Special Places to Stay - More than a bed for the night

The 19th-century farmhouse/barn has doubled in size – and comfort! Now all is welcoming, woody and warm: eco pellets fuel the boiler, windows bathe rooms in sunshine, and the décor is delightful. Surrounded by mountains and pastures, the house overlooks the hamlet of St Pons – alpine magical, breathlessly peaceful, apart from the odd cowbell! Friendly caretaker Nicole lives nearby and settles you in. Beamed country bedrooms are sunny and south-facing, with colour-coordinated fabrics and lovely new beds. At garden level is the chalet-style sitting room with a squishy leather sofa and a cosy wood-burner; at parking level, the huge kitchen/dining space with its long friendly table for mountain meals. Fondu and raclette sets are provided, food shops (and a good restaurant) are in Seyne, 3km. There are stairgates for little ones, DVDs, games, logs on the house; outside, a small garden opening to fields. This is year-round outdoorsy heaven, what with ski resorts Montclar and Le Grand Puy a ten-minute drive, the Lac de Serre Ponçon for watersports and beaches, and the river for canoeing, rafting and fishing.