Located just a few minutes’ walk from the centre of Aix-en-Provence, Villa Gallici is a boutique luxury hotel known for its 18th-century Florentine-style architecture and richly opulent, romantic interiors.

Set on the TGV Grand Lignes between Paris and Nice, Aix-en-Provence made a natural stop on our journey south last summer, an elegant place to slow down before continuing on to the French Riviera.

Our hotel stays are always more than simply somewhere to sleep. We chose Villa Gallici for its location, atmosphere and dining, and in July 2025 spent three enjoyable nights at this luxurious hotel in Aix-en-Provence. This is our review of Villa Gallici.

Villa Gallici at a Glance

Villa Gallici is a small, independent luxury hotel on the edge of Aix-en-Provence, set within enclosed gardens just a short walk from the historic centre. Part of the Relais & Châteaux collection, it combines Italianate design with Provençal calm, feeling closer to a private house than a traditional city hotel. Like the Negresco, in Nice, the interiors are richly layered and characterful, filled with original artwork, decorative detail and generously proportioned rooms, making it more unqiue than the homogenized colour palette of an international chain.

With fewer than 25 rooms, the atmosphere is intimate and deliberately unhurried. Days revolve around the gardens, pool and terraces, while evenings are shaped by its two restaurants. Villa Gallici is very much a grown-ups’ hotel. The atmosphere is quiet and romantic, with a focus on dining, gardens and time spent outdoors. There is little here aimed specifically at younger children, either in the grounds or on the menus, which reinforces its appeal as a relaxed retreat for couples and adult travellers.

Hotel Location: On the Edge of Aix-en-Provence

Villa Gallici is located in a quiet residential street about five minutes walk (down) into the edge of Aix Town. This will get you to the top of Jacques de la Roque which is the start of the old town down towards the cafes, mesuems and all important record shops. It’s a longer meander to the the Fontaine de la Rotonde but its more of a landmark than a destination.

Location of Villa Gallici in Aix-en-Provence

The location works particularly well for walking into town for dinner and wandering back afterwards. Places such as Cézanne’s former home are reachable in around 30 minutes on foot, or more quickly by taxi, with Ubers readily available across the city.

Although this is very much a city hotel, the enclosed gardens create a strong sense of separation from the surrounding neighbourhood. There are no far-reaching Provençal views, unlike at Château de la Chèvre d’Or, but the focus here is inward. You are far more aware of roses, terraces and birdsong than what lies beyond the walls.

By car or taxi, Villa Gallici is less than 30 minutes from Aix TGV station. While this may sound distant, it places you directly on the high-speed rail network, with fast connections to Paris and Marseille, rather than relying on slower regional trains from the city centre. On-site parking also makes arrival by car straightforward.

Villa Gallici hotel entrance signage in Aix-en-Provence — Entrance signage for Villa Gallici, confirming arrival at the hotel in Aix-en-Provence

Arriving at Villa Gallici

Passing through the iron gates brings you directly to the villa steps, where you are met and welcomed inside. While bags are taken care of, arrival unfolds in a space that feels far more like an opulent living room than a functional hotel reception.

Pale panelling, gilded detailing and warm lamplight give the room an immediate sense of comfort. A long central table is crowded with porcelain parrots and birds, hand-painted in soft pastels and perched on ornate bases. Some double as candleholders, others are simply there to be admired, arranged with the casual confidence of a private collection rather than a staged display.

Porcelain parrot collection on the reception table at Villa Gallici in Aix-en-Provence — Porcelain parrots and decorative objects displayed on the reception table at Villa Gallici

Check-in is swift, followed by a brief introduction to the hotel, before we are shown up to our room, tucked away in the heart of the property.

Rooms and Suites at Villa Gallici

La Villa Gallici has 17 rooms and 6 suites, each with their own unique interior design. 2 of the largest suites are villas set into the gardens offering more space and privacy. We stayed in the Terrace Suite located up a short flight of stairs in heart of the hotel.

Hotel interior at Villa Gallici in Aix-en-Provence showing guest floor staircase with wrought iron balustrade and hanging lantern — Guest floor interior at Villa Gallici, with wrought iron staircase, painted ceilings and original artwork

Terrace Suite Review

The Terrace Suite is generously laid out, with a large bathroom, a separate living area, a spacious bedroom with an en suite toilet, and a private terrace furnished with red loungers.This has to be one of the most beautiful hotel suites I have ever stayed in.

Fresh roses and handwritten welcome note at Villa Gallici in Aix-en-Provence — Fresh roses and a handwritten welcome note awaiting us at Villa Gallici

The large bathroom is a highlight. An iconic black-and-white tiled floor loks stunning, alongside twin sinks, a walk-in shower and a freestanding bath. Plush curtains frame the window, drawing in soft natural light during the day, while evening turndown brings candles that give the space a relaxed, almost theatrical warmth.

Bathroom interior at Villa Gallici in Aix-en-Provence with black and white tiled floor and dressing table — Bathroom interior at Villa Gallici, showing the black-and-white tiled floor and traditional furnishings

A small living area with desk, chairs and sofa made for an ideal relaxation space to catch up on some emails or your reading.

Living area in the Terrace Suite at Villa Gallici in Aix-en-Provence with sofa, armchairs and garden views — Living area in the Terrace Suite at Villa Gallici, arranged as a comfortable sitting room overlooking the gardens

The bedroom centres on a large, deeply comfortable bed positioned to look out towards the terrace beyond. Cushions are covered in toile-style fabrics, illustrated with birds, foliage and small architectural scenes. Their soft colours and fine detailing reinforce the sense of a well-appointed private house rather than a conventional five-star hotel. A discreet en suite toilet adds everyday practicality.

