La Maison D'Ulysse

The Provençal garrigue may be the finest scrubland in this or any world, its lime-rich soil supporting signature Mediterranean flora from oak shrubs to lavender and thyme. This sort of trivia becomes quite meaningful when you’re staying at a fortified, luxe-rustic, 16th-century farmhouse like La Maison d’Ulysse — the views, the cuisine, and the architecture are all perfectly adapted to that picturesque backdrop. Apps and screens hold no power here. When you come to the south of France, you adapt to the rustic rhythm of life, not the other way round.

All the charming local touchpoints make an appearance — parefeuille terra-cotta roof tiles, burnished floor tiles, ravenous swaths of ivy — all given a breath of fresh of air by contemporary elements like sleek lighting, walk-in showers, and breathable, minimalist layouts. Each room in this former silk farm (or magnanery, for you word-of-the-day types) comes uniquely decorated with hand-sourced antiques and whimsically repurposed furnishings; exposed beams, old-time radiators, earthenware, and wrought iron conspire together to bring about a singularly gratifying lifestyle.

It isn’t all preserved in amber, either. A charming, stone-walled dining patio mingles Indian and island flavors with hyperlocal Provençal staples for a parade of intensely flavorful, visually stimulating plates. The public spaces offer a variety of settings for whichever relaxation mode suits best: cocktails and champagne by the pool, a serene reading session in the garden, or low-key conversation on the shady terraces. Even better, rental bikes permit leisurely rides over mile after mile of uncrowded country roads. A picnic may very well be in order.

Please note: La Maison d'Ulysse is open annually from mid-June thru August.