Le Couvent des Minimes Est. 2008

04300 Mane, France

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Le Couvent des Minimes
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04 92 74 77 77
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Pamper your body and soul at the acclaimed spa of this 5-star luxury hotel in France.
Jaw-dropping surroundings of the countryside, including the picturesque village of Mane, makes this family-run getaway a blessing. Plus, their gourmet food is simply divine.
The Lowdown
Type
Hotel / Resort / Spa
Views
Valley
Style
Modern
Vintage
BEST type of CELEBRATIONS
Group Getaway
Reunion
Wedding Reception

Venue Setting

The Couvent des Minimes was founded in 1613, in Mane in the modern-day French department of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, by the Marquis Melchior de Forbin Janson for the Minimes order of mendicant monks established by Saint Vincent de Paul.

Growing and studying plants was an important part of life at the Couvent at the time. Louis Feuillée, Louis XIV’s botanist, studied and wrote botanical treaties there.
During his expeditions to South America, he studied new species of plants, such as nasturtiums and fuchsias, which he brought back to France.

After the French Revolution, the Couvent des Minimes remained uninhabited until 1862, when Canon Terrasson, archpriest of Forcalquier, undertook its transformation into a hospice.

Several years later, a community of Franciscan Missionaries of Mary came to live there to look after the hospice and its residents.

Between two missions abroad, the Missionaries took care of the gardens, turning them into Provençal raised terraces where they planted fruit trees and vines. These cultures allowed them to cater for the hospice’s residents and help missionaries coming back from tropical countries to get back on their feet.

In 1999, the Missionaries left the Couvent, which was left unoccupied until its reopening as a hotel and spa in June 2008. Far from its original vocation, this residence dedicated to relaxation continues to cultivate the same welcoming spirit that has dwelled there for the last few centuries.

The Relais & Châteaux Le Couvent des Minimes Hotel & L’Occitane Spa was awarded the “Best Boutique Hotel in Europe” award at the 2009 Prix Villégiature Awards on 19 October.

Fees
(Prices listed here are estimates only & are subject to change)
Price Range

Does this include catering fees?

No

Estimated Price Per Head

from $45 to $115

Insurance

Additional Insurance Is Not Required To Host An Event Here

Capacity

Seated
120
Buffet
70
Standing
150
Celebrations Hosted Here Since
2008
Curfew
3 AM
Venue Spaces
Indoor Venue Space Only
Catering
Client Must Use The Catering Provided By The Venue
Alcohol
Provided By Venue For Fee – You Must Use The Venue For All Alcohol Services
Corkage/Bottle Fee – You Can Bring Your Own Alcohol For A Fee
Music
No Amplified Music Allowed
Smoking
Non-smoking Venue
Accommodations
38 rooms and 8 suites
Handicap Accessible
Yes
Amenities
  • Bridal Suite/Changing Rooms Onsite
  • Wifi
  • Ample Parking Onsite
  • Dining Chairs
  • Dining Tables
  • Onsite Restrooms
Venue Features
The Scene:
The Minimes! Who could imagine such a marvellous site, surrounded and protected by the Alps? The Minimes are separated from the mountains by a wide plain, which, in the spring, is covered in the most beautiful flowers. White and pink almond trees make sumptuous embellishments. Narcissuses, different coloured anemones, and white daisies peek out of the greenery, with perfumed hawthorn bushes all around.
Everything here is heavenly scented and a feast for the eyes.
Design:
Le Couvent des Minimes has preserved its past while incorporating design and contemporary touches to become an establishment in more assertive character, in perfect harmony with the modernity of our times.
Eats & Drinks
Food, Restaurants, Cafes, Bars & Lounges
Food, Restaurants, Cafes:

Le Cloître offers both conviviality and a warm welcome, a place combining a feeling of well-being with its flavours. With his expressive technique, marked by understanding and passion, Jérôme Roy intends his cooking to be gastronomic without being pretentious. Every aspect of it is important; it is honest and contemporary, and gets down to basics. The right produce is critical to any dish and its true worth shines through.
The à la carte and set menus are designed for you according to the season, in order to guarantee outstanding quality and freshness. Supplied from the Couvent gardens or by local growers, our produce is meticulously selected.


Le Pesquier presents lovers of fine food with the chance of a break that enables you to appreciate Chef Roy’s creativity.
In the comfort of its armchair lounge, this restaurant encourages you to relax in the peaceful atmosphere of Provence.
During the summer time, the Le Pesquier bistro invites you onto its terrace. Grant yourself some time away from it all, calmly sampling a drink and then a meal while enjoying the summer sunshine.
From here on you can discover our menu and let yourself be tempted by our many suggestions.

Styled Shoot
You Won’t Believe How Modern This 17th Century French Convent Is
Alyssa Brown
byAlyssa Brown
view venue profile

Le Couvent des Minimes

04300 Mane, France

 

It’s not every day that we hear about an old French convent being turned into a luxury boutique hotel, so imagine our delight when we spotted this Relais & Chateaux stunner in The Luberon. Perched at the top of town, this 17th century stone structure is surrounded by hundreds of years old gardens, originally planted by monks who specialized in botany. Fast forward a few centuries and Couvent des Minimes is a family-run hotel that operates under the Relais & Chateaux brand. As all the hotels this group touches turn to gorgeous, Couvent des Minimes is modern and luxurious, with awesome amenities and even more awesome views.

Our friends over at Nomad Republic recently set up a gorgeous photoshoot in the South of France and showed off Couvent des Minimes in all its natural beauty. This team of wedding industry pros specialize in both European and US markets, so you can bet they chose this destination out of a bevvy of stunning venues. Here to give us the scoop on all things minimal, French, and modern, they’ve given us all the deets below.

Words by Stephanie of Nomad Republic | Photography by Greg Finck

 

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