To end this April PLUME VOYAGE invites you to dive into the world of the most beautiful vineyards, to spend a weekend walking in the middle of the open-air museum that is the Château La Coste, to discover the gardens of the Château de Pommard, to stay at the Domaine de la Madrague, or be lured in by Wine Passport and their holidays and tailor-made tours. Doesn’t it make you want to get away?
Wine Passport, creator of bespoke wine tours.
Creator of bespoke travel around the world of wine, Wine Passport imagines and organizes exceptional journeys in the finest vineyards of France and Europe. New tastes and culinary experiences, the benefits of vinotherapy, horseback riding and rides in vintage cars in the heart of the vineyards – Wine Passport comes up with the most original activities to discover the area, and knows how to knock on the right doors in order to get invited into the finest establishments in the world of wine as well as encountering young passionate winemakers.
The spring gardens at the Chateau de Pommard.
To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the acquisition of the Château de Pommard, Maurice Giraud – its proud owner – has organized ten events throughout the year. And to kick-off this series, the chance is being given to explore the beautiful gardens of the property. To honor them and begin the season, the “Côté Jardins” exhibition invites visitors to explore the spirit of the gardens through the discovery of ten iconic models, to stroll between the vegetable patches of the close, redesigned specifically to suggest the characteristic aromas of the terroir of Pommard .
A charming stay at the Domaine de la Madrague.
Halfway between Le Lavandou and Saint-Tropez, the Domaine de la Madrague is also famous for its wines and the quality of its villas. At the heart of the vineyards, the two houses have all the assets to attract nature lovers and connoisseurs: several rooms to gather with family or friends, breathtaking views of the area, heated swimming pools and lush gardens. Located only a few minutes walk from the beautiful beach of Gigaro, these villas allow guests to enjoy activities to suit all tastes.
An artistic walk through the Château La Coste.
The Château La Coste, a few minutes from Aix-en-Provence is a unique place where the vineyards, art and architecture express themselves freely. Here, the greatest architects can give free rein to their imagination: Tadao Ando, Frank O. Gehry and Jean Nouvel have designed some of the iconic buildings of the property, while the works of Louise Bourgeois, Paul Matisse and Hiroshi Sugimoto are presented in the gardens. By the end of spring, we will be able to discover new pieces by renowned artists: Lee Ufan, Tony Berlant and Frank Gehry as well as the new garden by Laurent Benech.
In May, Marriott is partnering with SOS Villages d’Enfants.
Throughout the month of May, the European hotels of the Marriott will donate 1 euro to SOS Villages d’Enfants per cover served at lunch and dinner in their restaurants. This initiative aims to enable young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to acquire new skills and offer them professional opportunities so that they may build a better future for themselves. SOS Villages d’Enfants will be able to finance vocational training and scholarships. In the United Kingdom, the same will be done for The Prince’s Trust.
The revival of the Hotel de Paris.
Opened in early 1930, the legendary Hotel de Paris Saint-Tropez has kicked off the season in style, with lots of new features. Boasting a spectacular all glass pool suspended 15 meters above the ground, a chic bistro patio with a meny by Georges Blanc, and a rooftop terrace ideal for enjoying the view over the bay, the hotel also has a new Dolce Vita duplex suite. This unique Presidential Suite showcases pictures of Brigitte Bardot autographed specially for the hotel. In additon, a Spa by Clarins has been added so that guests can recharge with the exclusive treatments of MyBlend before enjoying some sushi at the Japanese restaurant, located on the roof, The Roof.
The Abbey of Saint-André, the 12th Remarkable Garden of Languedoc.
In the ancient fort of Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, the gardens of the Abbey of Saint-André just received the label “Remarkable Garden”. This accolade recognizes a rare site that combines the art of gardens and a mosaic of heritage inviting visitors to take a stroll through the history of Languedoc and Provence. Classified as a historical monument, the Italian and Mediterranean gardens surround the 18th century abbey palace, with a breathtaking view of the Palais des Papes and the Alpilles. A real vegetal haven animated throughout the year with a slew of cultural and artistic events.
Eden Rock St Barths, the new jewel of the Oetker Collection.
