In the heart of Nice’s vieille ville, hidden behind ochre-toned alleyways and Provençal shutters, lies a singular sanctuary: Hôtel du Couvent. This newly unveiled five-star retreat is not merely a hotel, but a reverent reimagining of history — one that harmoniously blends sacred architecture, monastic tranquillity, and a profoundly sensual vision of hospitality.

Once home to the Clarisse nuns in the 17th century and later the Visitandines until the 1980s, the building — known locally as the Couvent de la Visitation — long served as a site of reflection and service. Herbal remedies were sold in the cloister, loaves were bought fresh from its bakery. Today, the robes have been replaced by tailored uniforms, but its ethos of care, community, and inner peace endures.

A Ten-Year Renaissance

The restoration of the Hôtel du Couvent was spearheaded by Valéry Grégo, founder of Perseus, the hospitality group behind the project. With extraordinary patience and vision, Grégo and his team devoted over a decade to its meticulous revival, rebuilding stone by stone with a devotion echoing that of the original nuns.

To achieve this, Perseus enlisted an ensemble of acclaimed design studios. Architecture was entrusted to Studio Mumbaiand Studio Méditerranée, whose sensitivity to place and materiality grounds the project in its Mediterranean context. Interior architecture was led by Festen, whose warm, minimalist aesthetic honours the original simplicity of the convent while introducing refined modern comforts. A fourth new structure — made with lime, wood, and hempcrete — was built in keeping with the original 17th-century methods.

The result is a masterpiece of quiet luxury, where historical authenticity and contemporary poise coexist.

Rooms Rooted in Soul

With 88 rooms in total, accommodation at Hôtel du Couvent feels deeply personal and contemplative. Guests can choose from pared-back monastic-style cells to generous apartments spanning 166 square metres, complete with a Lacanche range and grand dining room.

Some rooms open directly onto the gardens, others frame views of Nice’s rooftops and the distant Mediterranean. All are designed to accommodate both solitude and togetherness — a place to read, retreat, or host close friends for a shared Provençal meal.

A Living Garden

Perhaps the most distinctive element of the hotel is its lush internal landscape. Sheltered within high convent walls, the garden is a sensorial Eden: wisteria tumbling from stone façades, citrus trees scenting the air, birdsong filtering through fig trees. A Provençal calade leads guests from one corner of serenity to another — whether to the open-air pool, the Roman-inspired thermal baths, or the herb shop reinstated in the cloister.

Moments unfold slowly here: a swim in the stone-lined corridor pool, a meditation class in the Movement Studio, or a conversation over wine at the guinguette nestled in the garden.

Ancient Rituals, Modern Wellness

Inspired by the Roman heritage of nearby Cimiez, Hôtel du Couvent offers an exceptional thermal experience rooted in antiquity. Hidden beneath the historic stonework lies a complete Roman-style bathing circuit: from the gentle warmth of the tepidarium and the intensity of the caldarium, to the invigorating chill of the frigidarium and the restorative oils of the unctuarium. Treatments are customised using natural products and techniques developed in partnership with skilled practitioners, offering guests a wellness journey both immersive and intentional.

Beyond the baths, movement is also celebrated. The hotel’s Movement Studio offers a dedicated space for functional training, dance, yoga, and restorative exercise — an elegant counterbalance to the stillness found in the cloisters and gardens.

Dining in Devotion

The culinary offering at Hôtel du Couvent is an ode to its sacred setting. Each of the three venues — the cloister restaurant, the garden guinguette, and the bistrot on Rue des Serruriers — channels the spirit of simple, reverent cooking. There are no gimmicks, no theatrical flourishes, only elemental ingredients prepared with quiet perfection.

From the living wines to the soulful service, dining here feels like a ritual — grounded, generous, and timeless.

A Timeless Sanctuary

Hôtel du Couvent is more than a place to stay; it is a new chapter in the story of Mediterranean hospitality. It bridges centuries — honouring the silence of its past while inviting the rhythm of the present. Few places manage to preserve memory while crafting experience with such emotional intelligence.

As Nice continues its renaissance as a destination of international repute, Hôtel du Couvent stands as both a cultural landmark and a lesson in meaningful luxury.

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Image Credits: Hotel Du Couvent

Photographers: Adrianna Glaviano , Giulio Ghirardi & Emma Pitti Ferrandi