Driving through the suburbs of pretty Tarascon, you’d be forgiven for wondering where the ancient farmhouse-come-B&B was hidden. And this is the magic of Mas Armelin, it is truly a hidden gem, tucked behind creaking iron gates, boasting a serene and intimate vibe, and an inviting pool glimmering in huge shady gardens. The ancient mas which dates back to the mid-1700s is now a lovingly restored, super-chic guesthouse with just four guest rooms and a ton of Provençal character. We’re talking rustic powder-blue shutters, dreamy rosemary-scented gardens and some seriously swoon-worthy decor that reflects the surrounding region (flamingo-print wallpaper, we’re looking at you). Plus there's a two-bedroom apartment with kitchenette – perfect for families with younger kids.
The guesthouse is run by the friendly French owners Doriane and Cédrick, who moved here in 2024 - their first foray into hospitality, and they are determined to make it work (Doriane was mid-English-lesson when we called by). They can happily advise on the best restaurants, walks, bike rides, stables, golf courses and wineries in the area. You're in the epicentre of Arles, Nimes, Avignon and Saint Remy de Provence; all lie within half an hour's drive. It's like staying with cultured Francophile friends, laced with an extra dose of chic and charm.
Highs
- We loved the sprawling shady, lawned gardens dotted with flowers and sculptures (especially the hidden yoga corner), it feels like a true oasis
- There are two stylish guest salons and plenty of outdoor terraces too – so no shortage of space to relax
- Excellent value for money, even during peak months
- A handy location for Arles, Avignon, Nimes, Camargue & the Alpilles
- Great for foodies; breakfast is a delicious mix of pastries and local products, plus there are lots of good restaurants nearby helmed by acclaimed chefs
Lows
- Tarascon, on whose fringes the mas sits, is not a classic tourist base, but an authentic, Rhone-side town with castle and markets (the entrance to the mas is along a quiet residential street)
- The pool isn’t heated, so can be chilly in shoulder season
- You’ll need a car to get around but there’s plenty of free parking; local cabs can be expensive
- No bathtubs, just (newly installed) showers, and the pool-side Double rooms feel a little dark
- Only one bedroom – in the Apartment – can be set up as a twin. Note that the Apartment is only available in high season, it becomes two separate rooms for the rest of the year
Best time to go
April to May is our favourite time to visit the region, when the flowers start to bloom, the restaurants and cafes reopen and the crowds are yet to arrive. Autumn is stunning and still pleasingly mild. Summers are hot and busy – not a problem if you decide to spend days here by the pool.
Our top tips
Tarascon castle - the seat of the last Provençale king – is well worth a visit. Kids will enjoy the crypt of the legendary Sainte Marthe, who tamed a fearsome dragon to save the town's residents – an event colourfully commemorated in the annual Fete de la Tarasque: this 4-day festival over the last weekend in June sees costumed parades, bull races, concerts and bodegas.
- Boutique Guesthouse
- 4 rooms
- Breakfast + snacks on request
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
Our favourite room was the Junior Suite, La Forêt, which is set in a separate stone house within the garden. The two pool-side Double Rooms , Ciel and Oiseau, are a great choice for couples, or for families with teens. Also ideal for families is the two-bedroom Family Apartment, Bergerie, with a tiny kitchenette and its own small private garden. Note that between September and mid-June, the apartment can also be booked as individual Deluxe Rooms, Petit and Grand Mouton, with a terrace and shower bathroom each.
All are cleanly styled with a largely black (or grey) and white palette, splashy floor-to-ceiling wallpaper that acts as a headboard and a few retro-industrial touches. Even better, all come with a private terrace of some sort, plus views of the pool or lovely gardens. There are no TVs, but WiFi is fast.
Sleek contemporary shower bathrooms come with toiletries, plenty of towels (including pool towels), and bathrobes on request.
Features include:
- Hairdryer
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
Breakfast is a beautifully relaxed affair, and carefully curated plates of food are served either in the stone dining room overlooking the garden, or on your own private terrace in warmer months. Choose between a sweet-only plate or a sweet-savoury mix, but expect locally-sourced products from crispy pastries, succulent local cheeses, cold meats, creamy yoghurts, fresh fruits and much more.
