20+ x delicious remote places or the most beautiful rural hotels in France
Traveling to well-known destinations with everything you need is of course great. But why not go somewhere more remote? If possible, go to those addresses where the WiFi does not work. Okay, okay, one bar so you can just give a sign of life. Recover. As is possible at these addresses: de 20+ x remote places in France where you need to be for your rest. Nothing at all for a while. But in a smart jacket, after all, we did not suddenly become blind.
And for those who are going on a road trip by car: don't forget your environmental sticker. Ready to travel will arrange it for you. Bon voyage!
Here, tackle this one too: the most beautiful addresses in Provence
Hotel Le Barn is located 90 kilometers south of Paris. You drive through nature past cute French villages and meadows, after which you arrive at the hotel. Huge amounts of land, a sauna, a large fireplace and a lot (really a lot) of cheese and wine. Either: recharge yourself.
The whole thing looks more like one western ranch, or a spot stolen from the Cotswolds, so rich in greenery. The food, on the other hand, is a thoroughly French affair. All dishes included restaurant La Serre are a masterclass in Gallic country cuisine, served in a sun-drenched greenhouse (provided it's shining, you understand).
A relaxing and romantic stay in a small castle, blissfully surrounded by vineyards, just a few minutes by taxi from Champagne-Ardennes train station: Chateau de Sacy. Not completely remote, but it sure feels like it. The small hotel is located in an archetypal Champagne setting in the middle of the vineyards. Silence. Occasionally a church bell. Sometimes a winegrower. That's it. The castle, which dates from 1850, has three floors and is very quirky. It was built from a ruin, so many old elements were retained, but all new luxury could be added. There are miles of parquet and silk, velvet and muslin and with 12 rooms the hotel remains intimate (but not so small that you feel like you are visiting someone). Highlight? An end afternoon in the hot tub 'behind' the hotel, of course. Vineyards as far as you can see and the result is those grapes in your hand. The dream.
20 minutes drive from Reims
A paradise in France. Pure nature, that's what you get in return when you book a stay at Chambre d'hôtes Beaux Songes, in the heart of the southern Ardèche and the Regional Natural Park of the Monts d'Ardèche. You get a kind of royal and charming feeling at this bed & breakfast. Not surprising for a former monastery farm from the 16th century. There are now several rooms available to book.
Those who want to go out can go swimming, canoeing, cycling or walking. And those at home can swim in the garden, play table tennis or relax in the hammock. In the evening you will join the table d'hôtes dinner for dishes with products from your own vegetable garden or completely local.
For those who were planning on skipping Central France, think again. In the oh so beautiful Berry region you will find La Maison du Cerf, just three hours south of the City of Love. You can easily fill an entire holiday there, and for those who en route to the South it is also completely parfaitYou will find five lovingly furnished rooms that are exactly what you expect from a bed and breakfast. Each room has its own bathroom and honestly, you could spend a whole day in bed (those box springs!). But hey, the beautiful nature and swimming pond are calling.
Walking through the woods, chilling in the gigantic garden, a game of jeu de boules, and if you want to join the 'Table d'hôtes' in the evening, the cooking skills of Peter and Jolanda are always appreciated. There is also plenty to do in the area, so you will not be bored here.
Dear all. It's FANTASTIC here. Think of l'Anneke d'Aubrac as a Swiss log cabin meets Scottish pub in the countryside meets French idyll and you're pretty much in the right place. There are 5 rooms and you sleep there for about 100 euros per room per night, depending on your timing (they are closed in winter). These are 2 important things before we continue with all the positive noises because that means that 1) they are often full and that 2) it seems much more expensive than it actually is. Oh, and they love dogs there. Like And further? Furthermore, as mentioned, it is one Tolstoy novel come to life where you can certainly enjoy your stay in spring and autumn, as the places around the gigantic fireplace are the nicest. The village of Aubrac is also a picture where time seems to have stood still - beautiful.
Exactly between Toulouse and Lyon
No castles, graying wood and lavender groves for a while? Maison Jalon is your man. The accommodation is much sleeker, with a modern design meets retro (yes, that's possible) decor. A picture! Although the site remains French through and through, partly thanks to the incredibly sweet French owners. The owners lovingly work in the kitchen themselves and prepare breakfast.
