There are places that are more than a destination. The Couvent des Minimes Hôtel & Spa L’Occitane en Provence in Mane is such a place.
Nestled in the hills of Haute-Provence, sheltered from the Mistral by the Roc de Volx and surrounded by the distinctive landscape of southern France, the former monastery dating back to 1613 rises like an oasis of slowness. Where nuns once lived, a five-star retreat now combines historic architecture with contemporary design and a distinctly Provençal lightness. Originally founded in the 17th century, the convent was inhabited in the 19th century by Franciscan sisters, who, alongside their religious mission, also worked the land. It was not until 1999 that the last of the order left the site due to age.
Even today, this history remains palpable throughout the estate. Centuries-old façades, terraced gardens, and the calvary above the property preserve the spiritual aura of the place, while the clean lines of the interiors and the Mediterranean ease of the design anchor it firmly in the present.
From the very beginning, the journey itself becomes part of the experience. The roughly two-and-a-half-hour drive from Nice leads from the glittering Côte d’Azur deep into the landscape of Haute-Provence. Passing olive groves, avenues of cypress trees, and villages built from pale local stone, the atmosphere shifts with every kilometre. The roads grow quieter, the landscape expands, and the light softens. What begins as a transfer gradually unfolds into a gentle transition from the pace of the Riviera to the stillness of Provence – and thus into the first chapter of a stay defined by slowness and wellbeing.
A Spa that Brings Provence to Life
At the heart of the Couvent des Minimes lies the spa. Here, the distinctive atmosphere that defines the property is distilled most clearly. Light-filled spaces, the subtle scents of Provence, and an architecture that favours calm over spectacle create an environment in which deceleration and regeneration feel almost effortless.
The outdoor areas are particularly striking. Alongside the historic monastery gardens stretches a 15-hectare aromatic landscape, redesigned as a resource-conscious Mediterranean dry garden. Lavender, rosemary, thyme, and a wide range of herbs not only shape the scenery but also find their way into the spa rituals and the cuisine of the house. Provence is not merely observed here as a backdrop – it defines the scents, the rituals, and the very atmosphere of the property.
Between a variety of water worlds, expansive relaxation areas, and a carefully curated sauna landscape, the outside world fades noticeably into the background for a few hours. The treatments are rooted in the expertise of L’Occitane en Provence, combining botanical knowledge with contemporary wellness rituals. Even in the rooms, this sense of care continues – from the brand’s iconic products to the yoga mat placed thoughtfully at hand.
Art as an Extension of Silence
This summer, the retreat gains an additional cultural dimension. With “Contes Silencios”, multimedia artist Júlia Lema Barros expands the perception of the historic estate through an immersive layer that brings architecture, light, and sound into a delicate dialogue.
The exhibition, which opened in May, is conceived less as a traditional presentation of artworks than as an atmospheric intervention. Barros does not use the existing spaces as a backdrop, but as an integral part of her work. Visitors move through an installation that unfolds step by step, subtly shifting their perception of the place.
“I wanted to create a sensitive transition, working with transparency and harmony between space and artwork,” the artist explains. “Rather than adding something that distracts the eye, I wanted to draw attention to what is already there.”
Video via Júlia Lema Barros on YouTube
Inspired by the writings of French author Jean Giono, whose work describes Provence as a space of contemplation and duration, Barros explores the quieter dimensions of experience. Light becomes a carrier of memory, sound a landscape in itself, and silence a tangible presence.
Within the context of the Couvent des Minimes, the work reveals its particular strength. The installation does not appear as an external intervention, but as a natural continuation of the calm and attentiveness already present in the house. Walking through the historic corridors, visitors encounter the art not as observers, but as participants in an experience that places perception and mindfulness at its centre.
A New Cultural Initiative for Provence
“Contes Silencios” is also the first winning project of the Prix Cultures, a new initiative by L’Occitane en Provence in collaboration with Provence Culture. The award aims to support emerging artists who engage with contemporary interpretations of Provence and open new perspectives on the region’s cultural identity.
In doing so, L’Occitane extends its commitment beyond the world of beauty and wellness into a cultural dimension. Since its founding in 1976, the brand has stood for the botanical treasures and artisanal heritage of Provence. With the Prix Cultures, this vision now expands into contemporary art, creating new connections between landscape, culture, and way of life.
The Luxury of Attention
The result is a destination that goes far beyond the traditional idea of a spa hotel. At the Couvent des Minimes, regeneration and creativity, history and the present converge. Those who travel here discover not only one of France’s most remarkable wellness retreats, but also an exhibition that serves as a reminder of how valuable attention has become.
And perhaps it is precisely here that the true luxury of our time lies.
About L’Occitane en Provence and the Prix Cultures
Since its founding in 1976, L’Occitane en Provence has been committed to preserving and celebrating the botanical heritage and artisanal traditions of Provence. The internationally renowned beauty and wellness brand combines natural ingredients with a deep understanding of the culture and way of life of southern France.
With the Prix Cultures, created in collaboration with Provence Culture, L’Occitane extends this commitment into the field of contemporary art for the first time. The award supports emerging artists whose work offers new perspectives on Provence and reinterprets the cultural richness of the region in innovative ways. Júlia Lema Barros is the inaugural recipient of the Prix Cultures. Her project “Contes Silencios” was selected by the jury for its poetic exploration of landscape, architecture, and perception, and is presented at the Couvent des Minimes as an immersive installation.
About the Artist
Júlia Lema Barros works at the intersection of art, architecture, and perception. In her multimedia installations, she combines light, sound, and space into immersive experiences that invite viewers to engage more consciously with their surroundings. Her practice explores memory, presence, and the often overlooked qualities of a place. With “Contes Silencios”, she presents a poetic intervention at the Couvent des Minimes, bringing the historic architecture of the former monastery into a sensitive dialogue with the landscape and light of Provence.
VENUE DETAILS
Couvent des Minimes Hôtel & Spa (L’Occitane en Provence)
Chemin des jeux de Mai
04300 Mane
Tel: +33 (0)4 92 74 77 77
Web: https://www.couventdesminimes-hotelspa.com/
PHOTO CREDITS
- All photos courtesy L’Occitane en Provence / Couvent des Minimes Hôtel & Spa
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