There are places that make you want to do more, see more, tick more things off your list. And then there are places that make you want to slow down.
Les Petites Maisons, in the heart of Provence, was very much the latter.
We spent a week exploring Provence with four adults and four children, and while there is obviously an endless list of beautiful villages, markets, vineyards and restaurants to discover around the region, having the right place to come back to at the end of the day made all the difference.
One thing we quickly realised is just how big Provence actually is. There is so much to see that choosing where to stay can feel slightly overwhelming. For us, Les Petites Maisons turned out to be a brilliant base — beautifully surrounded by the Provençal countryside, while still being well positioned for exploring different parts of the region without feeling like you are constantly driving for hours. And perhaps more importantly, it was the kind of place where we were very happy to spend the days we didn’t feel like exploring.
Because sometimes, on a week-long trip, you need that too.
The property is beautiful in a way that feels very natural. The decoration is one of the things we loved most: elegant, warm and incredibly considered, but never overly polished or formal. It has that difficult-to-get-right feeling of understated luxury — beautiful materials, gorgeous colours, charming details and interiors that feel stylish without ever feeling like they are trying too hard.
Everything feels very much in tune with its surroundings: countryside, stone, greenery, warm summer evenings and long lunches that somehow turn into afternoon drinks. You don’t necessarily have to leave to feel like you are experiencing Provence as everything feels so quintessentially Provençal that simply being there already feels like part of the experience. It never felt like we were just staying somewhere conveniently located and using it as a base; the property itself gave us that feeling of being immersed in the region.
We are going to say this because we initially underestimated just how important it would be: if you are booking a summer stay in Provence, get a place with a pool.
We chose Les Petites Maisons partly because we were travelling with four children, so the pool was obviously a big plus for them. But after experiencing the heat, we quickly realised it wasn’t just a children’s amenity — it was an absolute must for everyone. It was very hot during our week, and the pool became the natural centre of our days. A morning swim, a few hours in the shade, jumping back in whenever things got too hot… and suddenly the idea of spending the whole day sightseeing didn’t seem quite as appealing. Even if you’re travelling without kids, trust us on this one.(also, they have an Adults Only pool. If you have the chance to try it. let us know how that went for you ahah)
Yes, these were exactly the vacations we were looking for.
To spend a morning doing absolutely nothing. To let the kids run around. To sit outside with a glass of wine. To enjoy the countryside. To come back from a day exploring and not feel like we needed to go anywhere else. These were just as much a part of our Provence experience as the villages and places we visited.
It is also the kind of place that proves that being family-friendly does not have to mean sacrificing the charm and style we look for in our travels. Yes, it is possible to welcome kids without giant inflatables, plastic slides or colourful toys taking over every corner of a beautiful property. M. had her own tiny handmade giraffe, made from polymer clay, with her name on it, and became completely obsessed with an art installation — a tree you could lean your ear against and “listen” to its heartbeat.
Thoughtful, beautiful and genuinely fun for children. Congrats, Les Petites Maisons — you nailed it.
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