A charming and exclusive private residence, L’auberge captures to perfection the allure of rural France and combines it with the luxury of a first class resort – creating a unique hotel that has been awarded Michelin Guide Red Book status for its excellence.

Whether for a relaxing holiday break infused with the timeless spirit of a celebrated French vineyard, or as an inspired conference venue, L’auberge welcomes its guests as part of the family – promising warm service, gastronomic cuisine, a host of sporting and cultural activities and, above all, a genuine flavour of idyllic Provence.

L’auberge lies just to the north of Lorgues in the heart of the Château de Berne estate where 550 hectares of woodlands and vineyards stretch out between the Mediterranean and the Gorges du Verdon. Basking in seclusion, the estate is, nevertheless, just a short drive from the glittering shores and resorts of the Côte d’Azur.

Hotel Facilities
Bask in the Provence sunshine before a refreshing dip in the outdoor pool… Indulge in a pampering Thai massage… Challenge your skills on one of the excellent nearby golf courses… Both on the estate itself and within easy reach of L’auberge there are a myriad of activities:

• Spa
• Gymnassium
• Swimming Pool
• Golf
• Tennis
• Table Tennis
• Wine Tasting and tours
• Arts and sculptare exhibitions

Rooms: Surveying woodland and vineyards, courtyards and gardens, the views from the bedrooms at L’auberge are truly breathtaking, but turning away from these picturesque landscapes you meet with an equally inspiring scene – the warm and welcoming elegance of your private suite.

While each of the 19 suites are individually designed and decorated, they all share several common features for your comfort and convenience, including:

• Balcony or sun terrace
• Fireplace (with the exception of Origan and Jujube)
• A mini bar
• TV and stereo
• Sofas/armchairs
• Dressing table and desk
• Generous storage facilities
• Traditional Provencal hand-quilted bed covers

Dining: To dine at L’auberge is to indulge in a feast of the finest Provence flavours as fresh produce from the château’s organic gardens and delicacies from the local markets are transformed into gourmet dishes. Enjoy your meal on the terrace beneath the shade of a pergola, or in the dining room where the rustic charm of the vineyards is depicted in a hand-painted frieze arching across the wall beneath timbered beams.

Conference Facilities: L’auberge provides guests with three air-conditioned meeting rooms for 10 to 30 people, each room has natural daylight and there is also a fully-equipped business centre with internet access.

The following activities are available on site: tennis; petanques; heated outdoor swimming pool; fitness studio; table tennis; quad bikes and mountain bikes. Extra activities can be arranged on request including: golf and horse riding.

Wine Interest & Activities
Wine making has been a way of life at Château de Berne since 1750, and 80 of the estate’s 600 hectares are devoted to vineyards. Every wine is a subtle mix of nature’s influence and man’s expertise, and at Château de Berne we have perfected a balance between the two.

The composition and quality of the different soils give our grapes a unique flavour, while the expertise of our wine-makers guarantees extremely high levels of quality control.

Our vines are looked after with the greatest of care, and produce wines which are thought to be among the very best.

In achieving this, we combine age-old traditions with the finest modern technology.

To accompany the fine food, service and ambience, an inspired selection of wine is offered, including the château’s very own vintages, harvested from the traditional Provence grape varieties: Semillon, Rolle and Ugni-blanc for the whites; and Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Cabernet-Sauvignon for the reds and rosés.

The Vines: Our vines face south/southeast at an altitude of around 300m where they are exposed to an average of 3000 hours of sunshine and 650 mm of rain each year. In this prized location the vines flourish, aided by the mistral winds that remove any excess rain, dew and humidity that could damage the quality of the grapes.

White grape varieties:
Ugni Blanc, Sémillon , Rolle and Clairette

Rosé and red grape varieties:
Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvèdre, Carignan

Winery: Today, Château de Berne excels in every aspect of vine care, harvest, production, storage and appreciation.

Our excellent facilities allow us to produce 400,000 bottles in our winery and we are always delighted to welcome individual guests or groups of visitors to our working vineyards, cellars and Wine School.

Wine Tasting and tours: Winemaking has been a way of life on the estate since 1750, making Château de Berne the perfect place for wine aficionados to indulge their passion. From seed to storage, our resident experts will inspire you with talks and workshops, encompassing:

• Tours of the vineyards, cellars and wine school
• Wine tasting and appreciation
• Guidance on choosing and arranging a cellar

The Wines:

• Grande Cuvée
This full-bodied, racy wine was only produced in a single year, 1999. An extraordinary Syrah crop produced an exceptional wine.

• Cuvée Spéciale
Powerful and classic, these wines are the estate’s finest. The very best grapes are carefully selected on the vine and harvested by hand only once they have completely matured. The grape varieties chosen are known as ‘improvers’ and produce well-structured red, white and rosé wines with an impressive depth of flavour.

• Cuvée Terres de Berne
These fresh, expressive young wines are very typical of the area and are drunk at all occasions.

• Wild Pig
This delicious sparkling rosé wine is an ideal and original choice for special occasions. Its delicate bubbles reveal hints of raspberry and strawberry.

• Cuvée Justine
An typical sparkling white Provence wine, Cuvée Justine is equally appreciated as an aperitif or as a very agreeable wine to accompany food.

Location
This hotel is just north of Lorgues at the heart of the Château de Berne domain. 650 hectares of forest and grape vines between the Mediterranean and the Gorges du Verdon. Far from the restless world, this domaine is still in close proximity to the beaches of the Côte d’Azur. The hotel is only 15 km from the TGV Arcs Draguignan train station, and 80 km from Nice’s airport.