My wife and I will be in southern France in late July, and we're trying to figure out where to stay. Our initial research turned up the fantastic-looking Le Degoutaud, but I've been unable to get ahold of them to check availability (my e-mail, fax, and telephone calls have gone unanswered, unfortunately). From what I've read of the place, as well, it seems likely there might not be any availability anyway. Dissappointing, because Le Degoutaud looks like the ideal place for us: rural, but not too far from Avignon and Aix-En-Provence (which we'd like to make day-trips to), and to some great wine country (like Chateauneuf-du-Pape). The Le Degoutaud property looks fantastic too; the sort of farm/gardens where you could easily spend a day or so just wandering and relaxing. They've got a pool too, which is important to us for the time of year we're visiting! Finally, the food sounds fantastic... local, authentic, etc. Yet, no response from them, and we'd like to book very soon. Can anyone recommend anything similar, in a similar location? We'd like to spend a maximum of about Cdn$200 per night (so, about 150 Euro). Thanks! ~Geoff and Jennifer
Posted by
Lake Oswego, Oregon
1326 posts
Geoff - I don't know if it's in your price range but we went to a wine tasting at Domaine de Mourchon outside Seguret that was fantastic and they had a great little cottage they rent out. If it doesn't fit your needs, it's still worth a visit for the wine and hospitality. The views are outstanding and the owners are very welcoming. Another option is to rent a gite if you are staying a few days. We were very happy with France Homestyle; they have a number of properties in Provence. Our house had a pool and was just outside Lourmarin.
Posted by
Ottawa
1446 posts
Geoff, if this is the place you really have your heart set for, don't give up yet. Two factors: 1. Many family-run operations like this one typically close completely in Nov/Dec and it's their turn to indulge in their wanderlust. The French often take off for longer than we do... In addition, many of these places only open their bookings early in the new year, so try again after the holidays. Also try timing a tel call for around 10PM their time - it's not too late for them at all and you're more likely to catch them. 2. I've noticed that numbers and e-mails often change in Europe. They also don't always the foreign language pages of their website(s) as assiduously. So double check the contact info that you have. Here's what I came up with for Le Degoutaud, from other websites as well: TEL / FAX: + 33.(0)4.90.62.99.29 Email: [email protected] Webmaster : [email protected]
(may be able to get you nate contact info) In the same area: http://www.barroux.org/index.php/renseignements/logements-a-gites.html http://villagemalaucene.free.fr/malaucene_hebergement_chambresdhotes.htm I hope this helps!
Posted by
Ottawa
1446 posts
I seem to having real problems posting and editing, with words and parts of words not coming through, so that's "update the foreign language" and "alternate contact info".
Posted by
Ottawa
1446 posts
Finally, here's a formula for first contact that has worked well for me: TITLE: Réservation - X nuits BODY: Bonjour, Auriez-vous de la disponibilité pour une réservation pour X nuits, arrivée le 00 juillet, pour X personnes? Merci beaucoup. Salutations, M. your name
home address
Posted by
Portlandia
3313 posts
Very likely they're closed for the holidays and not responding to e-mails. This is their vacation time.
Posted by
Germany, Germany
813 posts
Try www.chateauxhotels.com
The site is in English and the hotels are fantastic.
Posted by
Ottawa
1446 posts
Hi Geoff, Here are a few links for places that I had bookmarked: http://www.villachantecoucou.com/heberg.html http://www.lasarrasine.net/index.html http://www.masdemiejour.com/index.htm http://www.olivettes.com/ http://www.mas-des-vertes-rives.com/Accueil,2.html
http://www.mas-mellou.com/index.htm These had caught my eye at some point in my research and seem to be around the area that you want, if Le Degoutaud doesn't happen for you. Have fun browsing! BTW - my vote would be for the Le Mas de Miejour.
Posted by
naches, wa, usa
182 posts
i love isle-sur-la-sorgue. especially in the hot summer. it may not be nice enough for you, but i love, "Le Pont des Aubes Chambres." a lovely b & b on the sorgue river. great breakfasts, super nice room. close to orange, avignon, arles, [email protected].
have fun, be safe.
Posted by
OP
Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada
26 posts
Thanks, everyone, for all of your helpful responses! My wife and I planned, after reading your comments, to wait until the new year before trying again at Le Degoutaud. However, after browsing around for a few other "bacuk-up-plan" locations, we came across Les Carmes, in a town called Le Thor, very close to L'Isle Sur La Sorgue. I suppose if were we afforded the choice of a room at Le Carmes or Le Degoutaud, we might be inclined to pick Le Degoutaud, if only because of the RS (and others') glowing recommendations, but we think that Le Carmes looks fantastic (very highly rated on Trip Advisor, too). The property looks nice (though not as nice as Le Degoutaud), the rooms look great, the proprietors sound extremely friendly and helpful (though they're English, not French... not that that's a negative), they've got a pool, and as a bit of a bonus for us as "quasi-foodies", their in-house chef's cooking seems like it'll be second-to-none. So, as of yesterday we're now booked in The Pommier room, at a very reasonable 90 Euro per night. And we're very excited :-)