Villa Gallici, Aix-en-Provence: An Oasis of Elegance in the Heart of Provence
Aix-en-Provence has long lured travellers with its fountains, markets, and Mediterranean light and now it was our turn. Staying at Villa Gallici, a Relais & Châteaux retreat just minutes from the old town, offered us an intimate stay where Provençal romance meets Italianate flair for a truly photographic and memorable stay.
A Stop Between Paris and the Riviera
Our summer trip took us by TGV from Paris to Nice, with Aix-en-Provence as a deliberate pause to catch our breath. The city had long intrigued us – its name appearing on countless wine labels, its streets familiar from the lighthearted series Murder in Provence. Villa Gallici, a Relais & Châteaux property, felt like the right choice: a hotel with a sense of character, close enough to wander into town yet private enough to feel like a retreat.
The location is superb. Less than five minutes from the edge of Aix’s pedestrian zone and about twenty minutes’ stroll to the central Rotonde fountain, it places you right where you want to be. Though not rural, the two acres of enclosed gardens make you forget the bustle of the town just beyond the trees.
Arrival: Stepping into a Provencal Mansion with Italianate Flair
The approach is discreet: up through residential streets, then a short drive to the gates of the property. As they open, you’re greeted by lush greenery and bright blooms framing the driveway. A doorman collects the luggage, and within moments you are in the reception hall.
The interiors mix Provençal charm with baroque-inspired opulence. Ceramic parrots perch across gilded tables, chandeliers sparkle above, and walls in soft grey are trimmed with gold. It feels less like a hotel and more like stepping into an eccentric, elegant private home. Check-in is swift, and the layout focuses on outdoor living: terraces, gardens, and pool take centre stage.
The Junior Suite: Light, Layers, and Luxury
Our junior suite felt less like a hotel room and more like a curated hideaway. The gold door opened onto a small salon, dressed with a red floral sofa and a delicate writing desk. Sunlight poured through curtain-framed windows, catching the patterns of the wallpaper and the soft sheen of polished wood.
The bathroom was a highlight in itself: a spacious retreat swathed in soft pinks, with a freestanding bath and a rainfall shower set against black-and-white tiles. Turndown brought fresh petals and scented candles, turning it into a place to linger rather than just get ready.
Beyond the bedroom, where a large bed faced out to greenery, French doors led to a private terrace. Two loungers and a small seating area made it perfect for a quiet drink or afternoon reading. While the hotel’s gardens enclosed the view, the room felt airy, cocooned in comfort yet never closed in. It was the kind of space you look forward to returning to after exploring Aix.
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 scatter across shaded terraces, while one corner holds an enchanting stone trough filled with fresh roses – a simple yet iconic touch.
Down a flight of steps lies the pool, an inviting rectangle of blue surrounded by bright red parasols and loungers embroidered with the hotel’s monogram. Against the greenery and clear Provençal sky, the scene is effortlessly photogenic. Sculptures dot the grounds, including a winged figure that recalls the memorial on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice. The spa, small but tranquil, sits just beyond, offering massages and a glass-walled space that feels part of the garden itself.
Dinner at Dolce Serata: Relaxed Italian Dining
After two intense days in Paris, our first night here called for something easy. Dolce Serata, the hotel’s summer terrace restaurant, delivered just that: an open-air dining space above the pool, dressed in gingham and ceramic accents that wouldn’t look out of place in White Lotus.
The menu was short and charmingly Italian. We opted for a simple pasta and 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.
The experience was relaxed, if not extraordinary, with the only misstep being the looping playlist – Italian tunes on repeat that wore thin by the third round. Still, for a quiet evening under the parasols, it served its purpose well.
Breakfast on the Terrace: A Provençal Morning to Remember
Skipping breakfast in town would have been a mistake. Here, mornings are an event. Tables dressed with roses and porcelain parrots overlook the fountain, where water trickles softly over the petals. The buffet is both generous and beautiful: towers of pastries, fresh fruit, delicate cakes (including a local take on the Tropézienne), yogurts in glass jars, and freshly squeezed orange juice served in bottles.
Service is attentive and warm. Tea arrives in fine china; French breakfast tea became a new favourite. Every element, down to the arrangement of the macarons, feels thought through – a feast as charming as it is delicious.
Dinner at La Taulla Gallici: A Sunset Finale
For our final evening, we dressed up and headed to the hotel’s fine dining restaurant, La Taulla Gallici. The terrace, now softly lit for evening, created the perfect stage. White tablecloths, roses, and small knife rests (a nostalgic detail) set the tone.
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.
Service was not flawless – at one point I poured my own wine – but this minor lapse did little to dim the evening. Course after course arrived like edible works of art, each plate a small celebration of Provence.
A Memorable Pause in Provence
Villa Gallici isn’t about sweeping views or grand hotel bustle; it’s about the small luxuries that make a stay memorable. The baroque-inspired décor, the roses in the fountain, the monogrammed red loungers, the warmth of breakfast in the morning sun – these are the details that stay with you.
For those passing through Aix-en-Provence or seeking a quiet retreat within walking distance of its historic centre, this is a hotel that offers both escape and connection. Three nights here felt like stepping out of time, and we left with the sense that we had discovered a hidden pocket of charm in the heart of Provence.
Practical Details
Date of Stay: 14th to 17th July 2025
Address: 18 Av. de la Violette, 13100 Aix-en-Provence, France
Website: www.villagallici.com
Affiliation: Part of the Relais & Châteaux collection, which also includes exceptional properties such as Château de la Chèvre d’Or and Amberley Castle.