Luxury B&Bs and hotels in Languedoc |
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Great places to lay your head in Languedoc
 Looking for a luxury B&B or hotel in Languedoc? The Languedoc-Roussillon region has plenty of options - hotels, self-catering gîtes, bed and breakfast (known here as chambres d’hôtes) - but how do you sort the great from the grotty, and find the place that best suits your particular needs?
No problem. We’ve done the cherry-picking for you. Smart designer décor or shabby chic? City-centre apartment or funky floating barge? Farmhouse surrounded by vines or down town pied-a-terre with bars and boutiques all around? Gay-friendly, child-friendly, pet-friendly, or just plain friendly? We’ve got all the options covered.
Hand-picked and personally vetted, all the luxury hotels and bed and breakfasts in Languedoc listed here have something special about them. We’ve included a variety of options to suit a range of budgets and lifestyles, but obviously the list is not exhaustive: do let us know if we’ve missed something really special. |
| Click on any of the places listed to read more about them |
  42 Rue Victor Hugo
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What is it, where is it?
  A luxury B&B in Languedoc with an upmarket twist, in an 18th century townhouse in Carcassonne (Aude). It’s ideally located just off Place Carnot (the main square, where the market is held) in the Bastide Saint Louis or lower town (in other words, not in the fairytale fantasy perched up on the hill, known as La Cité). This is a Good Thing: La Cité is thronged with tourists year-round, while the lower city is arguably more authentic and truly French.
This ultra-stylish chambre d’hôte is tastefully decorated and furnished (we’re talking Farrow & Ball all the way) and run by ex-London ad agency chap Peter and his creative director partner Debrah. There are two luxurious apartment-suites with independent access, each with reception room, double bedroom, black slate tiled shower room and kitchen area; the original moulded ceilings, parquet floors, carved double doors and stunning marble fireplaces keep the vibe authentic, but ipod players, wifi access, huge flat screen TVs and DVD players add to the fun.
We love...
Peter’s great value “Le Weekend” package, with airport transfer, breakfast, cocktails on arrival and a four-course dinner (all drinks included) thrown in. The fridge stocked with free goodies is very welcome, and the flexibility is good: Peter serves a great breakfast, in your suite or in the dining room, at whatever time suits you, and he happily picks guests up from the station or airport in his open top emerald green Audi – a nice touch.
Best for...
DINKYS (double income, no kids) or people who can leave the kiddos at home (42 rue Victor Hugo is conducive to romantic weekend breaks rather than family-flavoured fun, although babies and well-behaved pets would fit in fine). An ideal base from which to explore the real Carcassonne in Languedoc, and the World Heritage sites of the Canal du Midi and La Cité - if you can bear to tear yourself away from the fluffy bathrobes, Ren toiletries and boutique hotel ambiance.
How much?
A three-night Le Weekend package ranges from £450 - £475 depending on the season; extra nights are charged from £95. Shorter mid-week stays with or without dinner available on request.
Contact details
42 rue Victor Hugo
11000 Carcassonne
Languedoc
Tel. 04 68 25 14 08
www.42ruevictorhugo.com |
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 Baudon de Mauny
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What is it, where is it?
 An ultra-stylish luxury B&B in Languedoc set within an 18th century hôtel particulier (nobleman’s house) in one of the nicest streets in Montpellier’s historic centre. The interiors marry cool contemporary design with lovingly-preserved original features dating back to the 1700s; co-owner Nathalie de Bordas is an interior designer, and it shows.
We love...
The sense of history; step through the heavy wooden doors, cross the courtyard and you’re in another world. The attention to detail is charming, as befits the home of a professional interior designer; funky Marimekko lounging cushions, stags’ head coffee cups, stylish wallpaper plus Philippe Starck mirrors and table lamps makes this place stand out from the crowd (even the radiators are state-of-the-art). French owners Alain and Nathalie are quietly friendly and very discrete; you can come and go as you please, which creates the delightful impression that you really are chez vous.
Best for...
Sophisticated urbanites who want a luxurious, tranquil base in the heart of the city. Perhaps not ideal for boisterous children, but couples with babies can book the family “Butterfly” suite on the second floor which comes with a well-equipped kitchen just for guests’ use, and cots and children’s beds are available. No pets.
How much?
From €150 to €220 per night, breakfast €15 per person.
Contact details
Baudon de Mauny
1 rue de la Carbonnerie
34000 Montpellier
Languedoc
Tel. 04 67 02 21 77
www.baudondemauny.com |
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 Comptoir Saint-Hilaire
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What is it, where is it?
