Salon-de-provence abbaye de sainte croix Hotel : Salon-de-provence Hotel

The 12th century abbey, nestled in a 20 ha of pine forest and rosemary, boasts unspoilt views over Salon de Provence… An authentic setting beneath the Provence sun, where you can awaken your senses & celebrate the ‘Art de vivre’ from Southern France.

Legend has it that the history of the Abbaye de Sainte Croix goes back to around the 9th century. Saint Hilary, the Archbishop of Arles, is said to have brought back a fragment of the cross of Christ from Palestine, which served as the inspiration for the building of the chapel.

Following the outbreak of an epidemic in 1631, the population of Salon set out on a procession to the chapel to pray for divine assistance. Some decades later, a gentleman from the court of Louis XIV, the Norman lord Nicolas de Montgallet, significantly developed the Abbaye. He spent all of his fortune on improving and embellishing the Abbaye. Not long after, however, it fell back into disrepair, and only the church remained in use.

In 1969, Yves Bossard and his family decided to undertake the renovation of the Abbaye, through the Foundation Bossard. This was a painstaking, rigorous process, with each stone meticulously selected and hewn in order to loyally recreate each of the wings of the building; the site was progressively restored in order to return each architectural element to its former glory:
• the magnificent Roman chapel, with its four bays, choir and gallery overlooking a Renaissance-style porch, as well as the courtyard, sealed by an imposing portal in dark wood;
• the large, vaulted dining room with its monumental fireplace;
• the ambulatory, with five semi-circular bays;
• the small cells in the basement, which are also vaulted, open onto the terrace, dotted full of trees, with views stretching down to the sea in clear weather.

Nowadays, the Abbaye de Sainte Croix is no longer a place of worship or a spiritual retreat, but has rediscovered one of its earliest vocations, that of welcoming its guests to a unique, authentic and refined setting.

A unique landscape

The Abbaye de Sainte Croix Relais & Chateaux is spread across 20 hectares of pine groves and garrigue, landscapes characteristic of the South of France.
This protected natural setting gives the Abbaye a singular cachet, steeping it in the scents of Provence.
With nature all around you, the pines, rosemary and orchids, in an array of colours from purple to yellow: experience Provence in full bloom.

In the heart of the property, you will find French-style gardens with a symmetrical layout; a sequence of spaces that visitors can explore along a set route.
These invite you to sit back and relax alone with a book or to simply enjoy the songs of the cicadas.
The restaurant terrace offers panoramic views of Salon de Provence and the neighbouring Camargue.
Admire the nature around you as you bathe in the location’s unparalleled calm.

Upon arrival, you will be offered a parking space to be used throughout your stay.

After checking in, the Abbaye’s staff is on hand to show you around the facilities and help you settle into your room.

Over the course of your stay, head to reception for French and international newspapers, to check your email and to find out about essential sights and monuments in the region. We will be happy to advise you and pass on our love for the region, offering you tips on the most interesting cultural and heritage sights and activities available in the surrounding area.