Previously it was run here by a Dutch couple, but that is no longer the case. However, the two set the tone of this beautiful place, about an hour and a half below Paris. Beautiful, beautiful is the place and the perfect tip for those who want a carefree relaxing holiday, or who want to get married in one of the most beautiful and well-kept parts of France. There are now eleven 'rooms': all beautiful, ranging from 'double standard' rooms, a petit suite, a grande chambre, to the super suite. See for yourself. That is to sleep and/or get married, both recommended, but if you are in the area - well, almost in the area - then drive around the block so that you can sit down for one of the delicious lunches or dinner (but book in the latter case you will immediately be given a room so that you do not have to return via the dark winding roads) - a large bowl filled with vegetables and fish or meat from the season in advance, a main course also depending on the supply and with a hefty cheese board of course . It is not expensive at all: 28 euros for the three courses. Make a reservation, that goes without saying.
Two hours drive southwest of Paris
A 15-minute drive from Aix en Provence (and it's so much fun there! Read more: South of France/Aix en Provence)
Admittedly, the search for a nice campsite often starts with quite a bit of doubt. We don't want mass production, not too much commercialism and certainly not too much hysteria (as in kids entertainment). The answer to the search question when life gives you France? Huttopia.
Read more about huttopia
Arcachon is located in the southwest of France, less than half an hour's drive from Bordeaux. There is a beautiful 18th century villa high on a hill somewhere. Sounds like the beginning of a fairy tale, right? Spoiler alert: it is. This gem of a holiday villa houses Winter City Hotel: a magnificent boutique hotel that exudes French charm and comfort. We want! On y goes à Hôtel Ville d'Hiver, Arcachon.
Read more about Winter City Hotel
No, this is really not a joke: these (tree) huts with a spa are for real and the small ecological paradise is near the town of Quercy, more than an hour north of Toulouse on a truffle estate (!) of about 9 hectares. And that's crazy! But really. Yes, we say that about several addresses in this list, but Pella Roca is exactly what the intro to this letter promises: nothing at all, but at the most beautiful possible. Is there internet? Nope. Detox is on. Dogs welcome? Yes. The breakfast? That is a basket with coffee and tea, delicious home-baked fresh bread, home-made jams, local meats, also home-made muesli, skewers with fruit, freshly squeezed orange juice and more. It is delivered to the decking in front of your bedroom every morning – heavenly. Also heavenly is the 'Nordic' bath that you rent privately (included in the price, but you do have to register, given that it is 'private'). The bath is heated by wood to 38°. You sit down and then… Listen to the birds. There are only two cabins and at around 280 euros per cabin per night it is not cheap either. But hey, then you have something.
Montcuq is a small romantic village located on the Lot river where nothing – really nothing – happens. Okay, not at all, because there is a weekly market and that is highly recommended. At the market there are two unmissable stops: the English lady with the best nut cake, plums in wine and jam, and the herb lady with herbal salt. Not to be despised. Where to stay? At Chez Jane. Jane is an English lady who has lived in France for quite some time. Her house is in the center of Montcuq and is everything you hope for in a quiet, yet typically French stay: cozy furnishings, lots of art (also made by Jane herself!) and, last but not least, mega – mega – good food: Jane can really cooking very well. For tips on food, markets or whatever you want: Jane knows the best places. Real.
1,5 hours north of Toulouse
Not just staying at it small-scale Bel Estiu itself is beautiful; the surroundings are also beautiful. A few kilometers from the residence you will find the medieval city of Sarlat, the Vézère Valley and the Dordogne Valley with its picturesque castles. Back to the house. You will find the fully restored house in the countryside in the Périgord Noir. The ideal place to sit back and enjoy. Nothing more and nothing less.
Old terracotta tiles, oak floors, warm colors and vintage decoration here and there. The house has three bedrooms upstairs with their own bathroom. You will also find a living room, reading corner, dining room and an equipped kitchen where you can chat with your fellow Francophiles. Read more about hotel Call Estiu
In the middle of the green heart of France, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, lies Domaine Bonneblond: a vast estate of 70 hectares where you sleep between the trees, eat at long tables and wake up in the morning with a view over the swimming lake. Dana and Eva, two young women, went all out for their dream here and built a place where you would rather never leave. Glamping, bell tents, tree houses, studios or a camping spot for your own tent or camper – here you choose how you spend your holiday.
