After hanging up from my first phone call with Cosmo the owner of a private hamlet in the heart of Luberon, Provence- I just knew this was a venue I needed to be involved in.
Due to Covid I had to sit tight until the first window of opportunity came up that I could visit the venue for myself. Leading up to the trip I had immersed myself in all I could find online and the excitement grew. Reading articles on Vogue, Harpers Bazaar & Style Me Pretty seeing names of guests such as Princess Margaret, John Malkovich, Jasper Conran, Alexa change and so many more were being dropped in left right and centre.
I drove for 6 hours from Cognac in the height of the summer, I meandered through Provencal villages in complete awe of the landscape surrounding me and my fiat 500. The roads got smaller and steeper, before I knew it, I had arrived at the very discreet entrance to the hamlet which can’t be seen from the road – upon arrival I just couldn’t wait to see what this place had to offer. I was greeted with chilled rose and a charcuterie platter in one of two dining rooms, this was the one with the walls adorned with Andy Warhols. I sat for 20 minutes trying to just breath and holding myself back from the want to run around and see everything as quickly as possible.
I was then taken on the tour by the very lovely property guardians, and was guided through the winding streets visiting the individual stone houses that make up the village and genuinely I couldn’t stop taking pictures, around every corner I was using the words – ‘wow’ ‘I love it’ ‘Hang on, I just need to take a picture’
Each room is so unique, but there is feel of history and style everywhere you look, it reminded me of a Tom Ford directed movie with effortless style and exquisite detail with an edge.
After exploring the houses, I was sold. I was then taken through the main house out towards the outdoor pool, I walked through a lavender lined path and just stood there for a minute taking in what I was looking at – the view ……I have no words. I had seen a picture but in person its really breath-taking, I couldn’t quite believe how far I could see and just how the landscaped seemed to go on forever. The stone statues casually dotted around the pool, the sunken sofa area which doubles up as an outdoor bar, the perfectly trimmed tree line to ensure the view is completely undisturbed and then on top of all of this the silence, I really felt like I was stood at the highest point of the region.
After the tour, I decided to cool off in the pool and sat with another glass of rose (I mean its Provence, it would be rude not too). My brain was brimming with ideas, I couldn’t stop thinking of how I would use the space – every area is perfect. The one thing that I could picture was the whole hamlet full of friends and family in the build up to the wedding, everyone running through the streets going from house to house looking for a comb, or the flower girl.
I sat with my friend that evening, taking in every second of the incredible sunset and said ‘I really hope I can work with this venue, I can’t wait to share it with the world’ and here I am two months on talking about launching it as a wedding venue where my company offers the planning solution!
The plan is simple – tell the story and create some truly magical moments at what is a truly special place. I stayed for just 24 hours and left feeling as though I had been there for weeks – it truly felt like a home away from home.
During lockdown I decided Josh Tully Management would focus on partnering with unique venues in unique locations – so here we are, introducing Le Grand Banc.
JT
Style tip.
The colours are muted and the stone walls create the perfect back drop. I imagine wild florals, wispy and seasonal. Textured candle holders and vases, ceramics and vintage glass. I intend to keep it simple but beautiful, the venue really gives style in an abundance.