Lily of the Valley sits high above the coastline of La Croix-Valmer, overlooking the wild beauty of Gigaro Beach on the Saint-Tropez peninsula. It is a place that feels quietly discovered and deeply personal, a hotel where the landscape is not a backdrop but a philosophy. We sat down with Lucie Weill, who spent her childhood summers at the family home and now leads Lily of the Valley with the kind of conviction that only comes from a genuine love for a place, to walk us through a day that is, by any measure, worth waking up for.
Which suite has your favorite view to wake up to?
Without hesitation, one of our Owner’s Villas. They are the villas of my childhood, just steps from the hotel, which we recently renovated. They have that extra soul that only places filled with memories can offer. The format is ideal for families or groups of friends who want to feel right at home: tucked away from the world, nestled among olive groves, with a 180-degree sea view stretching all the way to the horizon. And of course, all the ultra-luxury service of Lily of the Valley brought to your door, on demand. To me, this is what we do best: the intimacy of a home, the standards of a grand hotel.
Walk us through your morning routine. Breakfast order, and where you take it.
I am 34, with two young children and incredibly busy days, so I keep a close eye on my protein intake. Whether it is a savory or sweet breakfast, our chef knows how to make suggestions, or surprise me, with recipes that help me hit my goals without ever sacrificing pleasure. That is the very art of our cuisine: combining nutritional rigor with indulgence.
I love having breakfast on the terrace of Vista, which in my opinion offers the most beautiful view of the coast and an unmatched sense of peace. It is my moment, just for me, before the day really begins.
A morning workout or ritual you would recommend to guests?
For a truly gentle wake-up, I cannot recommend our new sound healing class enough. It takes place on floating mats laid on our semi-olympic pool. You lie down, you float, and your body literally enters into resonance with the sound vibrations. It is a meditative and deeply restorative experience that sets you up beautifully for the day. A must-try, and one of my biggest favorites this season.
If you have time for one spa treatment, what is it?
I recently tried two new treatments that made a real impression. The first involves strips infused with medical-grade hyaluronic acid. The results are immediate and impressive: a truly cutting-edge treatment, designed for those looking for visible efficacy. The second, which we have just added to the menu, is an intra-oral massage. Perfect for releasing facial tension when you tend, like me, to clench your jaw a little too much from stress. It is surprising, and incredibly freeing.
Poolside or beachside for lunch? And what are you ordering?
In the morning, while I am working, my two daughters head down to the beach. I join them for lunch and we share lots of little dishes with our feet in the sand at our restaurant Pépé. I have them try everything on the menu, from sea bream tartare to vegetables straight from our garden, so that from the youngest age, they feel fully part of the experience we offer at Lily of the Valley. These simple, sun-filled family lunches are among my favorite moments of the day.
How do you spend the afternoon when it is yours to keep?
When I am not working, I love treating myself to a reformer session in the middle of the afternoon, then heading out for a hike at sunset. Walking through the garrigue at that time of day, with the scent of pine and rosemary and the light gilding the coastline, is my favorite way to wind down. A real luxury, and the perfect prelude to the evening.
Best spot to catch the sunset?
Without question, the terrace of our bar, facing due west, to watch the sun dive straight into the sea. This year, we have crafted a menu of alcohol-free, low-calorie cocktails, designed for those who want to enjoy the ritual of the aperitif without compromise. I usually accompany this moment with a Basil Smatcha, our signature drink made with matcha and basil. Fresh, vibrant, subtly herbaceous.
And the dish you end the night with?
Our best-seller: the slow-cooked Provencal lamb shoulder. A generous dish that tells the story of the land and the cuisine of the South, passed down from generation to generation. At Lily of the Valley, everything is about balance. We move, we take care of ourselves, and we allow ourselves the true pleasures of the table without guilt. That is the French way of staying healthy.