Rooms

There are five in total, each individually designed and suitable mainly for couples. All feature European queen-sized beds, Baralinge organic cotton bedlinen and separate Italian showers.

The largest is the Caramel Room – also known as the girlfriends’ room as it can accommodate four people – decorated in cream, chocolate and caramel. It overlooks the Rue des Bourgades in the village.

The other four Standard rooms are for couples. The Yellow Room is decorated in soft greys, brown marble, and gold upholstery, with vibrant pops coming from a few artful polka dots on the walls. The Black Room is decked in cream and features an entire wall with a monochrome mural of a garden. The Striped Room is in muted grey/green with splashes of colour coming from the caramel stripes on the wallpaper, and it overlooks the old ‘carmel’ (village orchard). The Green Room is perhaps the funkiest with a striking garden mural, corner couch, and olive walls and accessories.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Central heating
• Hairdryer
• Toiletries
• WiFi

Eating

We hear breakfast is a highlight. Taken in the verdant walled garden in good weather (or inside in the breakfast room with its pannier-adorned walls), at colourful tables with bright chairs, Pierre and Nathalie create simply delicious dishes on pretty patterned plates. Local produce is deployed to great effect – perhaps a fresh fruit salad, home-made marmalades, fresh bread, pastries such as croissants or pain au chocolats, fresh orange juice and sweet treats like apple or apricot pies.

Ardèche is renowned for its vineyards and produces excellent wines, including Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Vivarais. The area's terroir also yields fruits, such as cherries, apricots and chestnuts, which often feature in traditional dishes.

Local restaurants (auberges) are must-visits for those keen to experience authentic Ardèche cuisine. They’re often rustic, warm and inviting and offer traditional dishes such as Caillettes (meatballs), Cassoulet (bean stew with sausages and pork), and Crème de marrons (sweet chestnut cream). The more adventurous can try the region's hearty Tripoux (stuffed sheep's stomach). Additionally, Ardèche is famous for its goat cheeses, such as Picodon, which pairs delightfully with the local wines.

But Les Vans itself has many top-rated restaurants including the Michelin-starred Likoke, which is just a five-minute walk away; Nathalie and Pierre will advise on local options for you.

Features include:

• Breakfast
• Restaurants nearby

Activities

• This part of the world boasts stunning landscapes, the most famous of which are the Chassezac gorges, often referred to as the local Grand Canyon. Canoeing, paddling or rafting along Chassezac river with the limestone cliffs rearing on all sides is quite the spectacle; sport climbing is popular too
  
• The most impressive sights nearby are the natural arch Pont d'Arc, an impressive 59 metres across, and the Chauvet Caves, which contain some of the world's earliest known figurative paintings. Evidence of prehistoric inhabitants is seen in plentiful arrowheads and standing stones
  
• Ramblers and hikers should head to the Païolive Woods, a vast nature reserve filled with lush vegetation, wildlife such as eagles and falcons, and huge limestone statues carved by nature
  
• This is market country with almost all the local town squares packed with bustling stalls selling produce, wine, arts and crafts and antiques. The Les Vans market every Saturday morning has been voted second favourite market in the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region, but there are others in Payzac, Bannes and Joyeuse, and a summer night market in Barjac
  
• Madame Les Vans also provides electric bikes to go town-hopping or explore the countryside – handy for an area with a lot of mountainous terrain

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Caves
• Climbing
• Cycling
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Kayaking
• Mountain biking
• Rafting
• Shopping / markets
• Swimming
• Yoga

Kids

Only children over 12 are allowed.

Best for:

Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

The Caramel Room sleeps up to 4, so is the best bet for a family with teens.

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Madame Les Vans is located in the small market town of Les Vans, in the Ardèche region of southwest France.

By Air:
The nearest major airport is Montpellier, about 2 hours away, or Marseilles (2hr30m), but you can also fly to Nimes (98km) which is about an hour and a half away.

By Car:
Most will have a car to explore the region. Pick up a vehicle at any of the airports or rail stations. Check out our car rental recommendations.

By Train:
There are also trains from London to Les Vans, although this involves at least two changes and an average journey time of around 11 hours.

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