Join the guest table or nestle in a hammock with a glass of local viognier. Kids build huts, dogs are allowed off the leash, and you don't really have to go anywhere. But if you do: flea markets, vineyards and forests are just around the corner.
Who says the holidays are over? Somewhere near Dijon on the way home from the Cote d'Azur (or not yet started in the other direction) you should really take a break at Hermitage Saint Roch. We are talking about a renovated old monk's house where you should preferably arrange it in such a way that you can continue to eat. The man of the house cooks with so much pleasure and with products from his own garden and the region, that joining us is a pleasure. Oh, and wine, that's what the people at Hermitage Saint Roch love too. And how. With each course you receive a carefully selected glass (or 2/3), everything in balance. That is of course delicious, but don't forget to look outside every now and then: the view is beautiful. The whole story repeats itself during breakfast: everything tasty, everything homemade, love everywhere.
An hour north of Dijon
This is the kind of place where you want to take all the beauty around you home with you copy-paste. The huge trees, vintage pots with palm trees and other tropical greenery. The surroundings are almost indescribable, so fairytale-like. You will find this beautiful estate on the edge of Saint-Remy-de-Provence. As soon as you arrive you get that wow feeling. Believe us, you secretly don't want to go home the minute you wake up Chateau Des Alpilles you have arrived..
In the middle of one of the most famous wine regions of France, Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence, you will find Château de Sannes. This estate with country house is a dream, or the French way a dream. You have to pinch yourself when turning up the driveway to the castle. On either side you see vineyards, and in the distance a stone building from 1603 (!) with large windows and blue shutters. And just leave that stone building Domaine de Sannes are. In other words, the place to enjoy French (summer) life.
Stroll through the beautiful gardens of Château de Sannes, splash in the indoor swimming pool, settle down in the sitting room - with a good glass of wine and cheese board - and sleep like a king in one of the guest houses. Speaking of guest houses, the interior is just as amazing as the exterior of this estate. In the rooms you see a mix between classic, rural and chic. Think of red velvet, wooden furniture and gold accents.
30 minutes drive from Aix-en-Provence
This place!! You don't really want to say it, but still: Oh Em Djie. All the beauty in a unique French spot and exactly as a unique French spot 'from the books' should be. The styling couple behind Les Petites Emplettes – a bit like Amsterdam Sukha, but different (with more color especially, the most beautiful shades of green): people with taste who do everything that people with taste can do, such as furnishing (Sukha did, among other things, CT Coffee and Coconuts). You will preferably stay in one of the gites, rooms or caravans on the site, but you are (sometimes) also allowed to bring your own camper/tent. Otherwise, make sure you are in the area for one of the evening meals that make the 'by the books' pale in comparison.
1,5 hours northeast of Bordeaux
In Angresse in south-west France, almost close to the Spanish border, we discovered a new dream spot where it is the best retreat. For two people, but certainly also for those traveling with little ones! Together, Corenthine and Antoine are at the helm of their Coco Barn Wood Lodge in France. Corenthine (beautiful name, beautiful person) loves horses, so they are there too, and there is even a place to stable your own, if you happen to have a horse in your pocket, or have come that way (although we consider it chance small). This also means that rides can be made on the back of the animals. It is the perfect place for that, between all the forest, meadows and the river. Not a fan of bouncing on the backs of noble animals? Then you can - in addition to the usual walking and cycling - play paintball, paragliding and do just about any water sport right up to the horizon. Village festivals and markets are regularly organized in the area. It's fun. And very French too. Read more
Put us in a castle and you won't have a child with us. Put us in an ornamented marble bath in a castle in France, and we might never give a dissatisfied kick again. If you also want a portion of that, then set a course for it very quickly Château de Bagnols, in the beautiful, rural, thoroughly French town of Bagnols. Bagnols? More oui! Bagnols-sur-Cèze to be exact. It is not far from Avignon, and about 30 kilometers from Lyon (the second city of France and such a surprisingly nice city!), and it is a nice city, although we estimate the chance that you will go there after you checked in here, very small. In and around Château de Bagnols, in the heart of the Beaujolais (aha, you can already feel the mood…). Examples? Apart from that bath? Sure. The hotel itself has no less more than eight centuries of history; you can imagine that the staff does not speak out about this. And yes, that is special entertainment. The same applies to the prestigious hotel restaurant: 10/10, promised, not to mention the wine list that - of course - features wines from our own (and nearby) soil. The castle moat, the imposing walls, towers and golden ornaments are surrounded by vineyards and set in classic (beautiful) French gardens. If you want to get some fresh air and/or finish your meal, you're in the right place. The rooms and suites are decorated with restored antiques and murals – and no, that is anything but dusty and old-fashioned but tasteful, impressive and timeless. Read more
There on top of the mountain, on top of the mountain... that's the definition of it epic: Château de la Chèvre d'Or. EPIC. trustus. The castle once belonged to a goatherd (chèvre) – she should know – and was taken over by Robert Wolf (You know. Or you don't know. Anyway: that is that American business giant) and then, on the advice of Walt Disney, transformed into a hotel. It's worth a visit just for that past. But it doesn't end! It became – as said – an unparalleled hotel. To start off quietly, all rooms are 'just' very cozy in terms of size and design, but even the cheapest room has a view that cannot be beaten.