Oetker Collection, one of the finest selections of luxury hotels, and the mythical Eden Rock St-Barth are joining forces. Built 70 years ago and perched on a rocky outcrop in the heart of St. Jean’s Bay, the Eden Rock overlooks a beautiful coral reef surrounded by a turquoise sea. The 34 rooms, suites and villas – spread across the rock, along the beach or nestled within a lush garden – were decorated by Jane Matthews and each has a unique style. Two villas even include a music studio where the console was used by John Lennon to record Imagine in 1974.
A change of scene at the Cheval Blanc Randheli spa.
Opened in late 2013, the spa of the new Cheval Blanc hotel in the Maldives is a haven of peace and scenery. After a short drive in a traditional dhoni up to the house dedicated to the spa – six thatched villas perched over the crystal clear waters of the lagoon – a unique experience awaits guests. In addition to its range of Guerlain treatments specifically designed for the brand, the spa also offers a range of exclusive treatments designed for Cheval Blanc. The guarantee of a change of scenery and of total well-being.
A Well-being Escape at the Sothys Spa at the Cap Estel.
The Sothys Spa at the Cap Estel in Eze invites guests to indulge in relaxation and pampering with their Well-being Escape treatments. Located on a dreamlike peninsula, not far from Monaco and Nice, the Cap Estel spa offers unique and innovative formulas, combined with the gestures and protocols of exclusive treatments for a unique sensory experience. With the Well-being Escape, you can enjoy the sea water swimming pool with breathtaking views of the Mediterranean, an hour of treatments and a delicious, healthy lunch. It’s the opportunity to combine the pleasure of the senses and taste buds in an exceptional setting.
A sensorial voyage at the Guerlain Spa du Trianon Palace.
The Guerlain Spa du Trianon Palace, at the edge of the park of Versailles, has a new signature massage on offer: the Voyage Sensoriel. Offered in four different versions, each more captivating than the next, this new treatment awakens the body and spirit. Clients can choose between an energizing, relaxing, exalting or enveloping ‘voyage’, each resulting in a different yet equally delicious sensory experience.
New youth cures at La Réserve Spa Genève.
La Réserve Spa Genève is looking to the medical expertise of the NESCENS brand to come up with new youth preserving treatments. The NESCENS better-aging programs are based on a series of subtle alliances between a pleasure-oriented lifestyle and the latest scientific advances in the field of anti-aging. The program developed in partnership with the Centre de prévention du vieillissement de la Clinique de Génolier (Switzerland) repairs sources of decay, identifies risk factors and corrects the imbalances that accelerate aging. The results are durable whilst also preserving the notions of pleasure and good living.
Louis Vuitton and BMW invent the luggage of tomorrow.
Louis Vuitton has partnered with BMW to create luggage made from carbon fiber designed exclusively for the BMW i8. This set of four bags was made according to the dimensions of the most innovative sports car to date. Each has a flexible morphology and a formed thermo structure which takes into account, to the nearest millimeter, the reduced dimensions of one of the free spaces in the trunk.
BMW France partners with Relais & Châteaux.
BMW France is equipping city-based Relais & Chateaux establishments with charging stations for its electric cars, and will also provide a fleet of its vehicles for certain houses to use. This partnership was founded on the basis of many points in common between the two renowned brands. Both posses a cultivated and long-established savoir-faire in their respective fields, as well as a strong sense of innovation, extreme attention to detail, a signature style and a continuously emotional journey. With the BMW i8 – the first premium sports car with a rechargeable hybrid motorization system – Relais & Châteaux customers can enjoy the road whilst also respecting the environment.
Mercedes-Benz creates surfboards for Garrett McNamara.
Mercedes-Benz has created four boards exclusively for the surfer Garrett McNamara, made to “ride” the waves off the coast of Nazaré, Portugal. These boards were designed and implemented in collaboration with teams of designers and engineers from the Mercedes-Benz Design Centre. Each has a slightly different shape and was made to measure according to the weight and height of the champion. This joint project, entitled “MBoard “, illustrates the ethos of Mercedes-Benz: to make the best or nothing at all.
Philippe Conticini creates unusual pastries for DS World Paris.
For Easter, celebrated pastry chef Philippe Conticini has come up with two new creations special for DS World Paris: the “chou DS” and the “chou-colat croustillant”. Conticini, who loves to “revisit tradition, exploring its full potential while remaining extremely respectful of its origins”, was inspired by the atmosphere of DS World Paris to offer an extraordinary culinary experience. Between the traditional chocolate, the spicy ginger and the sweetness of vanilla, a tasting of these delicate creations is sure to be nothing short of show-stopping.