Villa Augusta: Hotel in Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux, Provence

A private residence reimagined in the heart of the Drôme

Behind its historic façade, Villa Augusta invites guests to experience a more intimate and authentic side of Provence, far from traditional hotel conventions. Formerly a Tricastin manor house, the property has been redesigned by Oscar Lucien Ono, founder of Maison Numéro 20, through a sensitive approach that preserves the soul of the building while introducing a contemporary artistic vision.

From the moment guests arrive, the atmosphere feels closer to a private home than a traditional hotel. The classic reception desk gives way to a large communal table surrounded by an antique bookcase, creating an immediate sense of warmth and familiarity. Natural light flows through the interiors, leading toward the central rotunda, the architectural heart of the manor.

This space features a remarkable creation by Art et Floritude: a monumental metal vase decorated with hand-painted olive branches. The olive motif becomes a recurring signature throughout the property, appearing on cushions, white passementerie details, and textile accents. Above, a ceiling fresco composed of suns, branches, and painted bees extends the hotel’s radiant Provençal identity.

The bar embraces the same philosophy through a more eclectic aesthetic. Graphic wood textures, 1970s-inspired armchairs, vintage flea market finds, and antique Medici vases come together in a setting where past and present naturally coexist. This attention to detail continues into the restaurant, where refined cuisine celebrates the seasonal produce of the Drôme Provençale.

The interior design also plays with the contrast between different eras of the building. In the contemporary wing, a bespoke sun motif woven into the carpets guides guests through the space like a trace of light. The walls, covered in rope worked like textile marquetry, add a sculptural dimension. In the historic wing, the atmosphere shifts toward a more timeworn elegance, with hand-painted decorative finishes revealing the layered history of the Tricastin estate.

Villa Augusta features 23 rooms, each imagined as a unique sanctuary. The atmosphere evokes the elegance of a refined countryside home, with canopy beds, natural materials, and a palette inspired by the surrounding landscape. Shades of earth, honey, sand, and linen create warm interiors where soft light enhances every detail. Materials have been carefully selected for their authenticity and tactile qualities. Stone, wood, natural textiles, and printed fabrics create interiors deeply connected to the region. Some rooms draw inspiration from the cotton textiles that arrived from India through the port of Marseille as early as the 16th century, influencing the richness of Provençal textile traditions. The bathrooms continue this inspiration with trellis-pattern tiles reminiscent of Mediterranean gardens, pergolas, and the play of sunlight filtering through greenery.

Outside, the wooded park becomes a natural extension of the hotel. The swimming pool sits within a peaceful landscape, bordered by terracotta-toned loungers and shaded by a centuries-old cedar tree. The pool bar adopts a freer, more artistic expression, with a golden sun painted in a naive style across a white wall and a luminous fresco overhead appearing to merge with the endless Provençal sky.

From Villa Augusta, guests can explore the landscapes of the Drôme Provençale, from flower fields and vineyards to rolling hills and wild garrigue, including excursions by Méhari, the iconic open-top French car. Just minutes away, Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux reveals its understated heritage through its Romanesque cathedral, historic lanes, and Gallo-Roman remains.

With its artistic vision, respect for heritage, and deeply peaceful atmosphere, Villa Augusta does not seek to impose itself. Instead, it reveals itself slowly, through the creative vision of Oscar Lucien Ono and the distinctive universe of Maison Numéro 20.

We love Villa Augusta for:

– Four-star hotel located in Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux, in Provence’s Drôme region
– Former Tricastin manor house reimagined by Maison Numéro 20
– 23 individually designed rooms inspired by Provençal landscapes and traditions
– Interiors by Oscar Lucien Ono blending heritage, vintage finds, and artisanal creations
– Refined restaurant celebrating seasonal local produce from the Drôme Provençale
– Nearly 4,000-square-meter wooded park with swimming pool and pool bar