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Explore French Palace Airelles Gordes, La Bastide in Gordes, France

December 29, 2025 / 0 Comments

Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler
A little awkward here because I was standing cliffside in Gordes, France! This was just the tip of the beauty iceberg as we enjoyed a very chic lunch at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide, a Provençal Palace in the heart of Luberon. Ironically (or not), I was wearing an interior matching dress made in India and the whole palace was dripping in luxury, a lot from other countries because back then collecting exotic items and materials – literally the wallpaper was fabric – was seen as the ultimate status symbol. Mere peasants could only dream of traveling! Every plate a true French masterpiece while enjoying my beloved favorite rose champagne Veuve Clicquot was a dream followed by a pot of tasty green tea infused with rose. Even Emily in Paris filmed here! When you literally can’t believe your eyes, you know life is good. I did at points feel like a giantess American in tiny chairs but they have other options if needed. People were a lot smaller back then as well… like my mom who is just shy of five feet tall nowadays! Explore more of this dreamy village online.

Coming straight from our quick overnight at Le Moulin de Lourmarin and lavender experience at the Musée de la Lavande, we were all ready to rock and roll in Gordes. Most of the itinerary was pre-set however this was a TBD (to be decided) and I think they nailed it with this choice. We were all eyes and mouths agape at the sheer wealth of the French aristocracy. The history of La Bastide dates back more than 500 years, but it’s the spirit of 18th-century bastides or the traditional country houses typical to this region that is captured. The unassuming façade on the Rue de la Combe casually covers the endless views. Painter Victor Vasarely and his wife fell in love with the Luberon Valley in 1948, spending every summer among the rolling landscapes and magical Provençal light that you will see below. Other artists include André Lhote, Jean Deyrolle, Marc Chagall and Serge Poliakoff. La Bastide opened its doors as an Airelles Maison (house), honoring over 150 local craftsmen and women to honor the past of this historic bastide. Architect and interior designer Christophe Tollemer from Paris has created a true Provençal gem with Provence-inspired fabrics by Maison Pierre Frey.

Ladies luxury lunch at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide! An absolutely stunning Provençal Palace in the heart of Luberon, this is a 5-star hotel with spa, pools, restaurants and a kids club to get some adult time together. This is a true fairy tale Provencal gem, suspended between heaven and earth containing five refined restaurants. This 16th-century maison perched in the mediaeval hilltop village of Gordes features the stunning terraces, lush gardens and magical panorama of lavender fields. La Bastide de Gordes hotel exudes the timeless charm of living like royalty. Unfortunately the medieval village was in the midst of renovations so exploring wasn’t an option as most roads were closed however none of us wanted to leave…
Absolutely stunning photo of Gordes, France that I took with my shiny new Nikon.
The countryside of Gordes, France fresh after some rainfall.
The street entrance to Airelles in Gordes, France. You can see the road sign signifying no entry to the town as there was a lot of construction. We were only allowed in because of our French driver Sophie and prearranged plans.
If you see this car around Gordes, France, it is part of the Airelles vibe – and Instagram.
I literally was taking photos like a man woman in Gordes, France. This was looking down the street before we entered Airelles Gordes, La Bastide.
Walking inside the lobby, it was buzzing and best seen in the video at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide.
I was anxious for that view again at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide.
A better view of the lobby in velvet at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide.
This setup and design is totally my style at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide. The colors, textures and drip is impeccable.
A real knight’s armor at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide. Remember we are in France in a different era here.

Into the lunch space at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide.
Our table at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide. I was on the couch with another guest and it was not ideal for my bad back and hip. I did test out other areas and all was well, they have larger couches and chairs as well.
This would be perfect for ladies lunch for two at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide. Those views are just amazing!
I was buzzing around this beautiful palace at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide.
The official name is La Table de la Bastide at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide. Led by Chef Pierre Marty, it offers flavors of Provence.
First some amuse bouche meant to amuse the mouth at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide. Light pastry puffs and delicious tar tar were lovely.
Mocktails – and non-alcoholic “champagne” – are available in France nowadays at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide. For an American, it is hard to drink wine with every meal and still function so this was good to see.
But in my case, I was so excited to have champagne in this impeccable setting at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide.
It’s almost as beautiful with its bubbles as the view at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide. Having rose champagne in a palace – pinch me! We soon enjoyed our drinks, went out on the balcony to cherish the views and returned to our lunch. Plan at least two hours per meal.
In every direction, just stunning at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide.
The engagement table has its own corner at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide.
Looking back at the building of Airelles Gordes, La Bastide.
Imagine being a lord and looking over your land like this at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide.
A father and child were soon enjoying the swimming pool at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide.
Back inside, the food had arrived at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide. This was a starter, a frothy foamy chilled soup style of some sort and it was delightful with the champagne. I also appreciated the chip in the bowl, it reminds me that there is still beauty in imperfections.
For my entree (appetizer in French), I enjoyed the candied apple tartlet with Kristal caviar at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide. Normally I do not like caviar however with a creamy accompaniment, I find it delightful. Paired with the sweeter rose champagne, complete perfection in taste and presentation.
A champagne sauce that pulled the Turbot filet and spinach together perfectly at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide.
Our LA gal was having a hard time finding vegetarian food but not a problem at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide. We all picked at the french fries… at almost every meal.
We were buzzing around again after dinner capturing the fabric of the wallpaper at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide.
A bit of a crooked selfie that I think I got some eye rolls for taking but I really don’t care at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide. You will never be this young again at this place and time taken and that is the beauty of photography.
I went back out to marvel again at the views at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide.
In the distance, wood fire piles were burning nearby at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide.
Between the sunshine and champagne, it was just glorious at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide. That’s the engagement table to the right.
My couch mate enjoyed the fig puff pastry with sweet spiced sorbet at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide. There was chocolate soufflé however it would have taken a half hour to bake fresh and we were on a tight schedule.
The light making my iced vacherin (French ice cream cake) with lemon and verbena very dramatic, very fresh and delicious at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide.
A pot of green tea with rose hit the spot after dessert at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide.
And some crème brĂ»lĂ©e finger snacks before we left for our tour of Airelles Gordes, La Bastide. The French will feed you – too much even but it’s part of the culture and I’m here for it… occasionally.
We started out with touring the spa at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide.
French perfume is everywhere at the spa at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide.
More perfumes available at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide. The building is also built into the foundation and rock as you can see to the left.
The indoor swimming pool at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide.
Obsessed with both the wallpaper and the accent light at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide.
Even the hallway chairs were era appropriate at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide.
Outside seating available at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide.
The lawn was all real at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide. Imagine the upkeep!
A hallway of arches at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide.
Another Nikon selfie because why not at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide. Ruining my outfit was sneakers but also providing all this content to save my back, neck and hip! Next we went on a room tour.
One of the many rooms at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide.
A soaking tub made for adults at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide.
A shower if needed as well at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide.
Even the sink mirror is a vibe at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide.
The hallway at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide with the shining hardwood floors.
Even above the beds, era artwork hangs at We went on a room tour to peek inside at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide.
Down another hallway we went at We went on a room tour to peek inside at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide.
And popped out to yet another dining area at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide.
My eyes taking in all the rich textures and decor at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide.
Even the bar is decorated with marble accents at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide and the men in era attire.
Yet another restaurant where Emily in Paris was filmed at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide.
These almost look unreal but are a sugar dessert at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide and was very hard not to taste one – or three.
Inside where Emily in Paris filmed at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide.
Another view of the interior at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide.
And last but not least, the balcony patio at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide. Absolutely stunning and memorable experience and I would love to return! All the gals were saying we should spend the night here and I agreed.

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