Designers L’Atelier Pascal Borde create new concept for L'Occitane property, Le Couvent des Minimes
by Helen Andrews | 22 May 2015
The five-star Le Couvent des Minimes Hotel & Spa, situated in the French village of Mane and housed within the walls of an ancient convent dating back to 1613, has been fully refurbished by designers L’Atelier Pascal Borde to meet the requirements of majority shareholder L’Occitane, the global skincare brand which has its origins in Provence, France.
The 46-room property in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence has reopened following the transformation of its spa into a 700sq m (7,535sq ft) Le Spa L’Occitane using a palette of yellow, brown and white. Its six treatment rooms include two doubles and there is a high-ceilinged tisanerie (tea room) at the heart of the wellness sanctuary. There are also redeveloped steambaths and a sauna.
The signature treatment at Le Couvent des Minimes' L’Occitane spa is a hot-cold verbena lemon therapy that starts with a hot scrub using Camargue salt, followed by the application of a chilled sorbet verbena body ice gel.
Speaking exclusively to CLADglobal, international spa director for L’Occitane – Helene Goetzelmann – said: “Located in the heart of Haute-Provence, not far from the L’Occitane hometown, Couvent des Minimes is a unique property that is deeply connected to the brand DNA. It is authentic, with a true soul and reminiscent of the traditions and know-how of Provence. The spa is a true flagship for the brand, illustrating our spa expertise and philosophy, using natural ingredients and ‘sensorial’ textures with expert techniques and high-efficiency formulae.”
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Other refurbishments to the property include the addition of arches and openings, as well as a large timber-structured courtyard which was created by Les Compagnons du Tour de France, a French organisation of craftsmen and artisans which dates back to the Middle Ages. Seven of the guestrooms have also been refurbished and enlarged.
The restaurants have been redesigned and expanded, while the kitchen has been fully refitted and a 75sq m (807sq ft) area has been added so guests can watch the chef at work.
There is a high-ceilinged tisanerie at the heart of the wellness sanctuary Credit: L'Occitane
Le Spa L’Occitane uses a palette of yellow, brown and white Credit: L'Occitane
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FEATURE: Interview – Helene Goetzelmann
The five-star Le Couvent des Minimes Hotel & Spa, situated in the French village of Mane and housed within the walls of an ancient convent dating back to 1613, has been fully refurbished by designers L’Atelier Pascal Borde to meet the requirements of majority shareholder L’Occitane, the global skincare brand which has its origins in Provence, France. The 46-room property in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence has reopened following the transformation of its
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