AT THE BASTIDE
Welcome to Fontaine des Magnarelles
Where does the name of our Bastide come from?
A bit of history to understand!
We are located in the Comtat Venaissin, a former papal county that numerous medieval farms and ecclesiastical organizations irrigated and transformed into a verdant region, characterized by its market gardens, orchards, vines and lavender. Its hydrographic network is animated by the many small Sorgues, called Sorguettes (small watercourses). The surrounding villages have managed to preserve the atmosphere of ancient times, and have kept the many fountains which once constituted places of life and meetings.
And a bit of geography too!
Our name is also a nod to the village of Fontaine de Vaucluse, which gave its name to the department and whose resurgence, a natural fountain more than 300 m deep where the Sorgue is born, makes it a unique place in the world.
And finally a bit of economy!
Our bastide was built towards the end of the 18th century during the development of silk production in Provence. The magnaneries, surrounded by mulberry trees, carried out the breeding of silkworms, thanks to the good care of the Magnarelles who were then the mistresses of the place.
Nous sommes situés dans le Comtat Venaissin, ancien Comté papal que les nombreuses fermes et organisations ecclésiastiques médiévales ont irrigué et transformé en région verdoyante, caractérisée par ses maraîchages, ses vergers, ses vignes et ses lavandes. Son réseau hydrographique est animé par les nombreuses petites Sorgues, appelées les Sorguettes (petits cours d'eau). Les villages alentours ont su conserver l'ambiance des temps anciens, et ont gardé les nombreuses fontaines qui jadis constituaient des lieux de vie et de rencontres.
Et un peu de géographie aussi !
Notre nom est également un clin d’oeil au village de Fontaine de Vaucluse, qui a donné son nom au département et dont la résurgence, fontaine naturelle de plus de 300 m de profondeur où nait la Sorgue, en fait un lieu unique au monde.
Et enfin un peu d’économie !
Notre bastide a été construite vers la fin du XVIIIème siècle lors du développement de la production de la soie en Provence. Les magnaneries, entourées de mûriers, réalisaient l’élevage des vers à soie, grâce aux bons soins des magnarelles qui étaient alors les maîtresses des lieux.
Chantal & Jean-François
Our beloved mascot
Who are we?
Our love for Provence dates back to our early childhood, having both grown up in the region. However, our professional activities have led us to live in different regions of France as well as abroad, but it is with our native Provence that we have come to find the azure blue sky and the soft sun which accompany many months of the year.
After starting our professional careers in scientific fields, we evolved towards activities focused on human relations, as a teacher and as a team and client manager, to decide in 2017 to make our passions our profession: hospitality, cooking and well-being in Provence!
For this, we have completed our respective training at the Avignon hotel school, and in a course approved by the French Federation of Wellness Massage.
Today, the pleasure of living among a smiling population with a singing accent, to the rhythm of the markets and their local products, allows us to share good moments of conviviality with our guests, far from stress and the density of large cities.
Throughout your stay, we will be attentive to your comfort and your well-being.
We speak English and will be happy to talk with our non-French-speaking hosts ... sometimes with the help of hands!
Notre amour pour la Provence remonte à notre tendre enfance, ayant tous les deux grandis dans la région. Cependant, nos activités professionnelles nous ont amenés à vivre dans différentes régions de France ainsi qu'à l’étranger, mais c’est auprès de notre Provence natale que nous sommes venus retrouver le ciel bleu azur et le doux soleil qui accompagnent de nombreux mois de l’année. Après avoir démarré nos carrières professionnelles dans des domaines scientifiques, nous avons évolué vers des activités tournées vers la relation humaine, en tant qu'enseignante et en tant que gestionnaire d'équipe et de clients, pour décider en 2017 de faire de nos passions notre métier : l'accueil, la cuisine et le bien-être en Provence ! Pour cela, nous avons complété nos formations respectives à l'école hôtelière d'Avignon, et dans un cursus agréé par la Fédération française du massage bien-être. Aujourd'hui, le plaisir de vivre au sein d’une population souriante à l’accent chantant, au rythme des marchés et de leurs produits du terroir, nous permet de partager de bons moments de convivialité avec nos hôtes, loin du stress et de la densité des grandes villes. Tout au long de votre séjour, nous serons attentifs à votre confort et à votre bien-être. Nous parlons anglais et aurons plaisir à échanger avec nos hôtes non francophones ...parfois avec l’aide des mains !
