Discover the South of France through the eyes of Chloe, CLO Studios Founder & Creative Director. Explore a considered compilation of her favourite places to eat, stay, shop and visit in le Midi.  

“The South of France gives you the feeling of being in an old French film, surrounded by beauty and art. The characters and people, the elegance and passion towards good food and good wine is like its own religion. The influence of art is alive and the romanticism of being by the Mediterranean is felt throughout the region.”

“A country atmosphere permeates through the locals as old traditions are celebrated in their daily lives. Spend a morning in the turquoise waters near Saint Rapheal followed by lunch at Colombe d’Or grazing under a Picasso artwork and breathtaking mountain views.” 

Eat — Marsielle

Provisions Marseille

95 Rue de Lodi, 13006 Marseille

'Wine, books, objects, groceries and eats. Female run.'

Established in 2022 in a three-generations old bookstore. Not necessarily a grocery store, but a destination. A place you can buy local grown flowers, pick up a bottle of wine and a book, or a thoughtful gift.

Tuba Club

2 Bd Alexandre Delabre, 13008 Marseille

“Dine on the rocks by the sea.” 

A former diving school turned boutique hotel with a vibrant history, accompanied by a bar and restaurant overlooking a charming fishing harbour. The restaurant captures the essence of Mediterranean dining and interiors, eat fresh seafood alongside local and seasonal dishes.  

Jogging Store and Restaurant

107 Rue Paradis, 13006 Marseille

“Shop and eat. A favourite place to discover. As well as housing some of my favourite brands, the place has such a cool vibe you'll want to stay a little longer and slip into a wine and a few plates."

Jogging transforms a former butcher’s shop into a creative hub. With a retail space highlighting curated collections from emerging designers and artists. Alongside sits a pop-up restaurant in the shady courtyard, focusing on seasonal dishes and a rotating roster of in-residence chefs. 

Eat — Saint-Paul-de-Vence

La Colombe d’Or

Place du Général de Gaulle, 06570 Saint-Paul-de-Vence

“Dine next to works by Picasso, Miró, Matisse & Calder to name a few. The art collection is incredible, and the food is classic French.” 

A family run institution, famous for its rich Provençal atmosphere, traditional French cuisine and noteworthy art collection. Once a modest inn, it became a cultural hotspot as artists exchanged their work for lodging, with pieces from artists such as Picasso, Calder and Matisse casually displayed throughout the property. 

Eat — Arles

La Chassagnette

Mas de la Chassagnette, D36 Route Sambuc, 13200 Arles

“Farm to table dining. Our friend Cyrielle recommend we go for lunch and it was one of our favourite meals of our trip, a seasonal set menu – each dish was a piece of art. Simple, fresh and delicious."

A Michelin-starred restaurant with fresh, organic produce picked straight from its own gardens. Chef Armand Arnal crafts seasonal dishes that celebrate local, sustainable ingredients in a tranquil, nature-inspired setting. A unique, eco-conscious dining experience. 

Inari

16 Pl. Voltaire, 13200 Arles

"Intimate dining and delicious plates. One of our favourite places to eat in Arles."

Using seasonal, local ingredients, Inari blends Japanese culinary techniques with French influences. Imagined in a chapel dating back to 1224 on Place Voltaire, the interiors feature a curation of vintage pieces by antique dealer Julie Barrau. In the evenings, the restaurant transforms into a cozy wine bar with a selection of organic wines.  

Eat — Avignon

Premiere Edition

5 Rue Prévôt, 84000 Avignon

“Local seasonal food paired with great wines.” 

Set in a former bookstore with a modern interior and relaxed feel. Featuring Japanese-inspired lighting and a waxed concrete bar, the menu highlights seasonal dishes alongside a selection of local wines. 

Eat — Saint-Tropez

Gigi

1050 Chem. des Barraques, 83350 Ramatuelle

“Beach dining for a special occasion. We have been twice now and it's one of those places you visit for lunch and 4 hours later are still there." 

A dining experience that emphasises Italian culinary traditions with family-style dishes and refreshing cocktails. A cozy vibe with rustic Italian touches and a coastal feel. Featuring terracotta tiles and wooden beams, along with outdoor seating to enjoy a meal under the stars. 

Stay — Marsielle

Tuba Club

2 Bd Alexandre Delabre, 13008 Marseille

“Scuba dive club converted into a hotel.”

A one-of-a-kind retreat in a former diving school near Calanques National Park, with a minimalist, rustic interior inspired by French fishing huts. The vibe is relaxed and beachy, an authentic taste of Marseille’s coastal charm.

Jogging Le Corbusier Room

Boulevard Michelet, 13008 Marseille

“Located in an original Le Corbusier building. Say no more.” 

The Jogging Le Corbusier Room was redesigned by Jogging’s Olivier Amsellem while respecting the original condition of the space. A tribute to architecture and a nod to the Radiant City of Marseille, perfect for design lovers. 

