space, with sprawling
manicured lawns and an inviting turquoise pool
framed by rose bushes, but it’s the inside design that
really wows. Rooms are packed with antiques and
curios, a lifetime’s worth of collectibles, chandeliers,
busts and statues. The billiards room has a Spanish
matador theme. Walls are ornately decorated with
authentic bullfighting pieces, vintage posters,
rhinestone bedazzled neon pink capes and a taxidermy
bull’s head mounted over the fireplace. This chateau
offers truly unique accommodations, perfect for family
reunions, small weddings and events.
with caviar lemon and ginger; the classic “Millefeuille”
dessert in the Baumanière tradition, done with light
Tahitian vanilla cream, pistachio florentine and frozen
sea salt caramel. Humbling.
My palate is not accustomed to the decadence of
Michelin-starred restaurants. Each bite had surprising
flavors, complex combinations, welcoming aromas,
zests and tangs that were a real treat for the taste buds.
My senses were buzzing, awakened by ingredients so
fresh they tasted as if they were recently plucked and
traveled straight from dirt to table. Chef Jean-André
Charial favors a classic style of cuisine, rooted in the
local produce of Provence, with vegetables grown in his
own organic garden.
For those foodies who dream of putting on the
apron and joining the ranks of celebrity chefs, l’Oustau
de Baumanière offers regular cooking classes that share
the tricks of the trade. For wine lovers, there are also
oenology classes, where guests can learn about the
perfect wine pairing. Classes take place in a unique
learning environment, their famed wine cellar (one of
the largest private cellars in France, stocked with some
sixty thousand bottles of wine and best vintages from
the region).
Bon appétit.
ABOVE
(clockwise, from top-
left)
Baumaniére’s
Mediterranean red
mullet with sundried
tomato confit and
fresh farmhouse goat
cheese; Moulin de la
Tour’s magnificent
swimming pool; the
Master Bedroom at
Moulin de la Tour
features a canopied
4-poster double
bed and spacious
en suite; the 5-star
Baumanière les Baux
de Provence
FONTVIEILLE
Photo courtesy of Anglo French
Properties Ltd.
(
Photo courtesy of Anglo French
Properties Ltd.
(
140
THE AFFLUENT TRAVELER
|
Off The Beaten Path
©Oustau de Baumaniére
©Oustau de Baumaniére
