Rooms

The effervescent style and scale of the 14 rooms and suites is quite something; sparkling 18th-century elegance flows throughout, the difference between them is size. Colours are regal: reds, greens, golds and blues.

Each room flaunts high ceilings, soft light, and a lavish embroidered elegance throughout. You'll find draped crowns above the beds, sweeping curtains, crystal wall lights and bowls of dried roses. The huge beds come smartly attired with pure white cotton, woollen blankets and quilted bedcovers. Fling open the windows and you feel you can reach out and touch the tops of olive trees.

One of the huge Deluxe rooms has murals on the wall, a walnut armoire, a wood and marble floor, and 19th-century radiators. We stayed in a Suite room, and loved the velvet, emerald-green walls and terrace overlooking the gardens. The Superior rooms are smaller, but far from small, and just as opulent. If outdoor space is important, some Junior Suites come with terraces. And if you've got kids in tow, there's a Family Suite with two bedrooms.

Bathrooms are exquisite: expect the deepest claw-foot baths with big fat cymbal shower heads above, thick white towels and bathrobes, and, of course, the obligatory chandelier.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Hairdryer
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

In summer you eat breakfast (extra charge) in the garden. The tables are scattered about so you have a little corner to yourself. In winter, tables are set up in a former chapel. Whatever the season you get croissants and pain au chocolat, as well as baguettes. There are lovely jams, freshly-squeezed juices, cereals, bowls of fruit, pots of tea and coffee, and eggs if you want them.

For snacks and light meals, you can request a platter of fresh crudités or a platter of French cheeses, accompanied by a basket of bread, a bottle of wine and some fresh fruits. Prices are fairly high, but the choice of settings is unbeatable - a candlelit salon, in front of a roaring fire, in the orangery or in a secluded spot in the gardens.

Otherwise, you can eat your way around the world in Nîmes, so take to the streets and follow your nose. There are a handful of Michelin-starred restaurants a stone’s throw away, as well as quaint French bistros hidden through the cobbled streets of Nîmes’ old town. If you want to sit and drink coffee, head to Le Café Carré and gaze upon La Maison Carrée, an impressive Roman temple.

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Dinner by arrangement
• Lunch by arrangement
• Restaurants nearby

Activities

• Nîmes is a hive of Roman architecture in wonderful nick. The amphitheatre is one of the best-preserved in the world, while the Temple in Place Carrée is the only fully-preserved Roman temple in the world
  
• Head to the northwest corner of town and visit the Jardins de La Fontaine. They date to the 18th Century and are one of the finest public gardens in Europe. Marble and white stone statues and urns are all built around a spring that was the centre of a 1st-century Roman shrine
  
• Continue up to Uzès, one of France’s best-preserved medieval towns; market day is Saturday
  
• Head northeast to Avignon for the 15th-century Papal Palace and the famous bridge; southwest to Arles for all things Van Gogh and a super little provincial town; or south to the long, sandy beaches of the Camargue

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Historical sites
• Museums / galleries
• Traditional cultures

Kids

Children are welcome, and there's a family suite, but this is a more grown-up place, with lots of delicate antiques and an atmosphere of romance.

Family friendly accommodation:

The Family Room is comprised of two bedrooms (both doubles), so can sleep a family of four. Extra beds can be added to most rooms.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Jardins Secrets is in the centre of Nimes near the station. Nimes is mid-way between Montpellier and Avignon in the south of France.

By Air:
Nimes is the closest airport (10km), but Marseille is also close (90km).

From the Airport
Jump in a cab or hire a car (see below).

By Car:
Car hire is available at both airports, and Nimes and Avignon stations. See our car rental recommendations.

By Rail:
The TGV serves Nimes and Avignon (45km).

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