For other meals, there are plenty of great restaurants in Tarascon, including several classic French restaurants and open-air bistrots. If you're happy to drive or cab it, we love Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, where the picture-perfect old town is ringed by high-quality eateries. Other excellent options can be found over the bridge from Tarascon in Beaucaire, or of course in Arles and Avignon – the owners can advise.
Or, if you don't feel like heading out, they can prepare (with advance notice) a snacky supper - think salads and platters of cheese, cold cuts etc.
Features include:
- Breakfast
- Dinner by arrangement
Activities
- Explore the handsome, historic, tourist-free centre-ville of Tarascon: a jumble of cobbled streets, pavement cafés and shuttered mansions within ancient walls, plus a forbidding riverside castle
- Art lovers should visit LUMA in culture-packed Arles, Carrières des Lumières in picturesque Les Baux de Provence, and the institution in Roman Saint-Rémy-de-Provence where Van Gogh lived and painted some of his most famous works (including ‘The Starry Night’, ‘The Almond Tree Branch in Bloom’ and ‘The Iris’)
- Check out The Alpilles Natural Park (15 mins' drive), with its craggy limestone hills dotted with ancient villages and soaring raptors; there are hiking and biking trails galore. In the shoulder season old-time drivers and motor-cyclists take to the little twisty roads
- Head to Nîmes (30 mins) for some of the finest Roman monuments outside Italy (a huge arena and several temples), plus lovely gardens and a strong food scene (try the epic indoor market of Les Halles)
- The famous wetlands of the Camargue (45 mins) will delight birdwatchers and horse riders; we also loved walking the medieval walls of Aigues Mortes and lazing on the beach of Plage de Piemanson
- It's not much further to the calanques (rocky creeks) and sparkling blue seas of the Cote Bleue
- Other nearby attractions include 3 golf courses, countless wineries, and the Papal Palaces of Avignon
- Book a cooking class (min 2 people, max 4) and feast on your labours afterwards; this needs to be reserved 2 weeks ahead
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Birdwatching
- Boat trips
- Cycling
- Golf
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Horse riding
- Mountain biking
- Museums / galleries
- Shopping / markets
- Wine tasting
Kids
While there aren't any specific facilities in place for kids beyond the pool and the safe, enclosed gardens, children of all ages are made very welcome – and we think they will love it here. A note to parents: the pool isn't fenced. Extra beds and cots can be provided in all rooms apart from the Doubles, which are better suited to couples; and i-escape guests can add a cot to their booking for free.
Best for:
Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years)
Family friendly accommodation:
The Family Apartment can comfortably fit families as it sleeps up to 5 with two bedrooms (one of which can be arranged as a twin) and a sofa bed, and has a small kitchenette as well as its own private terrace and garden. The Junior Suite can take a family of 3. Those with older kids can book the two Double rooms, which are next to each other by the pool.
Kids Activities on site:
- Board games and puzzles
- Swimming pool
- Large garden
Kids Activities nearby:
- Horse riding
- Kayaking
- The immersive art exhibitions of Carrieres de Lumieres in Les Baux de Provence
- Hiking in the Alpilles
- Cycling
- Beaches of the Camargue – around 45 minutes away
Families Should Know:
Parents are required to supervise children under 12 around the pool at all times. Note that the Apartment is only available mid-June until the end of August, it is split into two rooms for the rest of the year
Distances:
- Airport: 1h30m (Marseilles)
- Hospital: 15 minutes (Arles)
- Shops: 5 minutes
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Mas Armelin is in the town of Tarascon, 15 mins' walk from the centre. It's about 30 mins' drive (or train / bus ride) from Arles, Avignon and Nimes.
By Air
The nearest large airport is Marseille Provence Airport (85km / 65mins). From the airport, it's easy to hire a car (see our rental recommendations); or you can catch a train to Tarascon (about 1h30) and then take a cab or Uber to the hotel (5 mins). You can also fly to Nimes (30km) or Montpellier (94km).
By Train
It's a surprisingly fast journey by TGV to Avignon (under 3 hours from Paris), and then a regular shuttle train to Tarascon (30 mins). From Tarascon station, take a cab or Uber to the hotel (5 mins).
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Marseilles 85.0 km MRS
- Nimes 30.0 km FNI
Other:
- Beach 50.0 km
- Shops 2.0 km
- Restaurant 2.5 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 5 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape