"It was love at first sight," Salem confides with a smile in her voice when she discovered Mas Vermentino, a sublime stone property with a large paved courtyard sheltered from view, living rooms and a summer kitchen, a gently whispering fountain, six bedrooms and chic, refined vintage decor, not to mention a swimming pool on the edge of the forest. It was love at first sight. "It was the perfect place: cozy, authentic, luxurious. It had everything." After years working in advertising as an account manager for major companies and clients around the world, Salem began to think about a career that would be meaningful to her and in line with her passions during the Covid pandemic. She had always dreamed of Provence, so she decided to move there in 2022. More specifically, she came to La Bastide de Marie, where she spent her first night. She was immediately struck by the colors, the smells, and the authentic yet delicate art of living. Everything resonated with her, and from then on, she returned "again and again" with the same enchantment.

Since 2023, with her company Gallivant & Gather, she has been organizing tailor-made retreats at Mas Vermentino every spring and fall, the transitional seasons when nature is at its most beautiful. Designed according to the wishes of her clients, exclusively women, and her unparalleled knowledge of everything that makes up the art of living in Provence, her ultra-inspiring retreats are suitable for friends, solo travelers, or mothers and daughters who enjoy all the charms of the region in a small group of eight. "I wanted to combine well-being and culture and create a space where people could relax, discover, and take care of themselves in complete safety and serenity. A space where you can share your story through an experience that promotes open-mindedness, encounters, and sincerity." Although she initially planned to bring in pieces from designers and antique dealers that she carefully sought out during her strolls through the beautiful villages that dot this sun-drenched, fragrant land—Ménerbes, of course, Lacoste, Oppède le Vieux, L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Gordes, Bonnieux..., with a view to introducing them to her American clients, she finally changed her mind and decided, after all, to bring her clients directly to Provence.

During these luxury lifestyle retreats, Salem showcases all the facets of the region. She invites artists, artisans, and chefs to the farmhouse who love to share their passion, history, and experience, some of whom are Americans who have also fallen in love with these places. Chic sewing workshops with cutting-edge designers such as American Tarik Koivisto, founder of Luxe Provence, ceramics classes and outdoor painting sessions, floral arrangement workshops, exclusive shopping trips to beautiful locations or cultural outings to artists' studios, museums, and art foundations, bike rides, Pilates classes in the shade of the gardens, strolls through colorful markets, wine tastings and, of course, more simple tastings every evening with a chef who prepares a meal that guests enjoy outside, in the large kitchen or in the summer lounges, near the fire. This is an opportunity to taste the wonders of this generous terroir: wines, including of course those from Domaine de Marie, sun-kissed fruits and vegetables, fragrant herbs from the gardens, truffles...

‍

A truly enchanting interlude in an equally enchanting setting... See you soon!

‍