Once a silkworm factory, tannery and pottery, now a special self-catering spot to which fresh bread and croissants are delivered each morning. Against a pastoral collage of lavender, thyme, river and canal, discover a constellation of sandy stone gîtes around a sturdy bastide. This is the home of lovely Françoise, Belgian-born, who, in high season, does a weekly table d’hôtes at a lively long table. It took her a year to convert the gîtes so beautifully; each is spacious, fresh and uncluttered, naked stone walls contrasting with rich colours. There are open-plan sitting rooms with corner kitchens and coffee machines, terraces, barbecues and snow-white linen. Each has something special: Le Billiard gets three terraces; L’Atelier (over a little stone bridge) is wheelchair-friendly; La Voûte has a vaulted sitting room and a scarlet sofa. Saunter past the old mill wheel to a pale, pale pool framed by lawns and heaps of loungers. How to keep busy? The list is long: hilltop forts, Roman ruins, wine-tasting, tennis, hiking and biking and, come autumn, truffle-hunting with Françoise. A gorgeous hostess, a gem of a place.
This is such a lovely place in the heart of a beautiful region. The rooms were spacious, comfortable and very clean. Bathrooms were also large with lovely smellies from Provence. Breakfast is a feast with home-made yogurts, fruit compotes, jams, delicious cakes (special mention to the lemon drizzle) and of course fresh bread and pastries. Our hostess, Françoise, was a wonderful guest, extremely welcoming. Our children loved the swimming pool, tennis court, table tennis and bikes to borrow. And the two gorgeous and friendly beagles. We absolutely loved our stay and will return next year.