1960:s motel fantasy with a French twist in sunny Provence

Les Cabanettes / Arles / Provence / France

You know what? Time travel is possible! I know because I have done it. It happened when I entered and stayed at this motel, Les Cabanettes. It is located in the Camargue in the south of France. The Camargue is a river delta flat land with rice farms, cowboys and flamingos. Yes, I know, sounds totally bonkers but this is real.

But back to the time travel and Les Cabanettes. This hotel was built in 1969 by architect Armand Pellier who got the assignment from the Berc family. It is constructed like two half moons, both facing the sun which makes the room feel bright and open. In 2019 French-American couple Gaëlle and Aaron took over this place and brought it into the 21st century without ruining any of the heritage. They just added some contemporary elements that has married well with the 1960:s design. The result is a hotel with a friendly, relaxed and casual feel.

There are 29 rooms in total and all have their own terrace facing the garden. The style of our room was all about dark wood and patterned fabric. I love the time typical elements like a radio that was built into the head board of the bed and the original mosaic tiles in the bathroom.

Since this is a motel of course there is a pool. Actually a very cool pool which was a treat for our northern bodies when the mercury was close to 40° C. And surrounding the pool were these sleek, original sun beds. Easy to get into but trust me when I say that it was not a pretty sight when you tried to wrangle out of them, trying to keep some kind of poise but failing miserably. But worth it to live out my ‘60:s fantasy.

Welcome to Les Cabanettes, a French motel in the stunning Camargue area.

The architecture at Les Cabanettes is so impressive. This motel was built in the end of 1960:s and has been so well looked after. I applaud people that take care of old buildings like this one.

The reception area, where it feels like time has stood still.

The lobby area. Love the art work and the yellow and white board on the wall and the matching table.

This might be my favorite photo from Les Cabanettes.

Dark wood, fitted carpet and stone walls. Love this dark, sombre look.

This original, geometric wooden wall is everything.

Since the two hotel buildings are built in a half moon shape, it makes sense the the corridors are curved, letting natural light come in through glass blocks.

Our room with the time typical dark wood, patterned curtains and mustard yellow pillows.

When zooming in on the different features it is fascinating to see how interior design is cyclical. This looks like it could have been created today.

This set of furniture would look so good in our home…

The coolest feature in our room was the built in radio. This is an original feature that must have been so modern in the late ‘60:s.

The tactile wall, the vintage furniture, the art work, the carpet…

The hotel is so geometric. Every where you turn there is an interesting arch way, a curved corridor, a special column.

I lied before. If there was one thing from the hotel I wish I could bring home with me, it was this Togo vintage sofa.

Love hotels with proper keys. I am an old fashioned kind of guy that way.

These are the (in)famous sun loungers. Stunning to look at, a nightmare to get out of with any kind of dignity. Especially if wearing swimwear.

The food in the restaurant is not time typical. Instead it is a modern, international take on tapas with influences from all over. The burrata with local salt was my favorite.

M is ready for a dip in the sea at nearby Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer.

RG inside info

This place is perfect if you…

…are a nostalgic kind of person. If you are curious to experience a typical motel (like the ones you usually find in the US) but with a French twist. If you are a fan of ‘60:s interior design and you like your hotels to have an air of friendliness and relaxation and like to be surrounded by cool French hipsters, then this is totally your place.

My favorite thing about this place…

…is that Gaëlle and Aaron have managed to create a hotel firmly anchored in the ‘60:s but without becoming gimmicky, where it feels like staying in a theme park. This hotel just feels authentic. The style is 60:s but the atmosphere feels like the here and now. It warms my little hipster loving heart.

What not to miss when staying here is…

… a lot! This is such a stunning area with so much to see and do. The Camargue is a salty flat land where thousands of Flamingos nest and they share the area with the French version of cowboys. We went to the coast for a dip in the sea at the beach outside Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer which was such a treat. And also make sure to stop by Arles. A cute little town where Van Gogh resided for several years where he painted some of his most famous pieces.

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