Russell Crowe, a Convent & The Count of Monte Cristo - Part I (Languedoc)
Autumn 2009
The autumn gloom has arrived in London but the sun is still shining in the South of France.
23 degrees may not be hot enough for frolicking on the beaches of St Tropez but on the edge of Provence it’s a very pleasant temperature as you head for the hills of Languedoc-Roussillon .
Take a cheap flight to Montpellier and hire a little convertible for two. About an hour or so north west of Montpellier, is the village of Herepian. Follow the hotel’s directions carefully, otherwise you’ll miss the turning into the tiny street where Le Couvent d’Herepian sits opposite the church.
This 250-year-old convent has been converted into a stylish small hotel whilst retaining the cloistered character of its ecclesiastical history, vaulted rooms and narrow corridors. The spacious suites are more apartments than hotel rooms. Suite 5 has a long private terrace. A large bathroom separates the airy bedroom from the living room. All three rooms have double French doors, which open onto the terrace.
The decor is a showcase for ‘Cote Table’, the en vogue French home and garden design brand. Everything from the furniture to the oven mitts is 'Cote Table'.
Yes, oven mitts.
The suites include a well-equipped kitchenette with ceramic hob, microwave and even a dishwasher. The combination of the kitchenette and sunny private terrace creates the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the excellent local bakeries in Herepian or the hypermarket a few minutes drive towards Bedarieux. At around €200 a night Le Couvent d’Herepian offers exceptional value.
Stunning villages such as Saint Guilhem le Desert are only about a one-hour drive away so it really is the perfect base for touring the sights and vineyards of Languedoc.
When you tire of Languedoc, head east towards Aix-en-Provence, ideally on a Saturday or Sunday morning. Isle Sur la Sorgue is reputedly known as ‘The Venice of Provence’, a beautiful town built on five ‘islands’ of the river Sorgue. The whole town is geared towards antique markets, which open at weekends.
Call in advance and reserve a table for lunch at Jardin du Quai, a restaurant close to the railway station. The restaurant is a converted garage, which still has the original Michelin tyre signs by the door. Ask for a table outside in the garden. On a warm, sunny, day, the setting is perfect. Even the occasional rumble of a passing train does not detract from, what will inevitably become, a lengthy lunch.
23 degrees may not be hot enough for frolicking on the beaches of St Tropez but on the edge of Provence it’s a very pleasant temperature as you head for the hills of Languedoc-Roussillon .
Take a cheap flight to Montpellier and hire a little convertible for two. About an hour or so north west of Montpellier, is the village of Herepian. Follow the hotel’s directions carefully, otherwise you’ll miss the turning into the tiny street where Le Couvent d’Herepian sits opposite the church.
This 250-year-old convent has been converted into a stylish small hotel whilst retaining the cloistered character of its ecclesiastical history, vaulted rooms and narrow corridors. The spacious suites are more apartments than hotel rooms. Suite 5 has a long private terrace. A large bathroom separates the airy bedroom from the living room. All three rooms have double French doors, which open onto the terrace.
The decor is a showcase for ‘Cote Table’, the en vogue French home and garden design brand. Everything from the furniture to the oven mitts is 'Cote Table'.
Yes, oven mitts.
The suites include a well-equipped kitchenette with ceramic hob, microwave and even a dishwasher. The combination of the kitchenette and sunny private terrace creates the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the excellent local bakeries in Herepian or the hypermarket a few minutes drive towards Bedarieux. At around €200 a night Le Couvent d’Herepian offers exceptional value.
Stunning villages such as Saint Guilhem le Desert are only about a one-hour drive away so it really is the perfect base for touring the sights and vineyards of Languedoc.
When you tire of Languedoc, head east towards Aix-en-Provence, ideally on a Saturday or Sunday morning. Isle Sur la Sorgue is reputedly known as ‘The Venice of Provence’, a beautiful town built on five ‘islands’ of the river Sorgue. The whole town is geared towards antique markets, which open at weekends.
Call in advance and reserve a table for lunch at Jardin du Quai, a restaurant close to the railway station. The restaurant is a converted garage, which still has the original Michelin tyre signs by the door. Ask for a table outside in the garden. On a warm, sunny, day, the setting is perfect. Even the occasional rumble of a passing train does not detract from, what will inevitably become, a lengthy lunch.
Be Frank: agree or disagree? What do you think?
