Hôtel Le Provençal, the heart of the French Riviera since 1951

For over 70 years, this iconic hotel on the Giens peninsula has welcomed locals and travelers alike. Now run by Benjamin and Damien Piffet, it’s preparing to unveil a brand new look.

Cover photo: Hôtel Le Provençal

The story began in 1951, when Marius Michel (then executive chef of the Lido in Paris) returned to the village of Giens, in the heart of the French Riviera, where he grew up. His dream – one that’s since been fulfilled thanks to  the support of his Auvergnat in-laws – was to open a new place that was every bit as peaceful as it was unique. For 20 years, Le Provençal hotel welcomed locals and visiting celebrities alike, and gradually became a local landmark until in the late 1970s Michel’s children took over. They were followed by his grandchildren, in 2012.

Photo: Dembélé Ascelle @bureausoleil

One project, two minds

Today, Benjamin and Damien Piffet are keeping the family spirit alive. Aa pastry chef and a sommelier respectively, they are both self-taught, and trained in their more technical professions at business school. Determined to keep the place going, they undertook major renovations in 2017, more than 70 years after it opened, assisted by interior designer Rodolphe Parente. The idea was to preserve the original building and refresh the hotel’s aesthetics, its historic swimming pool and the three restaurants – Bar du Soleil, Le Barbecue and La Villa Barret. “Over the years, the clientele has remained loyal, but has also changed. Some people come every year, so we’ve had to find the right balance of modernization, without losing any of its authentic charm,” explains Damien Piffet.

Photo: Dembélé Ascelle @bureausoleil

A long-term partnership

Le Provençal has been working with American Vintage for two years now: “It’s a brand with which we share many values and similarities, like being a family company from the South of France. AMV designed modern uniforms, with sunny prints for our teams.” Since then, a relationship of trust has developed – and it looks like it’s here to stay.

Hôtel Le Provençal — 420 Chemin du Béton, 83400 Hyères
Bar du Soleil — 420 Chemin du Béton, 83400 Hyères
Le Barbecue — 420 Chemin du Béton, 83400 Hyères
La Villa Barret — 112 Place Saint-Pierre, 83400 Hyères

You can find all information, here.

Photo: Dembélé Ascelle @bureausoleil

AMV Journal is a space dedicated to encounters, discovery and travel. Every week, explore the musts, portraits and inspirations of American Vintage and its creation studio.