Jogging Samena

Boulevard de la Calanque de Samena, 13008 Marseille

Once an industrial site, then a ruin, Samena offers a laid-back southern vibe in a renovated industrial space. Just 50 meters from the sea, Samena has been respectfully reimagined, retaining the building's layers of time and using only materials already on site.  

 

Stay — Arles

Le Nord-Pinus

14 Pl. du Forum, 13200 Arles

A former cult hotel with a bohemian past, frequented by bullfighters and artists like Picasso and Cocteau. Currently under renovation and reopening in 2025. 

L’Arlatan 

20 Rue du Sauvage, 13200 Arles

Nestled in the historic centre of Arles. An artistic stay blending historical elements and modern design with an impressive 6,000 square metres of colourful mosaic art by Jorge Pardo. 

Stay — Lourmarin

Le Moulin Beaumier

Av. Raoul Dautry, 84160 Lourmarin

“For a classic French village experience.”  

A charming hotel that was once an old mill now transformed into a cozy retreat. Take in the views of the surrounding village while relaxing by the pool or sampling local snacks on the terrace. The interior is filled with the soul of the South, featuring terracotta tiles, sisal flooring and Provençal fabrics.

Stay — Saint-Paul-de-Vence 

La Colombe d’Or

Place du Général de Gaulle, 06570 Saint-Paul-de-Vence

“A unique stay. A must for art lovers.” 

A historic family run hotel. Once a three-room inn frequented by artists such as Matisse, Picasso and Miró, is now a boutique hotel composed of thirteen rooms and twelve suites.

Stay — Saint-Raphaël

Les Roches Rouges

90 Bd de la 36ème division du Texas, 83530 Saint-Raphaël

“Ocean pool and amazing views of the Mediterranean.” 

Striking 1950s modernist architecture set against stunning Mediterranean views. The interior’s clean, natural lines, antique rattan furniture and objects are at home amidst a colour palette of ochre, orange, azure, lemon yellow.  

Stay — Saint-Tropez

Hotel La Ponche

5 Rue des Remparts, 83990 Saint-Tropez

“For Saint-Tropez, very chic interiors.”  

A room with a view. A blend of history and modern luxury, recently renovated by designer Fabrizio Casiraghi with a chic bar and restaurant. 

Stay — Avignon

Hotel La Mirande

4 Pl. de l'Amirande, 84000 Avignon

“With history dating back to the 1300’s, we visited for an afternoon aperitif and to admire the interiors.” 

Beautifully designed interiors highlighted by rich textiles and antique furnishings from the region.  

Stay — Gordes

Le Clos de Gordes

515 Chem. des Prés, 84220 Gordes

"For a Provençal guest house experience.”  

A stone guest house, beautifully renovated and traditional of the region. Located at the foothills of the beautiful village of Gordes, and ideally placed to visit the surrounding villages.

Visit — Regions

Marsielle — A place for the foodie
Maison Empereur

4 Rue des Récolettes, 13001 Marseille

A Marseille institution and the oldest French hardware store, dating back to 1827. Affectionately referred to as Ali Baba’s cave, find general hardware alongside everything you could need for the kitchen, home or gifting.

Double V Gallery  

28 Rue Saint-Jacques, 13006 Marseille

Located in the heart of Marseille's antique dealer district, this small gallery supports both emerging and established artists across various mediums. In 2021, a second exhibition space was opened in Paris near the Centre Pompidou. 

L’Isle sur la Sorgue — A place for the vintage lover 

"A quaint antiques village. Make sure you visit Thursday to Sunday to catch the flea market. 50 Cinquante is one of my favourite vendors." 

Bonnieux & Menerbes – A place for the history lover 

"Two small idylic walled villages that take you back in time. Stop in for an afternoon stroll and apéritif. We had a champagne at Cafe du Progres in Menerbes which overlooks kilometres of old vineyards."

Cassis – A place for the adventurous traveller  

"Take a day trip to hike the Calanques followed by eating fresh fish at the small port in town. The beaches in Cassis are also a highlight."

Arles — A place for the art lover 
Fondation Vincent Van Gogh 

35 Rue du Dr Fanton, 13200 Arles 

The Fondation celebrates the impact of Van Gogh’s influence on modern art with rotating exhibits. Housed in a beautifully restored historic building, inspired by the light and architecture of Arles.

Luma Arles 

33 Av. Victor Hugo, 13200 Arles

A multidisciplinary arts centre located in the Parc des Ateliers, a renovated industrial area in Arles. Designed by renowned architects including Frank Gehry, its centrepiece is Gehry’s striking metal tower surrounded by 19th-century structures.  

Saint-Paul-de-Vence — A place for an afternoon stroll 
Fondation Maeght

623 Chem. des Gardettes, 06570 Saint-Paul-de-Vence

A unique showcase of modern and contemporary works by artists like Miró and Giacometti in a beautifully designed space. With sculpture gardens, a chapel, and open-air exhibits, blending art and nature in a Mediterranean setting.