Languedoc - Le Couvent d'Herepian
Autumn 2008
Frank's view 
'First rate for an affordable luxury break'
Take a cheap flight to Montpellier, hire a little convertible for two and head for the hills of Languedoc for the most affordable, perfect, luxury break.
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 in sharp contrast to the warren-like common areas of the hotel. Upon booking, one of the two English ladies who run the hotel, recommended Suite 5 on the first floor. This is more of an apartment than a hotel room, with a private terrace running the full length of the suite, complete with table, chairs and sun loungers. The view over the village towards the hills is stunning but the hotel garden below was in serious need of attention.
A large bathroom separates the airy bedroom and living room with all three rooms having double French doors, which open onto the terrace. A shower attachment is positioned over the good size bath and toiletries are by L’Occitaine.
The suite is a showcase for ‘Cote Table’, the en vogue French home and garden design brand. Presumably a very substantial discount had been negotiated as 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 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.
The heart of the hotel is the kitchen where guests help themselves to breakfast and can either dine around the large kitchen table with other guests or wander off towards the garden. However, Le Couvent is not particularly geared up for catering and offers a limited lunch and dinner menu. My suggestion is to lunch out, pick up some local produce on your way back and enjoy an evening on the terrace of your new home. There’s even some excellent local wine around, particularly from Faugeres, which is only a few kilometres away. Alternatively Le Couvent has an ‘honesty bar’ with a good range of wines and other drinks.
A word of warning; the hotel recommended the L’Ochre Rouge restaurant, close by, for dinner.
It was awful.
Make sure you take your own ipod and plug it into the suite’s Bose speaker system. The very safe musack on the pre loaded ipod supplied was not for this camel.
Suite 5 cost me €190 per night, which is exceptional value. Stunning villages such as Saint Guilhem le Desert are only about a one hour drive so it really is a good location for seeing Languedoc. Enjoy lunch out, return to Le Couvent spa for an Ayurvedic massage and a quiet night in.
The Camel’s companion loved Le Couvent d’Herepian and was constantly popping down to the kitchen for endless cups of tea and a chat with the hotel staff.
This small hotel, which only opened this year, deserves to do well.
Le Couvent d'Herepian
Herepian
Languedoc
0033 4671187150
http://www.couventherepian.com/
Special Offer for all Le Couvent d'Herepian Guests
Sandra MacDonald of Le Couvent d'Herepian has kindly offered ArsyCamel readers who reserve a room at Le Couvent d'Herepian a complimentary pot of locally made organic confiture. Simply mention the ArsyCamel offer when you book. (Arsycamel.com receives no benefit or commission from Le Couvent d'Herepian.)
'The private terrace of Suite 5'
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 in sharp contrast to the warren-like common areas of the hotel. Upon booking, one of the two English ladies who run the hotel, recommended Suite 5 on the first floor. This is more of an apartment than a hotel room, with a private terrace running the full length of the suite, complete with table, chairs and sun loungers. The view over the village towards the hills is stunning but the hotel garden below was in serious need of attention.
A large bathroom separates the airy bedroom and living room with all three rooms having double French doors, which open onto the terrace. A shower attachment is positioned over the good size bath and toiletries are by L’Occitaine.
The suite is a showcase for ‘Cote Table’, the en vogue French home and garden design brand. Presumably a very substantial discount had been negotiated as 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 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.
The heart of the hotel is the kitchen where guests help themselves to breakfast and can either dine around the large kitchen table with other guests or wander off towards the garden. However, Le Couvent is not particularly geared up for catering and offers a limited lunch and dinner menu. My suggestion is to lunch out, pick up some local produce on your way back and enjoy an evening on the terrace of your new home. There’s even some excellent local wine around, particularly from Faugeres, which is only a few kilometres away. Alternatively Le Couvent has an ‘honesty bar’ with a good range of wines and other drinks.
A word of warning; the hotel recommended the L’Ochre Rouge restaurant, close by, for dinner.
It was awful.
Make sure you take your own ipod and plug it into the suite’s Bose speaker system. The very safe musack on the pre loaded ipod supplied was not for this camel.
Suite 5 cost me €190 per night, which is exceptional value. Stunning villages such as Saint Guilhem le Desert are only about a one hour drive so it really is a good location for seeing Languedoc. Enjoy lunch out, return to Le Couvent spa for an Ayurvedic massage and a quiet night in.
The Camel’s companion loved Le Couvent d’Herepian and was constantly popping down to the kitchen for endless cups of tea and a chat with the hotel staff.
This small hotel, which only opened this year, deserves to do well.
Le Couvent d'Herepian
Herepian
Languedoc
0033 4671187150
http://www.couventherepian.com/
Special Offer for all Le Couvent d'Herepian Guests
Sandra MacDonald of Le Couvent d'Herepian has kindly offered ArsyCamel readers who reserve a room at Le Couvent d'Herepian a complimentary pot of locally made organic confiture. Simply mention the ArsyCamel offer when you book. (Arsycamel.com receives no benefit or commission from Le Couvent d'Herepian.)
'The private terrace of Suite 5'
Be Frank: agree or disagree? What do you think?
