Terre Blanche: why every family deserves this exquisite holiday in beautiful Provence

Heading inland in the South of France, our writer discovers Terre Blanche Hôtel Spa Golf Resort and tees off a very different type of family holiday in Provence.

Terre Blanche Kids Club, family holiday in Provence

The secret of Terre Blanche Hôtel Spa Golf Resort

The South of France is always a good idea. I think that is how the saying goes. Well, yes, it is true. But not all family holidays starting at Nice Airport involve finding a villa facing the azure blue Mediterranean sea on the French Riviera. It is quite possible to head in the other direction (namely inland) to find an amazing family haven. The stunning Terre Blanche resort is just that, and it is located a mere 45 minute drive from Nice Airport, in the famous Var region of Provence.

Set on a stunning 750 acres, The Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort – to give it its full name – is a family paradise. Here you can do as much or as little as you want. Importantly all members of the family are taken care of, and there are plenty of activities to do apart or together: the recipe for a successful family holiday.

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Villa terrace, Terre Blanche

A family holiday in Provence with a private villa, of course

Let’s start with the accommodation. If you have younger kids who are still excited about the sofa bed set up, then a Premier Villa is perfect.

Beautifully presented, these come in at 100sqm of space. Each villa is set back nestled into its own piece of mature nature with its own private terrace with sun loungers. If you are a bigger family or doing a multi-generational trip then you might want to look at one of the Prestige Villas. These come with private pools and hot tubs as well as three separate suites. Whatever you choose you won’t be disappointed with the rustic luxury vibe.

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Infinity pool, Terre Blanche family holiday in Provence

An endless infinity pool dipped into stunning Var views

As nice as these villas are, you will be wanting to get out and about across the resort. Naturally the first stop will be the swimming pool area. Here, Terre Blanche hits the high notes.

The Infinity Pool is enormous. At 600sqm, it is the largest pool I can recall lazing in for some time. The views are also stunning across the hills to mountain top Provence villages. No problem with the kids, a bit of splashing around is encouraged. You can happily while away a day here. There are loungers, cabanas and an excellent poolside restaurant.

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Château Hole, Terre Blanche Hôtel Spa Golf Resort

The Terre Blanche effect could even improve your golf game

Despite the relaxation opportunities on this family holiday in Provence, it is impossible to ignore the fact that Terre Blanche is a serious golf resort, from the golf buggies shuttling everyone around, to the elegant guests in their Lacoste (a hotel brand partner) golfing outfits.

The resort features two championship 18-hole courses, as well as a state-of-the-art driving range and academy. Being somewhat of a weekend golfer, I was slightly nervous when entering the swish clubhouse to get ready for my round. However, the nice folks at the Pro Shop kitted me up with some brand new Callaway (another hotel brand partner) clubs and balls.

I don’t know if it was the clubs, the morning’s relaxation at the pool or the beautiful woodland setting. Whatever it was, I played like a pro for the day. Even besting my playing partner who was an editor for a magazine with the word ‘Golf’ in the actual title. This place is a real golfers’ paradise, and if it can make me play well it must have some magic in the air.

Whilst I was recreating my inner Rory McIlroy, the rest of my party were oblivious to my heroics as they spent the afternoon in the Spa.

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Spa pool, Terre Blanche

Make time to indulge in the stunning Terre Blanche Spa

Here again Terre Blanche excels. An indoor/outdoor setting provides the perfect relaxing vibe. There are state of the art facilities, including sauna, hammam, and laconicum, as well as a snow shower, and it’s all about improving circulation and muscle recovery.

Kids Club, Terre Blanche

This family holiday in Provence indulges your kids too

The spa also offers a Kids Wellness program, which focuses on emotions rather than skin or beauty aesthetics.

If the kids aren’t ready for a psychologist at the spa, then there is an excellent Kids Club with all the usual fun and games. Children will love spending a day here with waterslides, nature walks, beekeeping and circus workshops all included for hotel guests.

Read more: The best family holidays are all about sharing unforgettable experiences

La Gaudina, Terre Blanche

Food is locally sourced, healthy and served with Michelin stars

Terre Blanche also goes big on it’s food offering. Breakfast is buffet style and offers everything you could imagine, all healthy and locally sourced: the ginger shots got me going each morning.

Lunch is a casual affair taken wherever you happen to be across the resort. However, dinner is an occasion, and it’s here that you are reminded that you are on a family holiday in Provence and not Cornwall.

The French dress up for dinner and have sophisticated aperitifs or bubbles from the local vineyards. Le Gaudina is a brasserie-style restaurant with a large terrace and where you are likely to have most of your meals. Ensure you make a reservation, because it attracts non-hotel guests from all around looking to get in on the act.

Le Faventia, Terre Blanche ©Lea Gil

Treat yourself to Le Faventia and a babysitter

If you want to add a really special gastronomic experience to your holiday in Provence, then head to the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant, Le Faventia. Here you can experience a 7-course menu with the most immaculate service in a most immaculate dining room, with each course an ode to local flavours and smells.

It’s a true immersion in Mediterranean gastronomy and 195€ per person, which I understand to be not too bad value for this sort of experience. It is also kid-friendly, but you might want to hire one of the in-house babysitters for the evening if your kids are more chicken nugget fans.

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Callian, one of the Var’s nine ‘villages perchés’

Explore the hidden Var on this family holiday in Provence

If you’re visiting Terre Blanche for just a few days during your family holiday in Provence, you may never choose to leave the resort. But if you do want to get out and about the hotel has designed biking and hiking routes that will take you through the local Provencal villages and countryside.

There is also the nearby Lac de Saint-Cassien where you can swim, paddleboard or kayak. It’s a fun trip and there are plenty of food and drink options with shaded spots to enjoy an ice cream and pizza. Once you are done, you can head back to the hotel for a game of tennis or some well earned time by that huge pool.

Read more: 10 experiences of a lifetime you need to share with your kids

Terre Blanche Hôtel Spa Golf Resort

You deserve this family holiday in Provence

In summary Terre Blanche Hôtel Spa Golf resort is an amazing family holiday in Provence. You get the feeling of the glamour of being in the South of France whilst being in a relaxed family playground. Everything is done well from the golf to the spa to the food to the accommodation. It is a true example of a resort where all the family will be very happy. And while it’s not cheap, it is certainly worth it.

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