Rooms

Gauthier worked with the architectural 'bones' of the original structure as he dressed each space, merging stone steps, tiny square windows and pitched roofs with whimsical items and unexpected splashes of colour.

Tucked into the farmhouse rafters, the 3 rooms - Heureux qui comme Ulysse, Tour du Gui and Baron Perché - have exposed beams and views of the garden. All have in-room sinks and Baron Perché also has a huge in-room tub set beneath a window; Tour du Gui and Heureux qui comme Ulysse have separate showers.

The 5 suites are larger and have lounges. Fleur Dumas boasts an original tiled floor, a shady private terrace with a daybed, and a glorious 1930s-style bathroom with claw-foot tub. Belle du Seigneur, set in the oldest part of the house, has a fireplace, sinks behind the bed and a shower hidden behind a glass panel. Chant du Mûrier is located in a separate building, so it’s ideal for couples seeking seclusion. It has a small terrace and we liked its curtains and cushions, made from recycled marine blankets. We hope to view Suite Odyssee and Suite Ecume des Jours on our next visit. They offer exposed stone walls, wooden beams and bright living areas; Odyssee has an in-room tub while Ecume des Jours has a mezzanine level.

We could easily have settled for a week in the sprawling Petit Prince Apartment thanks to its added space, kitchenette and 22sqm terrace with sweeping views of the surrounding countryside.

All rooms are heated and air-conditioned, with kingsize beds. Bathrooms are luxuriously outfitted with heated towel rails and organic Damana products. Suite Ecume des Jours and Petit Prince Apartment have enclosed bathrooms, others are at least semi-open to the bedroom area.

Features include:

• Hairdryer
• In-room treatments available
• WiFi

Eating

In addition to freshly squeezed orange juice and pots of coffee or tea, you can savour a gourmet breakfast of locally made yoghurt and cheeses, fruit from the garden, smoked salmon and charcuterie, French bread and croissants, and Gauthier's homemade jams. There’s even a machine for boiling the perfect egg. Linger on the sunny courtyard or in the dining room.

Salads and snacks are always available for lunch, based on what is ready to be harvested from the kitchen garden. You’re also welcome to bring food back and enjoy a picnic in the sauvage garden, though drinks should be ordered on site. If you’re staying in the Petit Prince Apartment, you can make simple meals in the kitchenette (fridge, hob, dishwasher and coffee-maker).

Most evenings, either the chef serves either a 3-course table d’hôtes or a la carte dinner is served by candlelight in the courtyard (6 nights per week). Part of the fun of 'dining in' is the delight Gauthier takes in bringing you samples of ingredients to smell. Our soup was a complex blend of cilantro, sorrel and cumin, accompanied by salmon topped with toasted pine nuts. It was delicious, as were the following courses: seasoned chicken in a simple tomato sauce, and a flourless cake sweetened with the first plump cherries of the season (picked on the property, of course). Special menus are available for vegetarians and children.

On days when dinner isn’t served, Guy and Gauthier are happy to make reservations at local restaurants, including the imaginative La Table 2 de Julien in Montaren, and Le Comptoir du 7, both within a short drive.

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Lunch by arrangement
• Organic produce
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• Relax at the hotel. Sunbathe by the pool, picnic in the garden, read on one of the benches reclaimed from Marseille’s Saint-Charles railway station, or enjoy a lazy game of pétanque
  
• De-tox in the eucalyptus-scented hammam, then have a massage with a visiting therapist (must be booked in advance)
  
• Explore the countryside around Baron. Rent bikes or walk along marked trails, through hills, vineyards and plains dotted with oak, fig and olive trees. In the hamlet of Marignac is a viewpoint from where you can take in the entire valley, from forested Cévennes in the west to the medieval towers of Uzès in the east
  
• Potter around Uzès. Climb the Bishop's Tower for panoramic views, and shop at one of France’s finest markets, held in the Place aux Herbes on Wednesdays and Saturdays
  
• Explore local villages. Guy and Gauthier can provide brochures, maps and suggestions, covering everything from the best markets to the most secure places to park. We particularly enjoyed browsing the ceramics galleries in Saint Quentin la Poterie, and wandering along the picturesque streets of Vézénobres and Lussan
  
• Hike along the Concluses de Lussan, a series of wide gorges with caves, waterfalls and natural swimming pools
  
• Marvel at the Pont du Gard. This 3-tiered aqueduct, built in the 1st century AD, runs for 50km and once carried water to the Roman colony of Nemausus, now Nîmes
  
• Take day trips to the Maison Carrée in Nîmes (one of the best-preserved Roman temples in the world), the Palais des Papes in Avignon, the vast Saint-André Fort at Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, and the vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape
  
• Get active. Guy and Gauthier can point you in the direction of all sorts of outdoor pursuits, from paragliding to climbing

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Climbing
• Cycling
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Horse riding
• Hot air ballooning
• Kayaking
• Museums / galleries
• Paragliding
• Plantlife / flora
• Private guided tours
• Rafting
• Shopping / markets
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Well being
• Wine tasting

Kids

While this is more of a peaceful adult retreat, children are welcome in some rooms. Note that there are steep stone steps within the apartment and around the house and gardens.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

Baby cots can be added to the Chant du Mûrier and Fleur Dumas Suites; the latter also has a double sofabed which can sleep 2 children or 1 adult. The Petit Prince Apartment and Belle du Seigneur Suite also have sofabeds, but cannot accommodate baby cots; the apartment also has a kitchenette.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

La Maison d’Ulysse is located in the tiny village of Baron, 13km north of Uzès and within an hour’s drive of Nîmes and Avignon, in Provence, southern France.

By Air:
Fly into Nîmes (40km away), Montpellier (80km away), Marseille (137km away) or Béziers (141km away). Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving these airports.

From the Airport
Bus services are available from the above airports to Uzès, and La Maison d’Ulysse can arrange a taxi transfer from there. However, you really need a car to make the most of the area, particularly as you’ll have to drive out for dinner most evenings.

By Train:
Avignon and Nîmes are served by high-speed TGV trains from Paris and other French cities, as well as some seasonal Eurostar services from London (the journey time is around 6 hours). La Maison d’Ulysse can arrange a taxi transfer to the guesthouse, or you can take a bus as far as Uzès. See Seat 61 for more information.

By Car:
We advise hiring a car - click here to see our recommendations. It’s an easy drive from the above airports, and there is a private car park within the walled grounds of the guesthouse.

Detailed directions will be provided when you confirm a booking through i-escape.com.

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