The Mas
The Mas des Olives dates back to the late 17th century.
In more than three centuries, this house has lived many lives. It is said to have once been a convent, later a silk mill and finally a farmhouse surrounded by vineyards, where farm workers also lived.
It is also said that there was once a great deal of singing here. We particularly like that thought, because music is still a natural part of life at the Mas today.
There is a particular calm to the Mas. It is peaceful without being silent, lively without ever becoming loud – a place where you quickly feel at ease.
Perhaps that is precisely its charm: the Mas never imposes itself. It gives people space, allowing them to arrive and simply be themselves. It is a familiar place that you want to return to.
The garden
The garden is one of the Mas’s great treasures.
Old trees cast their shade, flowers and plants change it with the seasons, and there are little places everywhere to retreat to: to read, dream, think or simply do nothing. A chair beneath a tree, a bench in the sun, a sheltered corner – somewhere, there is always a favourite spot to be found.
Our own natural spring is something very special. Having a spring of your own in Provence is far from commonplace. To us, it is a precious gift. It supplies the garden with water and plays a large part in keeping it so green, lush and pleasantly cool, even in summer.
The garden is never quite the same. It grows, flowers and changes with the seasons. What looks so easy and natural takes a great deal of attention, patience and care. This allows it to keep evolving year after year.
It is a garden you do not simply look at.
It is a garden you live in.
The olive grove
The olive grove is part of the soul of the Mas.
More than 700 olive trees now grow around the property. Many have stood here for years, while others are still young. In recent years, we have planted many new trees – also for the generations who will come after us. Olive trees need time. Anyone who plants one is always thinking of the future.
Every autumn brings the olive harvest. Together with the ‘Amis du Mas des Olives’, we pick the fruit by hand. Some of our friends travel from far away to join us and give us something especially precious: their time.
We work side by side, sit down together at the table, laugh a lot and, somewhere between two olive trees, occasionally solve the problems of the world.
Our harvest becomes the Mas’s own organic olive oil, produced only in small quantities.
For us, the olive grove speaks of time, friendship and what endures.
Art
Art is part of everyday life at the Mas.
As you walk through the house and garden, you will come across works by contemporary artists from France and other countries. Alongside them are special pieces that we have discovered over the years at flea markets, on our travels or simply by chance.
Sculptures also stand among the trees, plants and old walls in the garden. Some immediately catch the eye; others may only be noticed on a second or third walk around. That is exactly what we like: art can surprise without needing to take centre stage.
The rooms and apartments are deliberately understated. We want to give them air and space.
Design classics sit alongside furniture from other countries, vintage finds and carefully chosen works of art. We like unusual combinations, contrasts and things that may not seem to belong together at first – and work precisely because they do. Our style is personal and never quite finished.
The most beautiful setting, however, is created by nature itself: the garden, the old trees, the walls of the Mas and, above all, the light of Provence, which continually changes the way colours and spaces appear throughout the day.
At the Mas, art is not staged.
It is simply part of life.
The team
The Mas also comes to life through the people who help shape it. They know this place well, feel connected to it and each contribute to its atmosphere in their own way.
Everyone works independently and with great care. We support one another, step in when needed and usually find a straightforward solution. What matters to us is that everyone feels at ease at the Mas – and that you can sense how much we enjoy what we do.
The lines between different roles are fluid. You may therefore come across the same person working in the garden one day, during a sound journey another, by the pool, with a guitar in hand or even performing an impromptu slam poem. Different talents, ideas and personalities simply belong together here.
We are there when you need us and give you space when you want to enjoy some peace and quiet. This balance of attentiveness and freedom is part of the Mas: relaxed, personal and alive.
We take our responsibilities seriously but not always ourselves.
Our animals
Animals are part of life at the Mas des Olives.
Our cats roam freely between the house, garden and olive grove: Sorbas, Lou, Natzu, Lila, Yuma and Yuki. And then there is Flo, our faithful visitor, who has long since found his own place among us too.
Each of our cats has a distinct character, habits and favourite places. Some prefer to watch what is happening from a safe distance, while others seek out the company of our guests. In their own way, they are all part of the atmosphere of the Mas.
We love animals and treat them with great respect. Guests are therefore very welcome to bring their own pets. We simply ask that dogs be kept on a lead in the garden and that everyone show consideration for our animals, the other guests and the tranquillity of the Mas.
At the Mas, people and animals quite naturally share the same living space.