Bedroom in the Terrace Suite at Villa Gallici in Aix-en-Provence with floral fabrics and upholstered chairs — Bedroom in the Terrace Suite at Villa Gallici, with floral wallpaper, upholstered seating and garden-facing windows

Outside the small terrace, enclosed by trees gave extra space and some privacy to lie out or enjoy an apperative before dinner.

Room tour of the Junior Suite at Villa Gallici, Aix-en-Provence

Breakfast and Dinner at Villa Gallici

Breakfast is served on the terrace beneath large plane trees. White tablecloths, dressed with fresh roses and porcelain parrots, frame a generous selection of pastries laid out buffet-style in the adjoining room. Coffee and tea are offered, including French breakfast tea, alongside genuinely fresh orange juice.

The gentle trickle of water from the stone trough, filled with flowers and now a signature image of the hotel, adds to the setting. This is a hotel breakfast that was genuinely worth it.

Iconic stone water trough filled with roses in the gardens of Villa Gallici in Aix-en-Provence — The iconic stone water trough at Villa Gallici, filled with roses and set beside the main house

For lunch (on some days) and dinner this terrace setting is transformed into La Taula Gallici's Restaurant - the gourmet offering in the hotel. Again, the location is beautiful, now lit by soft lights and candles. White tablecloths, more roses, and small knife rests (a nostalgic detail) provide a beauty of it’s own.

Fine dining at La Taula Gallici with plated starter, table detail and main course at Villa Gallici — Dinner at La Taula Gallici, the fine dining restaurant at Villa Gallici

The menu by Chef Christophe Gavot balances Mediterranean flavours with French finesse. Dishes such as the roasted saddle of lamb stuffed with tenderloin and fresh goat cheese, and the Mediterranean mullet with samphire, lemon, and dill stood out both for their presentation and flavour. We paired dinner with a glass of Château Sainte Marguerite Fantastique rosé, a worthy match for the setting sun.

Choosing from the menu at La Taula, the hotel’s main restaurant at Villa Gallici

Whilst there is no strict dress code for La Taula, this is somewhere that celebrates dressing up. For Katherine this is an excuse to put on a beautiful dress and a pair of ‘hotel shoes’ that don’t need to walk terribly far. Her choice of a Stine Goya dress perfectly matched the floral themes of the restaurant.

Dress code at Villa Gallici: Katherine wearing a green Stine Goya dress for dinner at La Taula Gallici

Service was not flawless but the memories, the food and the experience will last longer.

Dolce Serata menu on a table at Villa Gallici in Aix-en-Provence — The Dolce Serata menu on the table at Villa Gallici

Bistro style Dining at Dolce Serata

Positioned above the spa and overlooking the pool and gardens, Dolce Serata is the hotel’s more relaxed dining option. Dressed in gingham with ceramic accents that would not look out of place in a White Lotus hotel, it worked well as an easy first-night choice.

The menu was short and charmingly Italian. We opted for a simple pasta and a pizzetta, followed by a shared dessert. Highlights included the pizzetta with Taggiasche olives and anchovies, and the burrata with cherry tomatoes and pesto. A bottle of Galoupé rosé rounded things off nicely.

Dolce Serata bistro dishes and ceramic tableware on a gingham table at Villa Gallici — Details from the table at Dolce Serata, the relaxed bistro overlooking the pool and gardens at Villa Gallici

All of our meals at the hotel werer excellent, though the combination of the limited menu at Dolce Serata and the formality of La Taula Gallici would not lend itself to repeated dining over several nights. That is not an issue here, with plenty of other restaurants just a few minutes’ taxi away.

Gardens and Pool: The Heart of Villa Gallici

The gardens are what make Villa Gallici shine. This is a summer hotel, built to be enjoyed outdoors. Breakfast tables and afternoon tea settings are scattered across shaded terraces, with steps leading down to the pool and gardens beyond.

The large rectangular swimming pool is lined with loungers and parasols in the striking red of the house colours. At the near end of the pool sits the spa, with the red parasols of Dolce Serata above, creating a particularly photogenic scene set between verdant green trees and the blue Provençal sky.

Pool area at Villa Gallici with red parasols overlooking the spa and Dolce Serata terrace — The pool terrace at Villa Gallici, with the spa below and the red parasols of Dolce Serata above

Villa Gallici swimming pool with red loungers and parasols set within the hotel gardens in Aix-en-Provence — The swimming pool at Villa Gallici, surrounded by gardens and the hotel’s signature red loungers

Sculpture-lined garden path at Villa Gallici in Aix-en-Provence — Sculptures line the garden paths at Villa Gallici, adding a gallery-like quality to the hotel grounds.

Beyond the pool lie slender garden paths, onto which many of the hotel rooms look. Sculptures dot the grounds, including a winged figure that recalls the memorial on the Promenade des Anglais.

Winged sculpture above red parasol in the gardens of Villa Gallici — A winged sculpture rises above the gardens at Villa Gallici, echoing the memorial on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice.

How Much Does it Cost? Is Villa Gallici worth it?

This is a luxury hotel that delivers on beauty, comfort and service. A three-night stay in the Junior Suite in July 2025 cost around €6,000, including city tax. Both dinners were extra. We had an incredible stay and felt the price was worth it for a genuinely unique luxury hotel experience.