Between Nice and Monaco
In the middle of the southern French city of Béziers (between Montpellier and the Spanish border), there is a pearl hidden behind a high hedge and trees. The name? La Villa Guy Beziers. It is a hotel; in the middle of a one hectare protected park. This park contains several sculptures by Magrou and Injalbert – special much! You will be among modern, restored historical heritage, it doesn't get much more special than that. The Andalusian accents appear everywhere, with Napoleon-style rooms here and there.
The hotel has a garden that you thought could only be seen in the booklets. A Mediterranean and neo-Moorish garden with a real fountain. Right, save that. Bring a good book, lie down on the grass somewhere and you will have a great day. The swimming pool is located at the rear of La Villa Guy with a view of the church. There are white parasols with sunbeds and seats here and there to relax in. The pool has access to the garden with a stylish staircase in neo-Moorish style. Read more of book immediately.
A bed & breakfast in a charming 17th century building. Romantic, atmospheric and simply very beautiful, it is La Minotte. The twenty meter long swimming pool in the garden is magical and the garden itself green, greener, greenest, almost tropical. You will also find one here looking terrace with a few nice retreat areas. Truly an oasis of peace. La Minotte is also the right place for dinner. Another reason to stay the night, so that the 'bob' can also enjoy all those French wines. Prepared from Wednesday to Sunday Chief a changing menu. Three courses for 39 euros per person, no money for plates full of local organic products. Make a reservation.
The owners (a friendly couple) of this one in-the middle-of-nowhere camping but more luxurious have two very big advantages. 1) they traveled a bit and saw plenty of hotels and B&Bs to steal the style from. 2) his architect. Well. Back home after years of travel, the four found a truly incomparable place in the heart of the Auvergne, 900 meters above sea level on the ruins of an old quarry. There they built their Le Bois Basalte: an eco-resort with eight cabins (for two people, four or eight), a spa, a restaurant and a vegetable garden. Rest. And nothing else.
2 hours west of Lyon
We've said it here before and we'll say it again: Normandy in Northern France it's beautiful! The rugged coast, the unspoiled nature, the authentic rural life and the picturesque villages and towns... And you can get there in no time with your own car!
Where are we going to sleep? Good question. Okay, we may be a little biased, but hey, can we have one? Because the three very cozy Gîtes that Yvonne, Rick and their four Dutch-Frenchized children, originally from Brabant, own in the beautiful northern French Normandy are a small holiday dream. Lieu Thomain is the name of their place, remember that name. Better yet: from the summer of 2021, a house in the adjacent village will also be added! Really (but really) a lot of fun, especially for those who are on holiday with the small stuff. Read more
Eight beautiful houses on the Côtes d'Armor in Brittany, that's something Into the Prairie is. And when we say handsome, we really mean handsome. The houses are on the land of owners Corentin and Liz Lamour, who have renovated all the houses themselves. Each house is unique and each is furnished with natural materials. Sustainability is important to the two and this can be seen in the natural materials used and the vintage furniture for the interior. Five of the houses have a fireplace, where you can sit by with a glass of wine in the autumn months. And that in the middle of the Brittany hills and a stone's throw from the rugged coastline. Each house has an extensive kitchen where you can cook delicious meals with the ingredients you bought at one of the many markets in the area and you can use the farm's vegetable garden and greenhouse where you will find herbs and even edible flowers. Sounds like a French dream, immense?
