We decided we’d like to explore a little more of the region beyond the Luberon and spend a few days on the Côte d’Azur. We were in search of a quiet, boutique hotel, one that offered good food where we could relax for a few days by a pool and feel a little indulged. With lots of places to chose from you’re never completely sure if you’ve made a good selection until you arrive. Nestled on the cliffs above the sparkling Mediterranean, Hôtel La Villa La Duce, proved to be a gem!

About a three hour drive from Lourmarin we chose to drive across country instead of taking the autoroute. It was a scenic journey, through vast areas of sweeping vineyards into the beautiful countryside of the Var.

Vines of the Var

We stopped for lunch by the Mediterranean at the pretty beach town of Le Lavandou, just 13km west of our destination at Rayol-Canadol-sur-Mer and 30km west of the beaches of the Saint Tropez Peninsular.

Le Lavandou

Le Lavandou bustles with restaurants, shops and cafés, cheerily strung along the quay.

We wandered by the water until we found somewhere that seemed impossible to resist. Doubtless tempted by a display of one of our favourite rosés, Léoube, from nearby Bormes-Les-Mimosas. (There’s a story to Léoube which I’ll share next time.)

Leoube rosé at a Lavandou restaurant

After lunch we wound our way a little further along the oleander fringed corniche. Mediterranean villas, smothered with bright purple and fushia bougainvillea clung to the hillside either side of us, painting a profusion of color along our pathway

Then we arrived at Hôtel La Villa La Duce, perched amongst the clay tiled roof tops with dazzling views from the terrace, of our beautifully appointed room, of the Mediterranean and Côte d’Azur.

Views and the Pool at Hôtel La Villa Duce

Champagne and rosé were some of the offerings at cocktail hour, carefully positioned to show case the view.

Evening wine at Hôtel la Villa Duce Côte d'Azur, Var, Provence, France

As was the hotel’s restaurant, Le Café l’Envol..

Sunset at Hôtel la Villa Duce,Côte d'Azur, Var, Provence, France

The cuisine was a delicious work of art without being pretentious and it was reasonably priced.

Le Café l’Envol, the restaurant at Hôtel la Villa Duce, Côte d'Azur, Var, Provence, France

View the menu here.

Food at Hôtel la Villa Duce,Côte d'Azur, Var, Provence, France

Breakfast was served on the upper terrace at Le Club Papillon with sweeping views across the glistening, blue water.

Breakfast at Hôtel la Villa Duce, Côte d'Azur, Var, Provence, France

The breakfast buffet was a sumptuous feast, we certainly didn’t need lunch!

The Breakfast bar at Breakfast at Hôtel la Villa Duce, Côte d'Azur, Var, Provence, France

After 2 days of  indulgence we decided to explore a little further and visited Gassin one of Les plus beau villages de France, a medieval village high above the beautiful Saint-Tropez Peninsular.

Views of Saint Tropez Peninsula from Gassin, Côte d'Azur, Var, Provence, France

Jean-Luc Ducreux’ incredible bronze and steel sculpture dangled by the village entrance.

Sculpture in bronze & steel by Jean-Luc Ducreux at Gassin

Where ‘Don Quixote’ seemed to be guarding the secrets of this picturesque little spot.

Sculpture of Don Quixote in bronze & steel at Gassin,

And it was really very pretty.

Streets of Gassin, Côte d'Azur, Var, Provence, France

A visit to one of Les beau villages never disappoints.

Archway in Gassin, Côte d'Azur, Var, Provence, France

We stopped on the short drive back at the beach near Croix-Valmer.

Beach at Croix-Valmer Côte d'Azur, Var, Provence, France

Where we were enticed to stay for dinner with the sand between our toes.

Beach restaurant at Croix-Valmer, Côte d'Azur, Var, Provence, France

Gambas et frites….. très délicieux!

Gambas on the beach at Croix-Valmer, Côte d'Azur, Var, Provence, France

We only had a few days in this little haven,

By the pool at Hôtel la Villa Duce

and it was hard to tear ourselves away.

Views at Hôtel la Villa Duce, Côte d'Azur, Var, Provence, France

Only open a few years, we’ve already booked to go back. If you’d like to visit Hôtel La Villa La Duce click here, it’s cheaper to book direct!

Where do you like to stay on the Côte d’Azur?