Be our guest !
The guest-house definitely offers a more congenial atmosphere.
By the sea, in the countryside or mountains, the guest-house definitely offers a more congenial atmosphere and is appreciated by more and more fans.
Why do people prefer it to a hotel room ? For its friendliness and casualness. As soon as you arrive, you feel as if you’re expected by friends waiting for you with open arms. In their home, and therefore in a house. It could be a 19th-C. residence (La Tour Manda), a 16th-C. “bastide” (Château de Saint-Côme), an 18th-C. country house (Le Relais du Peyloubet) or perhaps an authentic Provençal “mas” (Mas Saint-Véran). With all the appropriate decor, of course. At the Villa Estelle (a former inn dating back to the 14th century) in the medieval village of Le Haut-de-Cagnes, antiques and artworks rub shoulders with others in contemporary style. The same goes for La Maison du Frêne, described by its owner as a “demeure d’art et d’hôtes”, a beautiful 18th-C. mansion in Vence. In all these guest-houses, discretion is a priority, with first prize undoubtedly going to Toile Blanche, an address deliberately kept almost secret by the Leroy family. At Saint-Paul-de-Vence, this is the ideal spot to flee the madding crowds while being within easy reach of Nice, Cannes and the beaches. For guest-houses are also just that : family-run businesses offering a regenerating pause in our daily lives. Up in the mountains, as at Le Chant du Mèlé (at the heart of the National Mercantour Park) and Le Relais Fleuri at Thorenc, or nearer the coast, as at Un Ange Passe, Le Mas Samarcande and Le Roquebrune at Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, natural surroundings ensure a great breath of fresh air. And if your hosts don’t propose on-the-spot sports or leisure activities, they know all about local possibilities for sightseeing and recreation and are more than ready to share them with their guests. At Les Rosées in Mougins, Kilpérick Lhobet, who has opted for “unostentatious luxury”, takes his concern for his guests’ tranquillity to extremes : no televisions in the suites, but a pool, rose garden and century-old olive-trees. For those who dream of going back to their childhood for just a few days and climbing the trees, Orion proposes its tree-houses. From your refuge, you spy on squirrels and admire the houses of Saint-Paul-de-Vence whose silhouettes stand out against the deep blue sky. And what about a dip ? The natural pool, like a mountain lake, adds extra charm to the authenticity of this address where time seems to stand still. At dinnertime, some of these addresses invite their guests to table. Very chic (as at Toile Blanche) or in family style, as at Le Chant du Mèlé. Refined cuisine on spotless tablecloths with delicate porcelain or a big table with local fare and flavours – whatever ! The main thing is not just the food, but also this new way of spending a weekend or the holidays halfway between total escapism and the very pleasant feeling of sharing time with friends.
Carnet
Château de Saint-Côme, chemin de Saint-Côme, La Cadière d’Azur (04 94 90 07 71). La Maison du Frêne, 1 place du Frêne, Vence (04 93 24 37 83). La Roquebrune, Corniche inférieure, 100 avenue Jean-Jaurès, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin (04 93 35 00 16). La Toile Blanche, 826 chemin de la Pounchounière, Saint-Paul-de-Vence (04 93 32 74 21). La Tour Manda, 682 route de Grenoble, Nice (04 93 29 81 32). Le Chant du Mèlé, 970 chemin des Huerris, Valberg (04 93 02 57 88). Le mas samarcande, 138 grand boulevard de Super Cannes, Golfe-Juan (04 93 63 97 73). Le Relais du Peyloubet, 65 chemin Plâtrière, Grasse (04 93 70 69 90). Le Relais Fleuri, 180 chemin du Château des 4 Tours, Thorenc (04 93 60 02 56). Les Rosées, 238 chemin de Font neuve, Mougins (04 92 92 29 64). Mas Saint-Véran, 164 avenue des Cyprès, Domaine de Valcros, La Londe-les-Maures (04 94 66 56 80). Orion, 2436 chemin du Melvan, Saint-Paul-de-Vence (04 93 24 87 51). Un Ange Passe, 419 avenue Jean Leonardi, La Colle–sur-Loup (04 93 32 60 39). Villa Estelle, 5 montée de la Bourgade, Cagnes-sur-Mer (04 92 02 89 83).
By Cécile Olivéro - photos : press.
