Hôtel Les Roches - New Hotel in Le Lavandou, France

A Secluded Riviera Setting Overlooking the Mediterranean

Anchored on the wild coastline of Aiguebelle in Le Lavandou, Hôtel Les Roches occupies one of the most spectacular positions on the French Riviera, facing the crystalline waters of the Mediterranean and the legendary Îles d’Or. Hidden between pine covered hills and rocky coves, the hotel feels almost suspended above the sea, like a vessel permanently anchored to the coastline. The surrounding landscape remains remarkably preserved compared to other parts of the Côte d’Azur, offering a quieter and more authentic atmosphere where nature still dominates the rhythm of daily life. Nearby, the timeless village of Bormes les Mimosas, the island of Porquerolles, and the untouched beauty of Port Cros reinforce the sensation of escaping into one of the Riviera’s last protected sanctuaries.

A Legendary Riviera Address Reimagined

Originally opened in the 1930s, Hôtel Les Roches has long been a discreet refuge for artists, intellectuals, and members of the international elite drawn to the understated elegance of the French Riviera before mass tourism transformed the coastline. In Summer 2025, the iconic property entered a new era under the vision of Les Barmes de l’Ours, the celebrated five star hotel in Val d’Isère, becoming its Mediterranean summer counterpart. The rebirth of the property was entrusted to architect Jean Baptiste Pietri, whose intervention carefully preserves the spirit of the original building while introducing a more contemporary and architectural interpretation of Riviera hospitality. The hotel now joins the prestigious Relais & Châteaux collection, reinforcing its positioning as an intimate luxury retreat defined by refinement, discretion, and emotional connection to place.

Architecture Inspired by the Sea and Mediterranean Modernism

The architectural identity of Hôtel Les Roches is deeply shaped by its relationship with the sea. Conceived almost like a “boat hotel” facing the horizon, the structure unfolds through clean horizontal lines, expansive openings, and mineral textures that blend naturally into the rocky Mediterranean landscape. Jean Baptiste Pietri’s design combines raw stone, terrazzo, noble woods, and exposed concrete to create a restrained yet deeply tactile atmosphere inspired by both coastal modernism and nautical design. Interiors feel luminous and calming, constantly opening toward the sea through panoramic windows and expansive terraces. The overall aesthetic avoids Riviera excess in favor of a softer, more timeless sophistication where natural light and surrounding scenery become the true protagonists of the experience.

Mediterranean Rooms and Suites Designed Like Ocean Cabins

Hôtel Les Roches features 33 rooms and 7 suites, all entirely oriented toward the Mediterranean, ensuring uninterrupted sea views and natural light throughout the day. The accommodations are divided into two distinct atmospheres, each inspired by the property’s intimate connection with the water. Some rooms, positioned closest to the sea, are conceived almost like elegant boat cabins, structured around dramatic stone arches that create a cocooning and mineral feeling. Others, located on the upper floors, open widely onto the horizon through expansive bay windows, offering a sensation of floating above the coastline. The interiors blend terrazzo, warm woods, and raw concrete within a palette of soft Mediterranean neutrals, creating spaces that feel simultaneously contemporary and timeless. Ranging from 30 to 60 square meters, the rooms prioritize calmness, texture, and immersion within the surrounding landscape.

Refined Gastronomy Facing the Sea

Dining at Hôtel Les Roches unfolds across several distinct culinary experiences, all united by a strong connection to Mediterranean terroir and coastal living. The gastronomic restaurant L’Oursin, led by chefs Antoine Gras and Benoît Gornard, recently earned a Michelin star for its refined Mediterranean cuisine shaped by seasonal ingredients and exceptional sea views. The culinary approach feels precise yet emotional, celebrating the flavors of Provence through elegant contemporary compositions. Wine director Magali Delalex, named Best Sommelier of the Michelin Guide 2024, curates an exceptional cellar inspired by Mediterranean gastronomy and Provençal vineyards. Elsewhere, La Langouste sur le Toit offers a warmer and more convivial atmosphere dedicated to generous seafood sharing plates enjoyed against the backdrop of the Îles d’Or, while the poolside Bar des Roches serves cocktails and light dishes in a relaxed open air setting suspended above the water.

A Sisley Spa Suspended Between Sky and Sea

Perched above the Mediterranean, Spa L’Oiseau Bleu introduces a wellness sanctuary entirely dedicated to reconnection and relaxation. Developed in partnership with Sisley, the 400 square meter spa combines expert treatments with a holistic approach inspired by the surrounding sea air, Mediterranean light, and local botanical scents. The facilities include treatment cabins, an indoor pool with counter current swimming, sensory showers, sauna, hammam, jacuzzi, yoga studio, fitness room, and hair salon, all facing the sea and the islands of Levant and Port Cros. Outside, the hotel’s spectacular 16 meter panoramic pool appears to merge directly into the horizon, reinforcing the sensation of floating between water and sky.

A New Riviera Classic Defined by Discretion and Elegance

Hôtel Les Roches captures a rarer and more timeless vision of the French Riviera, one rooted not in spectacle, but in intimacy, architecture, and the emotional power of the Mediterranean landscape. Reborn with elegance and restraint, this legendary address once again becomes a sanctuary for travelers seeking the quieter, more sophisticated side of the Côte d’Azur.

We love Hôtel Les Roches for:

– Reopened in Summer 2025 as the Mediterranean sister property of Les Barmes de l’Ours
– 40 sea facing rooms and suites inspired by nautical architecture
– Restoration led by architect Jean Baptiste Pietri blending stone, terrazzo and raw concrete
– Michelin-starred restaurant L’Oursin led by chefs Antoine Gras and Benoît Gornard
– Sisley spa with indoor pool, panoramic wellness facilities and Mediterranean sea views
– Exceptional location in Aiguebelle near Porquerolles and the preserved coastline of Le Lavandou