**Capelongue: A Timeless Retreat in the Heart of Provence**
The news from [Capelongue](https://www.beaumier.com/en/properties/capelongue-hotel/) was significant this year. The beloved boutique hotel, known for its modern take on French hospitality, reopened for the summer season with a major expansion—nearly quadrupling its original size. Despite this growth, the hotel has retained its charm, offering guests a timeless experience that invites them to slow down and savor the beauty of Provence.
It’s no coincidence that the hotel’s marketing—and that of its parent brand, [Beaumier](https://www.beaumier.com/en/)—evokes a nostalgic, retro vibe. Beaumier is a French hospitality group with ten boutique hotels located away from the usual tourist hotspots, primarily in the French Alps and Provence, with additional properties in the Côte d’Azur, Switzerland, and Ibiza. Since its inception in 2011 (originally as Les Hôtels d’en Haut), Beaumier has focused on stunning natural settings, collaborations with residential designers, and a distinctly French storytelling approach.
The brand’s aesthetic is deliberate: overexposed photos, vintage-inspired fonts, and colors reminiscent of a 1970s kitchen. The result is a visual experience that feels effortlessly timeless, blurring the lines between vintage family photos, archival travel brochures, and modern branding.
### A Provençal Village Reimagined
Capelongue itself mirrors this aesthetic. The hotel is designed like a small village overlooking the picturesque town of Bonnieux in the Petit Luberon. It’s the epitome of Provençal slow living. The original 16 rooms remain in one corner of the property, while 41 new accommodations have been added across several stone buildings. Each room opens directly to the outdoors, creating the feel of a private cottage, with views of the gardens, swimming pools, or historic stone structures.
At the heart of the hotel is a central square with a fountain. Café tables fill one corner, offering a perfect spot to enjoy a snack or drink from the on-site café. Nearby, the Michelin-starred restaurant, La Bastide, serves tasting menus crafted by chef Noël Bérard, featuring local ingredients like black truffle from Méthamis and Sisteron lamb with lavender honey.
Despite the allure of the fine dining experience, many guests find themselves drawn to the simpler pleasures of Provençal life—lounging by the pool, strolling through lavender-scented gardens, or enjoying a casual meal at the hotel’s more relaxed restaurant.
### A Design That Honors Provence
The hotel’s redesign was led by the French design duo Jaune, in collaboration with the branding and architecture studio A.S.L. Paris. Together, they created a space that reflects the rustic charm of the region while incorporating contemporary elements. The rooms and suites feature a palette of white and ochre, with straw-woven furniture and vintage pieces alongside works from emerging artists. The Capelongue library, curated by the Librairie du Palais in Arles, adds another layer of cultural richness to the property.
As Beaumier’s CEO, Éric Darde, puts it, “Nothing is missing, nothing is forced. Everything is there, available, to fully recharge your batteries.”
### Exploring Bonnieux and Beyond
While Capelongue is designed to feel like a Provençal village, the real Bonnieux is just a short walk away. This charming hilltop town, with its steep streets and limited parking, remains relatively uncrowded, offering an authentic and understated experience. Nearby, the village of Loumarin is livelier, with a 12th-century castle, bustling cafés, galleries, and boutiques. Loumarin’s Friday market is considered one of the best in the region.
Loumarin is also home to two more Beaumier properties. [Le Galinier](https://www.beaumier.com/en/properties/le-galinier/) is a bed-and-breakfast housed in an 18th-century bastide, while [Le Moulin](https://www.beaumier.com/en/properties/le-moulin-hotel/) is a full-service hotel located in a former olive oil mill.
### Le Moulin: A Blend of Tradition and Modernity
Le Moulin’s 25 rooms, also designed by Jaune, are decorated in off-white and mustard tones, with raw wood accents and handcrafted earthenware. Some rooms on the top floor open onto a terrace with views of the village’s terracotta rooftops. The design is subtle yet functional, with attention to detail in even the smallest elements, like the hinges on the window shutters.
The hotel’s restaurant, Bacheto, occupies the old press room, where antique machinery is still visible. The menu is a modern take on Provençal classics, with dishes like heirloom tomatoes with black olive crumble and hay-smoked stracciatella with figs. The restaurant’s name, derived from a local word for sharing meals, reflects its communal dining ethos.
### A Brand That Embraces “Traditional Modernity”
Beaumier’s approach to hospitality—rooted in tradition but with a modern twist—extends across all its properties. Even with its recent expansions, the brand maintains an instant sense of belonging, offering guests an experience that feels both timeless and effortlessly chic.
Source: forbes.com