Tourrettes, France
Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort
Rustic Provencal inn sans the roughing it
What it is
A family- and golfer-friendly resort in a quiet corner of Provence.
What it isn't
An intimate countryside inn.
What we think
Once Sean Connery’s private estate in the quiet Var region of Provence, Terre Blanche became a resort property in 2010 and was managed by Four Seasons until 2012. A sprawling 750-acre development, it uses local red clay, stone, and natural wood to blend harmoniously with the surrounding countryside. But you won’t mistake this for a historic hotel: the whole place—all 115 suites and villas, the 34,000-square-foot spa, the four restaurants, and two 18-hole championship golf courses—has the whiff of the new and the expensively built. Villas are done in sun-baked warm tones, with tiled floors, sumptuous area rug, and huge terraces that overlook the golf course. Prestige Villas have a Jacuzzi or pool on the terrace. The spa is a major draw, housed in a two-level villa that’s grand from the first step inside: marble columns soar to the ceiling and a wall of green glass divides the foyer from the enormous indoor pool and 14 treatment rooms, where local flowers and oils are pressed into service. Golfers will enjoy not just the two Dave Thomas–designed courses but also the training center with the Terre Blanche Golf Academy, which uses high-tech devices to analyze and perfect your stance and swing. Children won’t be bored either, with a dedicated kids’ club with facilities for different ages plus a separate pool.
You're here because
You want an essential Provençal experience but have many constituents to keep happy (golfers, spa-goers, foodies, kids, culture hounds).
The Moment
After a morning spent with a golf coach, whose machinery clicked and whirred to show you how to improve your swing, you head over to the Chateau course and get ready to tee off, surrounded by the forests and mountains of Provence.
Restaurants & Bars
Le Gaudina - Casual restaurant offering all-day service.
Les Caroubiers - Restaurant and bar at the golf clubhouse offering beautiful views over the golf course.
Le Faventia - One Michelin-star fine-dining restaurant serving contemporary Mediterranean cuisine (open for dinner, from April to October)
Le Tousco - Casual restaurant located by the outdoor pool, open during the summer.
Location
Quiet but central: the closest significant town, Fayence, is a ten-minute drive. Cannes is about half an hour away and St. Tropez more like 90 minutes. You’re also within striking distance of the perfume center of Grasse and the gorges of Verdon. Nice airport is 45 minutes from the resort.