LA TABLE DES MAGNARELLES
For your breakfasts
The breakfast, prepared with care with local seasonal products, makes you start the day with full energy.
Its composition varies with the seasons to guarantee freshness and flavor.
Fresh fruit juice or salad, sweet and savory regional specialties come to tickle your taste buds after tasting breads with various flours, including those for gluten intolerant people!
Breakfast is served every morning on the terrace between 8:30 and 10:00.
For your dinners
Our cuisine is Provençal and our products come primarily from Vaucluse.
A message is sent to our guests the week before their stay to allow them to book the desired dinnerssaccording to the proposed schedule.
La Table des Magnarelles offers 3 options :
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The Ardoise du Terroir, to enjoy on your own, as a couple or a family, or to share with other guests.
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Served on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7.30pm
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A full meal including homemade spreads, cooked vegetables, raw vegetables, cold meats, cheese, homemade dessert, glass of wine, coffee or tea.
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Please order at least 48 hours in advance.
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The Assiette du Comtat, to enjoy on your own, with two or more friends, or to share around one of our large tables.
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Served Sundays, Mondays and Fridays at 7.30pm
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A cold salty plate of homemade spreads, charcuterie and local cheeses. The plate can be complemented by a catered dessert in our jars or an ice cream.
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Order at least 24 hours in advance.
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The Catering Jars, for self-service meals
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100% home-made in a traditional preserve in the Vaucluse,
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Local and rigorously selected products
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Choice of several starters, main courses and desserts
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Choose, Reheat, Taste!
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See our rates.
Meals are served on the terrace under the arbor, or in the garden furniture in the meadow, or if the weather is capricious, in the large reception room for guests.
Outside, to respect the calm of the place, the guests and the neighborhood, noise is no longer authorized after 10 p.m.
For your other meals
- A kitchen is at your disposal in the guest lounge for the preparation of your meals (excluding table d'hôte evenings)
- A plancha is available in the garden
We offer you for all your meals taken on site a selection of Organic wines from Vaucluse at cellar price and from local beers.We have a liquor license, therefore the consumption of beer and wine purchased from outside is not allowed.
A mini bar of soft drinks is available in the Pool House.
Restaurants around
- In Althen, 3 minutes by car, a gourmet restaurant, and in the center of the village, a family bistro and a pizzeria, offer you a variety of specialities.
- In the surrounding area, many restaurants will delight you, a selection of which is available in the guest lounge.
We can, if you wish, advise you according to your desires.
SWIMMING POOL & BUBBLE SPA
For your relaxation:
If the gentle trickling of the fountain is not enough to refresh you on long summer days, our swimming pool (8 X 4 m) welcomes you for a moment of relaxation.
A bubble cover saves a few degrees thanks to solar energy at the start and end of the season.
The Spa à Bulles , heated and sheltered, will complete your well-being wishes by reservation for 30-minute sessions
Deckchairs, pool towels (provided in each room), pool house lounge and mini-bar are at your disposal.
Swimming pool open from mid-April to the end of September - Freely accessible from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Bubble spa open from April 1 to May 31 and from September 15 to October 30 - Access from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. - See price
In accordance with the law, access to the property and facilities is exclusively reserved for guests staying with us.
THE PARK
In the 3000 m2 of the park, under the kiosk, or under the lime tree, the mulberry tree, the walnut trees or the olive trees, there is always a little quiet corner where you can enjoy the pleasure of reading or resting!
The shaded terrace is at your disposal to relax and, if you do not wish to go out for lunch or dinner, take your meals there.
A private car park is at your disposal inside our small fully enclosed park; access through the portal is by means of a code.