Hotel Lous Grits

A stylish Gers retreat which marries the traditional craftsmanship of Gascony with top contemporary design

On a high bluff overlooking the rolling hills and wooded valleys of the Gers, Marsolan sees little passing traffic apart from pilgrims following the Way of Saint James towards Santiago. The Pitron family, seduced by the village's utter serenity and its ancient stones, have fashioned their diminutive hotel in keeping with the spirit of the place, taking an ancient occitan proverb as their touchstone: Oun grits e y a, Diù qu'habite - 'Happy the home where a cricket is to be heard'.

The original 18th-century chai was taken down stone by stone, then reinvented by some of the region's finest craftsmen so as to combine the building's original materials with top Noughties creature comforts. Every last corner has manicured good looks yet it retains an almost monastic feel thanks to things aural taking a front seat: rooms have a state-of-the-art music system and on arrival you'll be handed a CD of classical music. Lous Grits eschews the mundane in favour of inner nourishment and is a perfect choice if you're looking for R&R of the most peaceful kind.

Highs

• 5 sumptuously comfortable guest bedrooms
• One of the loveliest regions of Gascony is right on your doorstep
• Meticulous decorative detail with heaps of original paintings, mosaics and stone work by local artists
• A sense of retreat, of inner sanctum, and of real repose
• A chance to experience the gastronomic delights of the Gers, home to magret, foie and armagnac

Lows

• A stay here is no cheap treat, but it's well worth the splurge
• Don't expect much in the way of action: the village has just 250 souls