Bains Gardians
Barefoot luxury meets bohemian-Parisian. Think sand-dusted feet, a cocktail at the pool bar, then a massage followed by a late-night gypsy concert. Eco-responsible and rewilded but not earnest about it — the vibe is relaxed and a little festive.
Book the restaurant well in advance — it's a regional institution and fills up, especially on summer weekends
Why It Matters
The second hospitality project of film producer-turned-hotelier Jean-Pierre Marois. It takes the DNA of Les Bains Paris — that mix of wellness, art, music, and understated glamour — and drops it into one of France's most raw, untouched landscapes. The Clef Verte eco-label certification, 18-month estate rewilding, and interiors by Hauvette & Madani set it apart from standard Provence countryside hotels.
Les Bains Gardians is the Camargue outpost of the legendary Les Bains Paris — a 4-hectare nature resort set within a protected zone near Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. Around 50 of the 67 keys are authentic thatched gardian cottages, each whitewashed and facing water, redesigned by Paris duo Hauvette & Madani who stripped everything back to raw beauty. The estate is car-free, has 25 resident horses, two pools, a spa, private arenas, and a semi-gastronomic restaurant that doubles as an event venue with DJ sets and gypsy concerts. Owner Jean-Pierre Marois (who revived Les Bains Paris in 2015) calls it 'conscious hedonism' — and it mostly delivers on that.
Where You'll Stay
7 room types available
Cavalière Bedroom
A 24m² bedroom within the traditional mas (farmhouse) sleeping 2–3 guests. Located in the historic building rather than a standalone cottage, with a private terrace. Part of the rooms that overlook the ponds from the farmhouse building. The interiors follow the same Hauvette & Madani treatment — Camargue crosses over the headboards, checked wool blankets referencing saddle cloths.
24 sqmCavalière Cottage
A 20m² cottage sleeping up to 2 guests in the Cavalière section of the estate. Same thatched gardian architecture with private terrace and the estate's signature rustic interiors. A slight variation on the Gardian cottages — aimed at couples looking for a more intimate position on the grounds.
20 sqmGardian Cosy Cottage
The entry-level gardian cottage: a 20m² whitewashed thatched cabin built in traditional Camargue style. Interiors stripped back by Hauvette & Madani into something vintage rustic-pop. Bed tucked under the rounded reed roof, private terrace facing horses or ponds, and a Marshall Bluetooth speaker to soundtrack the marshes. Compact but purposeful — these were working cowboy huts, not hotel rooms, and that distinction is the point.
20 sqmGardian Luxury Cottage
Same DNA as the Cosy cottage but 4m² larger, with presumably upgraded furnishings within the same Hauvette & Madani vintage rustic-pop aesthetic. Thatched roof, white walls, private terrace with water or horse views. The extra space makes a real difference in a property where rooms are intentionally kept intimate.
24 sqm
Gardian Mezzanine Room
A 20m² room with a mezzanine level, sleeping 2 adults and 2 children — the most family-oriented of the gardian-style accommodations. The split-level layout makes use of the vertical space within the low-ceilinged gardian structure. A good call for families who want the authentic cabin experience without booking multiple rooms.
20 sqmManadier Bedroom
A 24m² farmhouse room for 2 guests. 'Manadier' refers to the livestock herder of the Camargue bull ranches, and the name carries through to the earthy, authentic style. Same standard amenities as all rooms — private terrace, mini bar, Marshall speaker — within the traditional mas building.
24 sqmMassouscles Bedroom
The largest standard room at 25m², sleeping 2–4 guests — the best option for families or those who want a little more breathing room. Within the farmhouse building. A 'massouscle' is a small mas (farmhouse) in Provençal dialect, nodding to the property's roots.
25 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
3 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Guided 4x4 excursions through the Camargue Regional Nature Park to discover the marshes, bulls, flamingos, and wild horses.
Explore the wild beaches of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer and the Camargue marshes on a Camargue horse with qualified guides. Groups of maximum 10 people, 10 horses available. All levels welcome. Pony rides for children available on the estate.
Tours of the Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer area aboard a private horse-drawn carriage pulled by Comtois mares. Discover the local flora, fauna, flamingos, and bull ponds at a slower pace.
Bring your own horse to the estate. Box or meadow, hay and water included at €49/day. Ride the open Camargue landscape together.
Pony rides available on the estate for younger guests.
A privatized guided ride for you and your group at sunrise or sunset, with the option to add a gourmet aperitif or breakfast in the Camargue. Bookable exclusively for your party.
Regular live music programming including gypsy and flamenco concerts, resident DJ sets by the pool or inside by the fireplaces in winter. Private arenas (approx. 10,000 sq ft) host exclusive events and concerts.
Mountain bikes available for exploring the flat Camargue landscape and local trails.
On-site tennis court available for guests. Table tennis also available.
A weekly institution at Le Pont des Bannes: buffet brunch with seafood workshop, BBQ, fresh pasta cooked live, and a full dessert spread for €65/person (drinks extra). A DJ set plays by the pool from noon until 6pm.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
2 rooms adapted for guests with reduced mobility.
Seven dedicated meeting rooms for corporate seminars, team building, and private events.
Daily breakfast buffet served from 7:30am to 10:30am. Includes homemade breads, pastries, local jams, cheeses, charcuterie, eggs, salmon, fresh fruit, and hot drinks. €22/person.
Approximately 10,000 sq ft of private arenas used for concerts, events, and corporate functions.
Dogs welcome throughout the estate at an additional cost.
Two outdoor pools: the iconic bean-shaped pool at Le Pont des Bannes (adults only, naturally warmed by the sun) and a second family pool with a shallow section for children. Both open daily until 7pm.
All rooms and cottages are air conditioned. The thatched reed roofs also provide natural temperature regulation.
On-site stables housing 25 resident Camargue horses (fed organic Crau hay, max 2 rides per day). Qualified guides for all levels. Pony club for children.
Holder of the Clef Verte label — the first international eco-responsible certification for tourist accommodation. Estate is a classified Protected Natural Zone with an active 'slow gardening' rewilding program.
Free secured parking at the estate entrance. The resort itself is entirely car-free — carts ferry guests and luggage to their cottages.
The entire estate is car-free. A cart service transfers guests and luggage between the car park and their cottages.
BUILD YOUR LES BAINS GARDIANS PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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