In June, Dex and I went on a Europe trip which included a two-day visit to La Belugue, the most charming bed and breakfast in the South of France. It’s an 18th-century farmhouse with so much character — I can’t recommend it enough!
Reasons to book
- Enjoy nature
- Experience the French culture
- Take time for yourself or with loved ones
- Relax, learn, and meet others on a wellness retreat
- Create a classic Provençal meal with a cooking class
- Listen to live music at their food and wine bar (summer schedule)
The story
It sounds like a fairytale but even better since it’s a true story: La Belugue’s owners, Kelly and Philippe met serendipitously as expats on the island of Sentosa, off the coast of Singapore. They were each there for work and just so happened to become neighbors who fell in love. After spending two and a half years working and traveling around Asia, they moved to France, Philippe’s homeland.
The couple started La Belugue in 2016, and it was so inspiring hearing how it began. On the first night of our visit, we had an apero with Kelly who made us a charcuterie board. As we enjoyed it with glasses of rosé (from a local vineyard), she shared her experience about growing up in America, working a corporate career, traveling the world, then following her passion and opening La Belugue.
What makes La Belugue unique?
La Belugue means “the sparkle” in French. The B&B is the perfect place to unwind and regain your creative spirit. It’s more than just where you go to get a good night’s rest — it’s a destination within itself. The stay felt like visiting a friend’s home since the owners made us feel so welcome there.
La Belugue offers optional activities including:
- Wellness retreats: Here, you can join exclusive week-long wellness retreats focusing on topics like writing and photography. The retreats are hosted by Kelly and an expert in the field. They’ve had novelists and photographers teaching attendees at every level to hone their craft. Only eight spots are available for each retreat to keep it personal and relaxed. What’s included are workshops, cooking classes, meals, morning yoga sessions, daily excursions to local-only spots in Provence, and accommodations at La Belugue. Prices start at €4450.
- Cooking classes: The cooking classes are led by Kelly and run for three hours. You can learn how to cook traditional French meals such as Daube (a classic meat stew braised in wine), aioli (garlic that’s known as the ‘butter of Provence’), gratin (layers of finely sliced potatoes topped with a brown crust), tian (French baked vegetables), and more. Afterward, you’ll enjoy your meals at the farm table. Prices are €150 per person with a two person minimum, wine pairing included.
- Wine bar: During the summer, La Belugue also opens up its food and wine bar, La Cour, to the public on Fridays and Saturdays only. Just like the food ingredients, all the wines are sourced from local producers within the area. Dine and drink while enjoying live music like jazz, pop blues, and more.
The ambiance
If you’re looking for a quiet destination to relax yet still have an adventure in the great outdoors, this is it. The place feels rustic and cozy, surrounded by lush trees, pops of pink and red flowers, and sparkling string lights. You can just relax here, listen to the birds chirp, and take a refreshing dip in the pool.
There are three rooms (one king suite and two family suites) so it doesn’t ever feel too crowded. You’ll likely also find their two friendly dogs running around in the backyard.
The location
La Belugue is tucked in Beaumont-de-Pertuis, a quaint village in Luberon. One of the main reasons I wanted to visit the South of France was to see the lavender fields, and we saw several of them in the neighborhood. It was so magical stepping through the rows of lavender and smelling the mix of sweet, floral, and earthy scent in the air. It’s no wonder lavender is in so many beauty and wellness products — the aromatic plant gives off such a calming effect and makes me feel so relaxed!
One of the highlights of exploring the town was going to a fun community bread-making event. There was a huge oven outside and we gathered around the table to make the bread, which we later enjoyed during lunch. There’s such a heartwarming small-town feel and everyone seems to know everyone.
Dining experience
For breakfast, we enjoyed a delicious spread of freshly baked croissants, madeleines, fruits, yogurt, and fresh juices. During lunchtime, we had oysters, shrimp, barbeque, and what’s now my favorite Tarte Tropézienne, a delicious cake made with brioche dough and pearl sugar. Philippe also made specialty cocktails topped with flowers from the garden.
That night, we went to Château La Coste, a sculpture park, art center, and winery, which also has several restaurants. It’s a lively spot where locals and visitors alike hung out and listened to local musicians perform. There, we shared a bottle of rosé at La Terrasse then had dinner next door at Vanina where they served pizza cooked in wood-fired ovens. I had the mushroom pizza with thinly sliced potatoes and mozzarella — so good!
How to get to La Belugue
We updated our trip to include Paris (which I’m so glad we visited) since it was the most convenient for us to fly there first to get to La Belugue. We landed at the Charles de Gaulle Airport from New York and then took a 3.5-hour train ride to the Aix-en-Provence TGV station.
Before going on the trip, we researched transportation around Luberon, and most websites and friends mentioned it’s best to rent a car. The downside is that cabs are not as common and Ubers don’t run in the area. We decided not to rent a car since the roads are so narrow in some parts and seemed harder to navigate around, but thankfully, it worked out. At the Aix-en-Provence TGV station, we found a cab that drove us about an hour to La Belugue and back.
Connect
Book a stay at La Belugue here, but do so well in advance since it gets busy during the peak summer months! Prices start at €160 a day for the king suite and €210 a day for the family suites.
Follow @labelugue on Instagram to stay up-to-date on their latest events and, of course, pretty pictures of lavender fields when it’s in season.
La Belugue Address
37 Cr Nalin, 84120 Beaumont-de-Pertuis, France
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