You may well wonder why even seasoned hotel aficionados, Provence connoisseurs and we ourselves had never heard of the stunning Domaine La Ponche. The reason: It wasn’t really listed anywhere. The owner, Cédric George, a surgeon and entrepreneur from Zurich, originally intended it as a private vacation home for his rather large family.
Now that the children are a little older, Monsieur George has, thankfully, decided to open the house to guests. We visit quite a few hotels and vacation homes every year, but a gem of such exceptional quality is rare, even on our travels. So you may want to scroll straight down to the booking link and secure your dates for next summer.
The Area
Or read on for more about the house; the details are just as fascinating. Let’s start with the area. Coming via Geneva, you turn off toward Mont Ventoux near Orange, before Avignon, and pass signs for Gigondas and Châteauneuf-du-Pape. If you love red wine, you will think: This truly is heaven on earth.
The House
Cédric George greeted us at a cast-iron gate that opens onto a fairy-tale driveway. On the right are the estate’s vineyards and the bastide, whose stone walls date from the 18th century; on the left, a beautiful pool that is heated on cooler days. The whole scene feels like a 1970s French film, with a blazing evening sun slowly sinking toward the horizon.
The Rooms
La Ponche has six guest rooms, each completely different and renovated to the highest standards: magnificent natural tones on the walls, top-quality floors and bathrooms, and a touch of art, flowers and local finds. Top marks. Two rooms have a small adjoining room with an extra bed, and the others are big enough for an additional bed, so they are perfect for a family with one or two children.
The owner isn’t fond of air-conditioning, so in high summer the rooms are kept shaded during the day. During our visit, that worked perfectly, though the upper rooms can get a bit warm in July.
Food
La Ponche is a classic maison d’hôtes. Every morning, the housekeeper, Luisa, prepares a delightful Provençal breakfast: everything handmade, from the market and set out in French style. Just say the evening before when you would like breakfast on the stylish patio in front of the house. There is also coffee in the rooms. Lunch and dinner can be prepared on request, and we highly recommend it. What’s on the menu? Simple, fresh dishes, such as a vegetable platter, light fish or eggplant with ground meat, with a glass of the estate’s own wine. Magnificent.
Surroundings
Vacqueyras is about 40 minutes from Avignon, but locals tend to recommend heading the other way. We drove to Carpentras, for example, home to a charming café called La Maison Jouvaud, where you will want to buy and eat everything: tarts, chocolate cake, macarons. The Friday morning market there is a must, too. If you come in the off-season, bring your road bike and take on Mont Ventoux. Wine lovers can book tastings in nearby Vacqueyras, Gigondas and Châteauneuf-du-Pape; one of the most renowned estates is the Perrin family’s Château de Beaucastel.
Restaurants
Vacqueyras itself, just two minutes away, has traditional restaurants, but the La Ponche team keeps a list of charming spots within 25 kilometers (15 miles). We dined at Bistrot Les Safres in Piégon: a dreamy hillside setting at sunset and a small menu. A truly unforgettable experience.
Tennis
La Ponche partners with the tennis club in Vacqueyras, so guests can simply sign up and use the court in the village, a lovely way to spend a morning or evening, even in high season.
Combine With
La Ponche is a place to discover on its own, one you may want to return to year after year, ideally for several days to really get to know the area. If you want to head to the sea afterward, we recommend Maison9 in Cassis.
Prices
Doubles from 280 euros per night, including breakfast.
Booking & Contact
Domaine La Ponche
Chemin de La Ponche
84190 Vacqueyras
Provence / France