 A trendy retreat carved out of an18th century Provencal farmhouse, set in 50 hectares of Languedoc garrigue and woodland, at the foot of the Cévennes. Created by French designer Catherine Painvin (of chic childrenswear brand Tartine et Chocolat), this ultra-stylish haven is handy for shopping expeditions to Uzès, but once you get settled into this heavenly place, you’ll never want to venture out.
There are three rooms (L’Aube, Central Park and Dolce Vita) and three suites (Highland, Les Orgues, and Les Sables); select the theme that best suits your style. Central Park is all black and white, Manhattan loft minimalism, while Highland is tartan a go-go and comfy leather armchairs; Les Orgues is a two-terrace suite in myriad shades of green, inspired by the bamboo plantation (la Bambouseraie) in nearby Anduze. A dining room, library, tennis court and swimming pool (not heated) complete the picture. Not to be confused with Domaine Saint-Hilaire below!
We love...
… the fact that nothing is missing – there’s an excess of fluffy white towels, candles, good glassware, soft cushions and comfy pillows. Book the Aube room and you get not one but two bath tubs, and enough space to swing several cats. Talking of pets, they’re allowed provided they are well-behaved; as for children, they are welcomed with open arms.
Best for...
Naughty weekends (revel in the romantic, red velvet of the Dolce Vita room) and moments of sheer indulgence. Well-heeled parents might want to book the “Les Orgues” suite – its two bedrooms and living space can easily accommodate a family of four. Unlike many places, Comptoir Saint-Hilaire is open year-round, so it’s good for an end-of-year treat, too.
How much?
Rooms are €290, suites are €350 - €390 per night, with a three-night minimum stay in July and August. There is no restaurant, but meal-trays can be served for €25, ditto dinner (€50 excluding drinks).
Contact details
Comptoir Saint-Hilaire
30560 Saint-Hilaire-de-Brethmas
Languedoc
Tel. 04 66 30 82 65
www.comptoir-saint-hilaire.com |
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 Demure Monte-Arena
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What is it, where is it?
 An elegant 15th century Languedoc country house Bed and Breakfast with views of vines and lavender, three rooms and a mezzanine suite, a plunge pool and lovely courtyard, four kilometers from the attractive market town of Uzès. Owners Ménélik and Patrick have softened the property’s Protestant aesthetic with light touches (tasteful flowers and white muslin drapes are the order of the day).
We love...
… the fact that organic table d’hôte meals are available with 24 hours notice. And the fact that pets are welcome (there are cats in residence here). The pretty courtyard with its fountain and daybeds is a lovely spot to dream away the afternoon.
Best for...
Parents! An extra bed is available in the Aile Nord suite, or cots can be put into the other rooms, at a charge of €25 a night. Loving couples might enjoy the pretty pink Chambre Rose and its romantic canopy bed, plus the ensuite bathroom. The two other rooms (Chambre Bleue and Chambre Verte) share a bathroom down the hall.
How much?
€75–€150, including breakfast – and there’s a minimum two-night stay. Table d’hôte meals are charged at €25-40 per head, including aperitif, wine and coffee.
Contact details
Demeure Monte Arena
6, place de la Plaine
30700 Montaren et St. Médiers
Languedoc
Tel. 04 66 03 25 24
www.monte-arena.com |
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 Domaine Saint Hilaire
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What is it, where is it?
 A luxury chambre d’hôte (B&B) within a Languedoc wine domaine, tucked away amongst the vines between Montpellier and Béziers, near the village of Montagnac (Hérault). Not to be confused with the Comptoir Saint Hilaire above! This rural retreat sits within a 200-acre estate where British owners Anne and Jonathan James produce award-winning Vin de Pays d’Oc wines. Four guest rooms are housed within a recently-renovated 1780 bastide, with two reception rooms, a library, swimming pool and attractive grounds. All rooms are ensuite and have air-conditioning, satellite TV, bathrobes and toiletries. Dinner is served on Monday nights (handy, as restaurants in rural France tend to be closed on Mondays).
We love...
… the fact that you can buy delicious wine from the on-site shop. Being in the depths of the Languedoc countryside means you’d have to drive some way for a drink, so having it “on the doorstep” is ideal. All the little extras (fruit, mineral water, early morning tea, afternoon tea, pre-dinner drinks) for which there is no charge, and the generous buffet breakfast.
Best for...
