Maison Felisa

An easy-going spirit infuses this old stone house, with restful contemporary interiors and a pretty pool in its walled garden

Everything here is a treat. The 12th century village has narrow lanes, mellow stone soaks up the sun, the odd dog barks. There’s a bar and boules in the tiny square, a couple of good bistros you can shuffle off to, and you’re close to all the things you’d want to be close to: Uzès, Avignon, the Cèze valley and the vineyards of Chateauneuf du Pape.

All of which you risk missing if you check into the ever-so-pretty Felisa. This is an easy-going, young-at-heart, super-comfy place that encourages you to chill, with a 12-metre pool in the shady walled garden, a wood-burner in the airy open-plan sitting/dining room and essential oils burning on the staircase. Contemporary-style rooms are great value for money; splash out on the big rooms for huge balconies that overlook the garden, and help yourself to drinks from the fridge (very reasonably priced). Isa cooks on weekend nights; you can join Philippe for his morning yoga, or arrange various types of massage. It's an exceptional little place that gives more than most for less than most.

Highs

• The two balcony/garden rooms - worth the money
• The walled garden and shimmering pool
• Effervescent 30-somethings Isa and Phillipe, who keep the spirit sociable, cool and calm
• Excellent massages and facials
• An unspoilt corner of Provence yet a great base for exploring its highlights
• Avignon TGV station is close by; from London in summer it’s quicker to take the train than to fly
• Good value all round

Lows

• The cool interiors and Zen-like ambiance may be too contemporary for some
• Few mod cons in the bedrooms (no TV or phone) - a bonus for some
• Isa's delicious dinners are only available on Fridays and Saturdays (there are a couple of local restaurants in the village, but you'll have to drive further afield for gourmet fare)