La Maison Papillons

Rooms

There are 6 rooms, including a self-contained apartment in the garden (the Duplex). We stayed in Room 1, and fell head-over-heels for its original curved ceiling and exposed brickwork. A table, made by Olivier, rests atop a hand-woven rug; wildflowers sit in vases on wooden shelves, and the sumptuous bed is covered with white linens and a soft grey throw. The bathroom is lovely too, with patterned tiles, organic toiletries by Océopin, and a rainfall shower.

The other rooms are similarly striking, some nestled beneath the eaves. Room 4 has a vast bathtub and an extra bed (good for families), Room 5 has a lovely sitting area. Room 3 is the largest, and comes with a living room and wood-burning stove plus a south-facing balcony. We’d recommend the Duplex for couples; beautifully romantic with huge windows at the end of the bed, a basic kitchenette, and a fireplace in its living area. Room 1 is cool ground-floor sanctuary with low vaulted ceilings; be aware that the only light and ventilation is from the glassed door.

Note, there are no bathrobes or TVs. All rooms have access to the guest lounge, terrace and courtyard bar.

Features include:

• Coffee / tea making
• Hairdryer
• In-room treatments available
• Toiletries
• WiFi

Eating

Breakfast is served on the vast terrace (or in the kitchen on rare grey days), and is a marvellous French feast. The local baker drops bread and pastries off at the house each morning, and Caroline complements these with homemade pancakes, local honey, fresh yogurt, seasonal fruit, organic granola and an array of cheeses. We loved sitting in the morning sun, overlooking the mountains, sipping on fresh coffee and talking to the other guests. Duplex guests can have breakfast for an additional cost.

Caroline can put together picnics on request, and you can join evening meals with advance notice a few evenings a week. Generous tapas platters are also available. The courtyard bar opens each evening and provides a lovely space for guests to come together.

There are some excellent restaurants in the surrounding villages - ask Caroline and Olivier for recommendations (you'll need to drive).

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Dinner by arrangement
• Lunch by arrangement

Activities

• Laze by the pool, then play a round of petanque, accompanied by a glass of local wine from the honesty bar
  
• Visit the Caverne du Pont d’Arc, a replica of the original Unesco world heritage site: it holds some of the earliest cave paintings ever found, and they are simply awe-inspiring
  
• Hike in the Cevennes national park, or hire bikes; the Tour du France loops through this area, and Olivier can recommend routes and even guide you
  
• Spend a day at the Gorges de l’Ardèche, an impressive canyon with steep walls, sandy beaches and free-standing arches spanning the Ardèche river. The drive through the gorge is spectacular, or you can hire kayaks to float through
  
• Cycle to local vineyards
  
• Head to medieval La Roque-sur-Ceze, one of the most beautiful villages in France, with pretty cobbled streets. While there, walk along the river to the impressive Sautadet Falls and swim in the river
  
• There are fantastic regional markets; nearby Barjac's is on a Friday morning, and many of the stall holders are local farmers, craftsmen and bakers. At Easter and in August there is an international brocante (antique and second-hand market)

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Cycling
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Horse riding
• Kayaking
• Mountain biking
• Plantlife / flora
• Private guided tours
• Shopping / markets
• Wildlife
• Wine tasting

Kids

La Maison Papillons welcomes children aged 8 and over, though it is mostly aimed at adults to keep the peaceful atmosphere.

Family friendly accommodation:

Rooms 1, 2 and 4 can fit an extra bed. Rooms 2 and 4 can be set up as triples on request.

Distances:

• Airport: 90 mins (Nimes)
• Shop: 5 minutes' walk

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

La Maison Papillons is in Monteil, 3km from the village of Montclus and 12km from Barjac and Goudargues in southern France.

By Air:
The nearest airport is Avignon - a 50-minute drive - but you could also fly into Nîmes (96km away), Montpellier (132km away) or Marseille (141km away). Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving these airports.

By Train & Car:
Take the TGV to Avignon or Montélimar and hire a car from there. There’s secure parking on site, as well as an electric car charger.

Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.

More on getting to France and getting around