Wine lovers (depending on the season, you can watch the whole process as grapes are gathered and then transformed); anyone looking for a traditional yet up-market rural idyll. For those travelling with babies there is a travel cot, and the Terral twin bedded room has a small kitchen which is handy for warming bottles. Domaine Saint Hilaire is ideal for exploring nearby Pézenas (Molière’s former stomping ground), the Mediterranean waterfront at Mèze, Sète’s seafood restaurants, or Bézier’s bull-fighting ring.
How much?
Room rates range from €120 – €170, with €20 reduction for single occupancy.
Contact details
Domaine Saint Hilaire
34530 Montagnac
Languedoc
Tel. 04 67 24 00 08
www.domainesaint-hilaire.com |
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 La Maison Pujol
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What is it, where is it?
 Five guest rooms and a pool housed within a former winery, surrounded by Cabardès and Minervois vineyards, 10 minutes from Carcassonne but light years away from the bland, run-of-the-mill décor sometimes found in French country hotels.
La Maison du Pujol is the home of former Parisians Philippe and Veronique Phi, who offer bed and breakfast plus evening meals as required. Architect-designer Philippe has put his stamp firmly on this characterful property to create a simple, spacious dwelling with clean, modern lines and some unusual touches (the former stable, manger still intact, now serves as the sitting room). The bedrooms are comfortable but uncluttered; the décor is sober (exposed stone, wooden floorboards painted white), livened up with splashes of colour. The furniture is a happy hotch-potch of junk yard finds, design classics and modern pieces - shabby-chic meets contemporary cool.
We love...
… the way Charles Eames and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe meet on the corner of Cabardès and Corbières, en route to the Cathar castles. An unlikely combination, but successful nevertheless.
Best for...
… design-literate couples looking for a stylish weekend retreat; cool-hunters with kids (there’s a children’s bathroom with fittings thoughtfully placed at just the right height, and an elevated swimming pool – impossible to fall into)…or just hunters, period (the whole house can be rented out for shooting parties).
How much?
From €80 to €110 per night, breakfast included; extra beds can be added for €20.
Contact details
La Maison Pujol
17, rue Frederic Mistral
11160 Conques sur Orbiel
Languedoc
04 68 26 98 18
www.lamaisonpujol.com |
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 Le Clos du Léthé
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What is it, where is it?
 The ultimate designer B&B in Languedoc. Imagine yourself six kilometers from the charming market town of Uzès, in a tiny hamlet of characterful, renovated stone buildings, surrounded by wild irises, mature trees and vines. From outside, everything looks charmingly traditional, but behind the high walls and tastefully weathered wooden door of Le Clos du Léthé lies another world altogether.
Walk through the garden dotted with lavender bushes and modern, minimalist fountains, infinity pool and jacuzzi, past the white linen-covered daybeds and huge white lounging cushions, and into the fabulous world of Pierre, a former Parisian product designer with fluent English and impeccable taste.
Choose from five stunning rooms - Plume, Blanche, 14, Suite and Africaine - each with its own distinctive style. Forget frou-frou frills: le Clos du Léthé features polished concrete floors, made-to-measure stone bath tubs and hand basins, and shades of sand, slate, stone and cream. Bulgari candles and toiletries are a nice touch, but what really adds the “wow” factor are the works of contemporary art (Bill Viola, Shirin Neshat, Nan Goldin, David LaChapelle) and the highly creative way rooms are decorated, furnished and lit. Each room comes with the requisite gadgets - flat screen TV, DVD, ipod and internet access, plus microwave oven and coffee maker.
We love...
The cookery courses (in English or French), held in Pierre’s huge, stylish kitchen (he can rustle up light lunch or supper platters to order, so you never have to leave the compound). The teak loungers set within their own shallow pool, and the billowing white sheets that cleverly create shade and privacy. The fact that each room has its own outside area (terrace or garden) for siestas, naked sunbathing or… whatever takes your fancy.
Best for...
Anyone with a thing for contemporary art, state of the art design, modern French cuisine and cutting-edge cool. Send the kids to granny and the dog to the kennels, and have yourself some sophisticated fun in a “grown-ups only” environment (if your tastes are more trad, try Le Mas d’Oléandre just across the road). A good base from which to hit Uzès and the Pont du Gard – although frankly, there’s so much to enjoy within the walls of le Clos du Léthé that you’d hardly need to venture out.
How much?
From €170 – 270 per night (minimum stay two nights), breakfast included. Reduced rates for stays of four nights or more. Open from Easter to late October.
