Aix-en-Provence: 28 à Aix

Aix-en-Provence is a stroller’s paradise, known for its 17th- and 18th-century mansions, ornate sculpted doorways and dozens of lovely stone fountains. Now one of those exquisite private mansions has been opened to the public as the 28 à Aix—not only an exclusive four-room bed-and-breakfast, but also a mini-art gallery, boutique, tea salon and tree-shaded garden restaurant. Located in the quiet residential Mazarin neighborhood, minutes away from the central tree-lined Cours Mirabeau, the majestic three-story 17th-century hôtel particulier has been completely renovated by owners and interior designers Gil Dez, Charles Montemarco and Daniel Jouve (who also own Aix’s top-rated four-star hotel Villa Gallici) with an arresting mix of earth-tone contemporary and baroque furnishings.

The ground floor, with gilded mirrors, monumental Murano chandeliers and an eye-catching jumble of antiques, includes a boutique selling fragrant candles and Aesop beauty products. The restaurant serves Mediterranean specialties—try the lobster and mint brique or the stuffed eggplant—and the tea room offers Mariage Frères teas and heaping plates of tempting homemade pastries. Up the monumental staircase, each of the spacious rooms is unique, but all come with fluffy duvets, flat screen TVs, and velvety sofas and chairs. Suite One is decked out with a contemporary canopy bed and sculptural light fixtures; Suite Three boasts a private terrace and Suite Four a striking Philippe Starck-designed bathtub. Doubles from €200.

28 rue du Quatre Septembre, Aix-en-Provence, 04.42.54.82.01. website

Originally published in the May 2009 issue of France Today