After two and a half years of work, Le Mas Candille reopened its doors this summer on the heights of Mougins, in the Cannes Hinterland, in a sunny setting signed by the Franco-Mexican architect Hugo Toro, and under the impetus of his buyers Jean-Philippe Cartier and the Courtin-Clarins family. Its new director, Nicolas Gachet, reveals the metamorphosis to us.
The planets were perfectly aligned when Nicolas Gachet applied for the Director position at Le Mas Candille and its new owners. Originally from the Southwest, he had spent many years on the Côte d'Azur, at the Gray d'Albion and the Majestic in Cannes, and had also worked at Le Normandy in Deauville, La Réserve in Geneva, and Les Sources de Caudalie in Gironde. But he dreamed of returning to his adopted lands on the Azure Coast. Deeply committed to working for a family group with values and vision, he naturally took over the hotel. ”It's a magical place, with an unparalleled view of the hills of Grasse and the Caussols plateau, which had nevertheless become somewhat dormant over the years. The new buyers, Jean-Philippe Cartier and the Courtin-Clarins family, fell in love with this legendary establishment and decided to restore its grace and aura. After a major renovation campaign that lasted two and a half years, the rebirth is dazzling!”
At 35, the young star architect Hugo Toro completely rethought the 4.5-hectare estate, giving it the character of a Provençal farmhouse with a twist reminiscent of the golden age of large Californian villas. ”Hugo Toro is a perfectionist. Starting from scratch, he rethought every detail of the place, placing his own canvases in the rooms, deciding on the dishware, and personally picking each object.“The 41 rooms and 6 suites are warm and bright. The carpets and curtains were painted by him before being reproduced, and the stained oak furniture also comes from his imagination. On the terraces, only the curved wrought-iron chairs are remnants of the old Mas Candille. Everywhere else, Hugo Toro has introduced ochre, brown, various yellows, different greens, and Norwegian pink marble in the bathrooms. The common areas have a strong identity with soft, yet sunny tones, inviting guests to stay here as if in their own vacation home in the south of France. ”We downsized the first pool to build a magnificent beach of loungers and set up the terrace of the Pool, the pool restaurant, masterfully led by the Corsican and Savoyard chef Romain Antoine. After honing his skills at La Villa Archange by Bruno Oger and the double Michelin-starred Paloma restaurant in Mougins, he also oversees the second restaurant, La Table des Pins, which boasts a magnificent terrace with breathtaking views of the majestic pines. Here he champions the colors of Mediterranean cuisine, sourcing from local producers in a short supply chain.”
The Glow House, the Clarins Signature
The highlight comes alive at the end of a winding path between palm trees: The Glow House, the new spa signed by Clarins. Hugo Toro created this space from scratch, featuring a steam room, sauna, and a 25-meter heated pool year-round that extends outdoors. The floors in opus incertum stone, the ceramic counter, and the coatings in red earth or water green invite serenity. Clarins here offers a rich treatment menu, highlighting exceptional formulas made from powerful plant extracts and premium essential oils, combined with a new technological experience of infrared LEDs. ”The hotel's opening last June 21 exceeded our expectations, the establishment was over 80% booked during July and August. We will remain open all year, except for January to allow the teams to rest. Le Mas Candille continues to attract customers from the United States and England, but it must remain rooted in the local landscape. The spa will soon also have a membership system to welcome local customers from the Riviera!”
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