Escape to La Verriere, a UNESCO-protected estate in Provence. Enjoy world-class Chêne Bleu wines, rich history, and a fairytale-like experience. Sometimes, life gives you the chance to step into a real-life fairytale. That’s exactly what happened when our friend decided to celebrate his 50th birthday at La Verriere in Provence. For one enchanting weekend, we ate, drank, danced to live music from the Gipsy Kings (yes, really!), and immersed ourselves in an experience straight out of a storybook.
When to go
Provence is stunning year-round, but the best time to visit La Verriere and the Chêne Bleu Wine Estate is in the late spring or early fall. During these seasons, the weather is warm but not overwhelmingly hot, and the vineyards are lush and vibrant, offering the perfect backdrop for an immersive experience. Summer can be magical too, but be prepared for higher temperatures and more tourists in the region.
How to Get There
La Verriere is in a UNESCO-protected nature reserve in the heart of Provence, Southern France. The closest major airports are in Marseille and Avignon, from where you can either rent a car or arrange for a private transfer. The drive itself is a dream, winding through picturesque villages, olive groves, and lavender fields before arriving at this secluded medieval priory.
The History of La Verriere
La Verriere is a medieval priory that was long forgotten and overgrown when Xavier, its current owner, first discovered it. With no electricity or running water, it took him and his wife Nicole over a decade to restore the estate, carefully preserving its historic charm while adding modern comforts. Today, it stands as a testament to their passion and vision, offering guests a unique blend of rustic elegance and luxury.
A Magical Welcome
As soon as we arrived at the estate, we were greeted with a truly regal welcome. A quartet of violinists filled the air with enchanting melodies, setting the tone for the weekend. We sipped on Chêne Bleu’s exquisite wines—produced right at the estate—while nibbling on delicious small bites, taking in the stunning surroundings.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
The highlight of the weekend was the grand birthday celebration, where the fairytale truly unfolded. The festivities began in the afternoon with a flamenco lesson in the estate’s wine-tasting room. We twirled our wrists and hips to infectious Spanish beats, laughing as we tried (and sometimes failed) to master the moves.
Next came the transformation. A costume room filled with whimsical outfits awaited us, and suddenly, we were no longer just guests at a party—we had stepped into the world of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Sprites, nymphs, fairies, knights, and ladies roamed the medieval villa, creating an atmosphere of theatrical wonder.
As the sun began to set, we gathered under the trees, where the still, humid air turned into a light breeze. A Shakespearean theater troupe from England performed scenes from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, with the birthday boy taking on the role of narrator. The children joined in, and the audience engaged with spirited booing, cheering, and laughter, making it an interactive and immersive experience.
We walked into the shade of the trees just as the still humid air turned into a light breeze. We sat down for a Shakespearean performance by a theater troop from England, with the birthday boy leading the narration, the children getting involved in the performance, and audience participation with queued booing and applause.
The play was followed by dinner in the lovely courtyard, where it feels as if you’ve stepped into the secret garden with the centuries-old brick crawling with ivy. We drank delicious full bodied reds from Chêne Bleu over a delightful dinner with great company from Sweden, Spain, Norway, the U.S. and more.
An Enchanted Evening
After the play, we moved to the courtyard for a spectacular dinner. Imagine dining in a secret garden, surrounded by ivy-covered stone walls and flickering candlelight. The meal was perfectly paired with full-bodied reds from Chêne Bleu, while we enjoyed the company of friends from around the world—Sweden, Spain, Norway, the U.S., and beyond.
Then came the music. The sons of the legendary Gipsy Kings took the stage, their voices and rhythms transporting us straight to the heart of Andalusia. Accompanied by incredible vocalists from Mumbai, the performance was an electrifying fusion of cultures. When the flamenco song we had learned earlier played, the entire party erupted into a flash mob, dancing the routine we had practiced—this time with a few more glasses of wine in our system. Under the starry night sky, overlooking the rolling vineyards of Provence, it was a moment of pure magic.
A Final Toast to Chêne Bleu
On our last day at La Verriere, we took a tour of the Chêne Bleu winery to learn about its unique approach to winemaking. Every grape is meticulously handpicked to ensure quality, and the estate follows biodynamic winemaking principles. This method, which aligns vineyard practices with lunar phases and natural treatments, creates wines that are both exquisite and free from the chemical additives often found in commercial wines. One of the best perks? No hangover!
To cap off the weekend, we indulged in a relaxed afternoon featuring a pizza and ice cream food truck before lounging by the pool. It was the perfect way to wind down after a weekend of unforgettable moments.
Final Thoughts
La Verriere and Chêne Bleu are more than just a wine estate—they are a place where history, luxury, and magic come together. Whether you’re looking for an extraordinary place to celebrate, a romantic escape, or simply an unforgettable experience in Provence, this hidden gem offers something truly special.
Would you love to experience a fairytale getaway like this? Share your dream celebration in the comments below!
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