Provencal Escape: Le Prieuré La Madelène B&B is a Secluded Paradise

The drive to Le Prieuré La Madelène Bed and Breakfast passes through Southern Rhône wine country and its famous villages. A pastoral landscape still surrounds what was once a 12th-century Benedictine priory. Fully renovated, this B&B is a quiet place to set aside your busy schedule and enjoy a Provencal escape. While the pool at Le Prieuré is a tempting way to spend the day, this B&B is well-situated for those who want to explore the Vaucluse and beyond. Below, we revisit why this part of Provence is worth a visit and a terrific choice for a holiday base.

However, don’t just take our word for it. We asked the pros, Sue Aran, the founder of French Country Adventures, and Karen Moore of Travels with Djuna, why they choose Le Prieuré La Madelène for their group tours in Provence.

Provencal Escape: Le Prieuré

Located in the northern end of the Vaucluse, Le Prieuré La Madelène is a good choice for couples, families, and groups. The accommodation includes five (5) guest bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms and a private cottage (gîte). Each morning, the owners (Bruno and Olivier) serve a tempting breakfast spread and are happy to help with suggestions for exploring the region. Some of the most recognizable Provencal villages are only a few minutes from the B&B. Cyclists are familiar with Malaucène, one of the three departure points for climbing Mont Ventoux. The town has a great selection of restaurants for those who prefer not to peddle up this iconic mountain.

Restaurants in Malaucène

What criteria are important when selecting a location for your French Country Adventures tour groups? Proximity to a village with more than one restaurant and/or food service available at the accommodation. Outdoor or interior spaces that are conducive to relaxation.

Provencal Villages

51 communes surround Mont Ventoux. While all the villages share the same geography and historical background, each town is unique and worth visiting. The perched villages such as Crillon-le-Brave, Le Barroux, Sault, and Séguret (a plus Beaux Villages de France) provide a glimpse of the realities of living in the region during the Middle Ages when you needed to defend against your enemies.

One of the larger towns in the area, Vaison-la-Romaine, is split into two sections by the Ouvèze River. The village has many amenities, including bakeries, banks, butchers, cafés, restaurants, groceries, wine shops, hairdressers, and a cinema. Market day in Vaison-la-Romaine is on Tuesday mornings, with more than 400 stands throughout the village. This makes it a favoured location for ex-pats and a popular tourist destination. A visit to Vaison-la-Romaine is a tour through 2000 years of history – from the stone bridge built by the Romans in the 1st century to the buildings constructed in the medieval period to today.

Le Prieuré La Madelène is a quiet location, but there is plenty to do and see nearby. Can you share a few highlights from your Edible Provence tour? Vaison la Romaine is 15 minutes away, with an outstanding farmers’ market and Roman ruins. Séguret, Sablet, Les Barroux, and Gigondas are small but charming hilltop villages with exceptional wineries. Bédoin has a wonderful Monday farmers’ market with a handful of superb restaurants.

Visit Wine Country

If you like French wine, there is a good chance that you have sampled some vintages from the Rhône Valley. Some vineyards in the southern Rhône are near the famous Mont Ventoux. Côtes du Ventoux vineyards achieved AOC status in 1973 for their winemaking expertise. In 2010, Côtes du Ventoux was rebranded as AOC Ventoux. 6,700 hectares of vines are cultivated in this area of the Southern Rhône Valley. The region is divided into three distinct parts, from north to south: the Malaucène basin, the Carpentras amphitheatre, and the southern section, which is closest to the Luberon vineyards.

6 Rhône Valley Wine Villages to Visit

The Property

Hidden from view behind large umbrella pines, the Priory reveals its charms: a courtyard, a plane tree, the fountain and the swimming pool all frame the countryside vistas. Once the property of the writer Marie Cardinal, this 12th-century Benedictine building is steeped in history. Agricultural lands surround le Prieuré La Madelène with cherry and apricot orchards, olive trees, and the southern Rhône’s famous vineyards.

Whether you visit Provence to explore the region, for pure relaxation, or for a seminar, this bed and breakfast is an excellent choice. While you decide on your itinerary for the day, you can enjoy a delicious breakfast at Le Prieuré La Madelène. It is served on the terrace under the leafy canopy of plane trees or in the cozy salon if the weather is unseasonable. As demand permits, they offer charcuterie boards with local cheese and cold cuts on Friday evenings.

Book Your Room at this B&B!

You have brought your Edible Provence guests to Le Prieuré La Madelène for over three years. The first time was a last-minute decision due to a booking error at a small hotel nearby. What is it about this B&B that makes you want to return? I was smitten after I met the hosts (Bruno and Olivier) and saw the Priory. On some days, it’s a long distance from where we visit, but it’s worth the extra travel time, and the owners couldn’t be nicer. Le Prieuré is beautiful and quiet.

Edible Provence Tours

Typically, the owners serve breakfast at the B&B, but will they accommodate requests for other meals or special events (e.g., wine tasting)? Yes. They will also accommodate special dietary restrictions, serving gluten-free and vegetarian meals. This year, they also hosted a cooking class, which was a marvellously convivial experience.

During your tours, do you coordinate any “Travels with Djuna” evenings at the property? Bruno and Olivier have helped us plan dinners on-site for 10 of our 12 nights at Le Prieuré. The first year was wonderful, and the second was fantastic. They understood the “vibe” we were after for our guests (12-13 is our maximum) and worked very hard to create some wonderful and delicious dinner experiences at the property.

Meet the Owners

Bruno and Olivier Pastoret-Stefanuto changed careers and purchased the property in 2020. Combining their experience in the service industry, Bruno (Appart’Ambiance rental apartments) and Olivier (purser for Air France) searched for a property they could turn into an exclusive bed and breakfast. After exploring other regions in France, they began searching in Provence and Le Prieuré La Madelène. The property ticked all the boxes for their next adventure in tourism-focused hospitality.

What is your favourite thing about the property? My first answer would have to be Bruno and Olivier. They have been amazing in their willingness to move beyond their original business model and work with us to create the perfect experience for our Djuna guests. I love everything about the property. The house is beautiful and well-kept, and the grounds are gorgeous, as are the views. The location works perfectly for our planned itineraries. The rooms are very nice with comfortable beds; the pool area is beautiful, and cleanliness is superb. I am not sure what else I can say!

Carolyne Kauser-Abbott

With her camera and laptop close at hand, Carolyne has traded in her business suits for the world of freelance writing and blogging. Her first airplane ride at six months of age was her introduction to the exciting world of travel.

While in Provence, Carolyne can be found hiking with friends, riding the hills around the Alpilles or tackling Mont Ventoux. Her attachment to the region resonates in Perfectly Provence this digital magazine that she launched in 2014. This website is an opportunity to explore the best of the Mediterranean lifestyle (food & wine, places to stay, expat stories, books on the region, travel tips, real estate tips and more), through our contributors' articles.

Carolyne writes a food and travel blog Ginger and Nutmeg. Carolyne’s freelance articles can be found in Global Living Magazine, Avenue Magazine and City Palate (Published Travel Articles).