GUBI goes al fresco with
Le Couvent Des Minimes
In the picturesque Provençal village of Mane, Fabien Piacentino and his family have overseen life at the historic hotel Le Couvent des Minimes for over a decade. Under their stewardship, Le Couvent L’Occitane Spa has become one of the most beloved boutique retreats in the South of France.
A CONVENT REIMAGINED
Built as a convent in 1613, the stone structure and its surrounding grounds have been at the heart of Mane village life for four centuries. Hidden away in lavender-scented Luberon gardens, the five-star hideaway is renowned for its Michelin-starred restaurant Le Feuillée, its beautiful setting, and its considered old-meets-new design aesthetic.
General manager Fabien and his family have recently overseen the extensive three-year renovation, during which they unearthed a host of once-forgotten historic features. The spirit of the original design has been carefully preserved in the form of 17th-century murals and original stonework. As well as blending old with new, they have also blurred the lines between indoors and out – creating a flow of diverse but cohesive living spaces, united by recurring design motifs.
AT HOME IN PROVENCE
“I was living and working in Paris in 2012 when a colleague invited me to the South of France to consider taking on the hotel. I knew very little about the project, but still I drove down with my wife. As soon as I saw the property, I said to her ‘This is our new home.’ And so the adventure began. Now, together with our two sons and their partners, the six of us run Le Couvent all as a team.”
“For me, family is sacred. Together with the other members of our team, we are a family and we treat our guests as such.”
In Le Couvent’s outdoor areas and covered patios, Marcel Gascoin’s F-Chair in teak and woven cord contributes to an atmosphere of warmth, refined rusticity, and connection to the surrounding landscape.
“For nearly eight months of the year in Provence, the thing you want most is to spend time outside. It is essential that any outdoor space embodies the same warmth and comfort as the inside. For us, the surrounding area of the hotel provides a well-balanced and serene setting for life alfresco.”
ORIGINAL FEATURES, CONTEMPORARY FLOURISHES
Ignored for decades, the nave of the former church has been lovingly restored into what is now the hotel’s lobby and reception area. GamFratesi’s generous and cozy Sejour Lounge Chairs sit alongside sophisticated Wonder Sofas, Private Vitrines and Sideboards by Space Copenhagen, beneath stained glass windows and cathedral archways. The atmosphere is one of quiet luxury with the warmth of a countryside family home.
Curated designs including GamFratesi’s Violin Chairs and Paavo Tynell’s 9602 Floor Lamps infuse each space with a sedate elegance.
“Ultimately, it is in our DNA to listen – to the people, to the rich history, to the original materials, and to the surrounding area. From listening comes authenticity and truth.”
FIND THE SELECTION HERE