Les Bains Gardians

Les Bains Gardians offers one of the most complete introductions to the Camargue available through hospitality. While many hotels borrow elements of regional character, this estate is built around the structures, landscapes and traditions that define the territory itself.

The property began life as the Auberge Cavalière du Pont des Bannes, long known for its collection of traditional cabanes de gardian. These distinctive whitewashed dwellings with curved roofs belong to the architectural heritage of the Camargue, where they were historically used by gardians, the horsemen and cattle herders who shaped the region’s pastoral culture. Their preservation gives the estate an authenticity rarely found in contemporary hospitality.

Following an extensive renovation completed in 2024, the property reopened as Les Bains Gardians under the stewardship of the Paris-based Les Bains group. Rather than replacing the estate’s identity, the project focused on restoring cabins, stables, public spaces and landscape while retaining the atmosphere that made the property unique. Designers Hauvette & Madani introduced a restrained aesthetic built around natural materials, antique furnishings and references to the surrounding wetlands.

What ultimately distinguishes Les Bains Gardians is its relationship with the landscape. Horses remain central to the experience, riding trails extend into the marshes, and the estate sits within one of France’s most distinctive natural environments. Flamingos, reed beds, ponds and open horizons remain part of everyday life here rather than decorative additions.

For NOTES, Les Bains Gardians matters because it preserves and interprets a living regional culture. More than a hotel, it offers a contemporary gateway into the traditions, architecture and landscapes that define the Camargue.