Le Clos Saint Saourde

A gorgeous farmhouse encircled by vineyards with magnificent rooms built into the side of a rock face

The pool at Saint Saourde looks out over the vineyards of Beaumes de Venise, home to one of France’s most delicious sweet wines, a true nectar of the gods. It’s a fabulous position, reason enough to check into this peaceful retreat, but there is more than that to keep you happy. First, there’s the house itself, rescued from neglect, now shining proudly amid the vineyards. Then there’s the matter of four seriously cool rooms, all of which are built into the side of a rock face, making them candidates for ‘most luxurious cave dwelling ever.’

As for what lies beyond, this micro-area of vineyards, mountains and hillside villages is every bit as lovely as the house. You can potter off to nearby caves and taste local wines, lose yourself on country roads and end up in beautiful villages, head down to Avignon and plunge into its pot of culture, perhaps drive (or cycle) up magnificent Mont Ventoux, one of the great climbs of the Tour de France. If that all sounds a little tiring, then bake by the pool all day. You can make your own lunch, pour your own drinks; there’s a kitchen on the terrace for exactly that purpose.

Highs

• Four magical bedrooms built into the rock face – pure Flintstone chic
• The guests’ kitchen on the pool terrace, which means you can make light lunches, chill drinks and lounge by the pool all day
• The immediate area – Les Dentelles de Montmirail, vineyards, hilltop villages and Mont Ventoux all on your doorstep
• We love the look of the secluded tree-suite with its raised deck and jacuzzi
• Don’t miss the sublime Muscat wine from the fields around you (book through i-escape and you'll find a bottle in your room, with compliments)

Lows

• No bathrobes, but other than that, we're struggling to find fault
• You’re quite remote, so there’s no night life beyond local bars and restaurants
• The bedrooms in the Grange (the self-catering cottage) are, by comparison, small and simple. It can sleep 10, but would be claustrophobic with more than 8