Contact details
Le Clos du Léthé
Hameau de St. Médiers
30700 Montaren et St. Médiers
Languedoc
Tel. 04 66 74 58 37
www.closdulethe.com |
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 Le Couvent d'Hérépian
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What is it, where is it?
 A boutique hotel / luxury B&B within a former convent, in the Haut Languedoc town of Hérépian (Hérault), where 17th century charm meets 21st century luxury. There are thirteen suites with sleeping and relaxation areas and small kitchen (dishwasher, fridge, oven and hot plates), plus flat screen TV, ipod and DVD player (films are available free). There’s also a bar, a salon, a small spa and plunge pool and a solarium with views onto the garden and the rounded peaks of the Mont d’Orb beyond.
We love...
The pre-loaded iPod, with tunes selected by trendy London music consultancy Audio Sushi. The restrained design ethic is very much in keeping with the building’s past. The cosy salon with its log fire, magazines and newspapers is a great place to snuggle down. To truly unwind, a massage in the mini health spa followed by a dip in the relaxation pool does the trick.
Best for...
Calm contemplation (Hérépian is not exactly hopping, and the surrounding countryside is pretty peaceful), and exploring the natural wonders of the Haut Languedoc area. Children are welcome (although pets are a no-no), and the informal breakfasts served in the kitchen at a large communal table are fun for all the family
How much?
Suites are priced from €110 – €320; breakfast is €10 per person.
Contact details
Le Couvent d’ Hérépian
2 rue du Couvent
34600 Hérépian
Languedoc
Tel 04 67 11 87 15
www.garrigaeresorts.com |
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 Les Jardins Secrets
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What is it, where is it?
 A chic townhouse hotel, slap-bang in the centre of Nîmes, Languedoc, on the corner of classy and classic. As its name suggests, it has a wonderful walled garden complete with a pool, bougainvillea, palm trees, and aviaries of little chirping birds. Books, flowers, photos and antiques in the communal areas make this place look warm, welcoming and well-kept. The fourteen traditionally stylish rooms all look out onto the garden, and there’s TV and wifi access as you’d expect.
We love...
… the honesty bar (help yourself to drinks and leave the money on the side, please). The pretty garden is an oasis of calm in the centre of busy, bustling Nîmes, and it’s sheer heaven to take a dip in the pool or sit in the shade when the summer sun is beating down. This is one of the few places where pets are welcome (although you’ll be charged €20 for the privilege).
Best for...
Les Jardins Secrets is a romantic hideaway, perfect for honeymooners; also good for childless couples (or singles) travelling with Fido. Families would do well to look elsewhere: the house is full of expensive-looking objects that could easily be broken by sticky little hands, and frankly, the other guests won’t thank you for bringing your off-spring – it’s not really that kind of place.
How much?
Rates are €195–€350, and breakfast is another €20 on top. It’s not cheap, but it’s only five minutes from the train station and the Roman arena. With a host of restaurants, bars and boutiques all on your doorstep, you won’t need to spend money on taxis or a hire car to explore Nîmes, its ancient Roman architecture and its Sir Norman Foster-designed contemporary art gallery Le Carré d’Art.
Contact details
Les Jardins Secrets
3 rue Gaston Maruejols
30000 Nîmes
Languedoc
Tel. 04 66 84 82 64
www.jardinssecrets.net |
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 L'Apart des Anges
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What is it, where is it?
 A converted 40-metre commercial barge, permanently moored on the Canal du Midi at Cers, Languedoc, near the town of Béziers (nearest airports are Montpellier or Carcassonne). It boasts three double cabins, three separate terraces, a swimming pool and BBQ area, plus TV, DVD and free internet access. French owners Christophe and Jean-Philippe run a happy ship where the emphasis is firmly on good times. Four bicycles are available so you can pedal off into the sunset, across the vines, or wherever the fancy takes you; use them to explore neighbouring villages and local restaurants before clambering back on board for more relaxation.
We love...
… falling asleep to the sound of gently rippling water, and the sheer novelty of accommodation afloat. The pace of life on the Canal du Midi is glacially slow, so you cannot fail to relax, and the almost-imperceptible movement of the barge rocks you to sleep – bliss!
Best for...
… couples who want to kick back and chill in a quiet sort of way. Dogs are not allowed, and children would not be a good idea (the “man overboard” thing would be just too easy). Very gay-friendly.
How much?
Rates are €105-€125 for an overnight stay for two, with breakfast and brunch buffet included.
Contact details
Appart’ des Anges
Canal du Midi
34420 Cers
Languedoc
Tel. 04 67 26 05 57
www.appartdesanges.com |
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