Combining Côte d’Azur charm with contemporary Californian charm Le Mas CandilleThe latest hotel to open in the south of France.

Located just outside Mougins The hotel (once a village where poets Paul Eluard, Jean Cocteau and Christian Dior lived) is set in 4.5 hectares of land overlooking the hills of Grasse and the Caussols plateau. He joined forces with the Courtins-Clarins family to revitalize this hotel, a property that attracted entrepreneur Jean-Philippe Cartier; While preserving its original charm, it also added a contemporary appeal thanks to its interior design. Hugo Toro.

After all, the founder of Jean-Philippe Cartier H8 Collection The hotel group is known for showcasing and breathing new life into French heritage properties, with a portfolio that includes Hôtel Mont Blanc, Vieux Castillon, Castel Beau Site and Les Hauts de Loire.

Regarding its commitment to the hotel and preserving its French heritage, Cartier says: “I purchased the Le Mas Candille hotel, an iconic property located in Mougins, in 2021, and during my stay at this extraordinary hotel nearly ten years ago, I had a real affection for the place.

It continues: “This gem of a hotel is located in an idyllic setting just a few kilometers from Cannes and the Croisette and twenty minutes from Nice Airport; “Thanks to the talent of architect Hugo Toro, who perfectly understood the location and our shared vision, it had all the assets to become one of the most iconic hotels on the French Riviera.”

On preserving its heritage, Cartier explains: “Recognizing the importance of preserving the originality and elegance of this place, I partnered with the Courtin Clarins Family, known for their expertise in the beauty and wellness sectors. Together we developed an extraordinary spa offer called ‘The Glow House’. Together, this is our aim.” “To make the extraordinary resort an indispensable destination on the Côte d’Azur and one of the luxury hotel projects that best represents French elegance.”

Open year-round thanks to 3,500 hours of sunlight, the hotel is home to 46 guest rooms and suites with a retro color palette of yellow and green, pink Norwegian marble bathrooms, and finished with carefully sourced antiques.

This aesthetic continues throughout the property, such as the library filled with old books, padded benches, vintage lamps, and round wrought-iron chairs on the terraces.

The accommodation includes two restaurants and bars, one with a pool, and a newly built bar. 100 m2 retro Orangerie, which serves as an event space and a kids’ club in the summer months.

Led by Chief Romain Antonethe culinary presentation is inspired by the Mediterranean; For lunch, the poolside restaurant serves shared dishes with highlights such as “real” Niçoise salad, sea bream ceviche, grilled octopus salad and bluefin tuna. In the evenings, this restaurant transforms into the Poolside Grill, serving a menu of fresh seafood and locally sourced grilled meats from Sète and Marseille, complete with candles, soft lights and live music.

Located opposite the main farmhouse and open only at night, the hotel’s gourmet restaurant, La Table des Pins, also serves Mediterranean-themed dishes. You can enjoy it on the terrace surrounded by fragrant pine trees.

Le Mas Candille hosts a wellness area in the form of ‘The Glow House’, and this spa by Clarins consists of a 25-meter heated indoor/outdoor pool, hammam and sauna.

led by Prisca CourtinChairman of the Supervisory Board of Clarins and Director of Famille C Participations, the investment structure of the Courtin family, says about the transition to the hotel industry: “It was our meeting with Jean Philippe Cartier that led to the emergence of the Mas Candille concept. The first project of the hotel industry. Together with him, we wanted to create a unique space with a brand new spa concept designed specifically for this hotel: Clarins Glitter House.”

Prisca continues: “This new breed of spa reinvents wellness treatment. Radiance and well-being are inseparable. Both require a holistic approach where cosmetic care, fitness and nutrition come together. This is exactly the spirit of The Glow House.” “The result is spectacular and demonstrates the importance of the alliance between beauty and wellness that has been at the heart of our philosophy for 70 years.”

Hugo Toro, whose previous projects include renovations Villa Albertine in New York and Midland Dining Room London’s St Pancras Station shares more about the hotel’s design story.

FC: How would you describe the look and feel of the hotel?

HT: The universe is warm and colorful. In fact, I wanted an aesthetic that was consistent with eclectic styles. The place starts with the garden, which is located on a land of several hectares, where there are many buildings with different functions. My goal was to create a unique place. From the patterns I personally design to the furniture, everything is almost personalized. The headboards feature woodwork that contrasts with the colorful limewashed walls for a sunny touch. The references are Mediterranean, mixed with Californian touches. Indeed, situated above Mougins and the old village, the property offers an impressive view of Grasse, reminiscent of a Hollywood hilltop villa. All lighting was designed to create a warm atmosphere using materials such as ceramics, marble and natural fibers.

FC: How did you maintain the hotel’s charm while updating it?

HT: We respected this sleeping beauty. It was a place with tremendous potential but lacked consistency. Thus, I created a new circulation and new volumes, such as the Clarins Spa, a newly constructed building with a 25-meter semi-indoor swimming pool that can be used both in summer and winter. The bar also had a green ceramic fireplace. Everything but this element has been eliminated, with ceramic frames of the same color as well as green fibres, textiles and custom furniture forming the basis of a creation around green.

FC: Can you tell us about the color palette throughout the facility?

HT: Colors are sunny and warm, emphasized by textures. The walls are enriched with Provençal yellow and pink tones, accentuated with graphic stones such as dark oak wood and pink marble in the bathrooms, adding freshness. The hotel is also dotted with white woodwork. The garden also adds color and the relationship between inside and outside is essential.

FC: What are your favorite design aspects of the hotel?

HT: I enjoyed designing furniture; The pieces gave a nod to the past while also bringing them up to date with dramatic headboards and custom fabrics to create a unique space. Common areas are also important; I love the library or cigar room with unique rugs that combine custom rugs and antique furniture. The restaurant’s pool house, with its yellow fabric-covered walls, was also designed by me and features a Mediterranean motif mixed with a more psychedelic look, inspired by my grandparents’ house in the South of France. What I really appreciate is this diversity of references, creating a stylish and inspiring patchwork of narratives.

Location

Nice-Côte d’Azur Airport is 30 km away, approximately 30 minutes by taxi. British Airways Flights from London Heathrow to Nice start from £38 one way, including taxes and fees.

Book

Book with: mascandille.com. Prices start from €490.00.

Address: Le Mas Candille, 172, Clément Rebuffel Boulevard 06250 Mougins