Belle Vigneronne, Montagnac, Hérault
Belle Vigneronne is one of those places you could easily miss, if you don’t know about it. In fact, I drove right past, and that was when we were looking for the property. Keep your eyes peeled for a tall village house covered in a dark green vine that snakes its way up the wall, and a discreet sign reading Chambres d’hôtes: this B&B is one of those French gems you would be sorry to have overlooked.
Owners Jérôme and Philippe took on the project of renovating and redecorating this old winery; the result is a trendy, chic and welcoming place to stay, where period features blend tastefully with modern style. They encourage guests not to bring children, as this is a place for relaxation and calm.
With a friendly manner and a voice full of humour, Philippe showed us around the property, where every detail – from the stunningly colourful tiled floors, to the designer chairs in the dining room – is thought through. The building’s past life is celebrated through the names of the five bedrooms: Chardonnay, Merlot, the suite Picpoul…
I was given Sauvignon, an elegant room with a four-poster bed and a huge bathroom running the length of the adjoining building.
Surrounded by high walls covered in vines, the inner courtyard stays cool yet sunny throughout the day. Breakfast is served here, under the shade of red parasols, on blue-painted crockery. The owners offer a continental breakfast, including seasonal fruit (we enjoyed deliciously sweet melon), fresh croissants and cold meats. I was particularly partial to the interesting array of teas and infusions, a rarity in France.
There is a small triangular pool in the corner, perfect for cooling off after a day’s sightseeing. Our stay was too short to appreciate all that Belle Vigneronne has to offer but it is a place 1 would return to, as a base to explore the region, or simply to indulge in a little affordable luxury.
L’Enclos des Lauriers Roses, Gard
Little does one suspect that behind the small reception of this hotel in Cabrières lies a hamlet-within-a-village. Clustered around four swimming pools are several small Provencal cottage rooms, each with a slightly different decor – with names such as Mimosa and Amaryllis – yet all full of the warmth and colours of the South of France.
L’Enclos des Lauriers Roses is a privately run three-star hotel, where everyone in the Bargeton family lends a hand: husband and wife look after the restaurant, with Monsieur acting as sommelier, while their two sons maintain the buildings and gardens. You can enjoy delicious food in the dining room or alfresco, and head off for visits to Nunes, Avignon or the beaches, with the knowledge that the pools will be waiting for you to take a refreshing dip at the end of the day.