Les Bains Gardians: A Rustic Chic Nature Resort in France's Camargue

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The Camargue, in the South of France, is beloved for its wild attractions: salt marshes, beaches, white horses, flamingos, and miniatures bulls. Located a 20 minutes drive from Arles, the area is best known for its Parc National de Camargue. And it’s newly on the style map thanks to filmmaker-turned-hospitality impresario Jean-Pierre Marois.

Marois’s family has long owned the building that housed Les Bain Douches, aka the Studio 54 of Paris. Almost 10 years ago, Marois reinvented the shuttered club as a luxe hotel/club/restaurant/perfume line collectively called Les Bains: picture press junkets in private salons and suites with hammams and outdoor showers. Recently, wanting to create a place where guests can fully disconnect, Marois transformed an existing Camargue auberge with its own stable into the rustic answer to Les Bains. Located on the edge and within walking distance of the Mediterranean, Les Bain Gardians is a nature resort that Marois describes as an outpost of “conscious hedonism and serenity.”

Photography by Matthieu Salvaing, courtesy of Les Bains Gardians.

The Guest Quarters

guests stay in 50 classic whitewashed cabins that came with the property. 17 — Above: Guests stay in 50 classic whitewashed cabins that came with the property. Originally built for *gardians*—bull herdsmen, the cowboys of the region—the structures have roofs thatched with local reeds secured with iron bars and their northern ends are curved to withstand the fierce wind of the region, the mistral.

owner/creator jean pierre marois has commented that making a film and opening a 18 — Above: Owner/creator Jean-Pierre Marois has commented that making a film and opening a hotel involve similar acts of storytelling. He and his design team spent 18 months renovating the property, which included “rewilding” the landscape. Guests park at the entry—the resort is now car-free.

paris designers samantha hauvette and lucas madani of hauvette & madani tra 19 — Above: Paris designers Samantha Hauvette and Lucas Madani of Hauvette & Madani transformed the interiors of the cabins, a process that began by stripping away all of the existing finishes, “in order to return to something more natural and beautiful,” Marois told *Le Monde*.

Beds are tucked under the rounded roofs and have mosquito netting canopies. The blankets reference the checked wool saddle cloths of the Camargue horses and the Camargue crosses over the headboards are symbols of the region. To see what the cabins looked like Before renovations, take a look on Trip Advisor.

le bains gardians resort camargue, france. matthieu salvaing photo. 20

le bains gardians resort camargue, france. matthieu salvaing photo. 21

Above L: Arles art and antiques dealer Julie Barrau sourced this vintage desk chair and other furnishings used throughout resort. Above R: An under-the-archway sink/toilet with storage recesses. We particularly love the tiny tiled backsplash—see our Trend Alert on the subject.

mine and yours sinks in a larger cabin bathroom. 22 — Above: Mine and yours sinks in a larger cabin bathroom.

cabane cavalière (horsewoman) is situated pondside with a deck. the resort 23 — Above: Cabane Cavalière (Horsewoman) is situated pondside with a deck. The resort’s horse are described as living in “semi-liberty on the estate.” Guests can signs up for rides on the beach and other outings.

provence gardener luce monier cleared out the resort&#8\2\17;s formal, non 24 — Above: Provence gardener Luce Monier cleared out the resort’s formal, non-native plantings and, the hotel site explains, “let nature slowly reclaim its rights….tamarisk and feather reeds, olive trees, cypresses and umbrella pines are back, and flamingos and herons have returned to fish in the ponds.”

The Farmhouse Restaurant

the original farmhouse on the property is the main gathering spot and dining ro 25 — Above: The original farmhouse on the property is the main gathering spot and dining room.

the bar area. the hearths and terracotta tiled floors are original. 26 — Above: The bar area. The hearths and terracotta-tiled floors are original.

custom pendant lights hang over the airy dining room. 27 — Above: Custom pendant lights hang over the airy dining room.

Other Attractions

the stables. marois notes that the horses are fed organic crau hay and never ta 28 — Above: The stables. Marois notes that the horses are fed organic Crau hay and never taken out on more than two rides daily.

there are two pools and a spa is currently in the works. 29 — Above: There are two pools and a spa is currently in the works.

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Les Bains Gardians: White Horses and “Conscious Hedonism” in France’s Camargue

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