Le Mas de la Lause

We enjoyed an exceptionally magical five-day stay at Le Mas de la Lause. Our hosts Christophe and Corinne impressed us so much with their B&B experience that it's truly difficult to know where to begin! Perhaps it should be with their idea to transform their family's century-old villa, orchard and vineyards into a modern, classy B&B with every conceivable comfort for a traveling retiree and his family? Perhaps with their impeccable hospitality, warmth, and worldly curiosity (it's hard to think of a more delightful series of conversations during our entire trip)? Perhaps with the serenity and quietude of the villa, surrounded with the sounds of the mountainside and the intoxicating scent of genêt d'Espagne blooming in their garden? Or perhaps — just perhaps — with the magnificent, homecooked table d'hote dinner that we enjoyed so very much on our first evening there (one of the very best meals of our entire trip, and a *must* if you stay at Le Mas)? Each moment was deeply satisfying and among the most relaxing of all our hours spent in France. We felt we couldn't thank our hosts enough for the sheer pleasure of our stay with them. Room and bed were immaculately clean and were refreshed daily. Breakfasts were spectacularly good: not only for the delectable pastries, bread and jams, but oh for the homemade quince pate and other treats! (We had tasted their homegrown olive oil, fresh herbs, chestnut cream, and aperitifs/digestifs as well at dinner on our first night.) Their location simply can't be beat if you are journeying by car or bicycle and are visiting northwest Provence to relax, tour, and taste without hurry. It is situated on a foothill overlooking the stone village of Le Barroux, with a majestic sunrise view of Mt. Ventoux and within earshot of the tolling bell of the Abbaye Saint-Madeleine. Vacqueyras, Gigondas, Malaucene, Seguret, and the Dentelles were all a short, easy drive away. Under an hour's drive were the major sites of Luberon, Ventoux, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape. There are footpaths and bicycle routes all around. And special mention should be made of the village of Le Barroux itself: what an unexpectedly delightful discovery this was, walking the streets of this non-touristic, and therefore very real, local commune. We could not have asked for a more central "home base" for our sightseeing in the region. We left Le Mas on day five, feeling that we had finally experienced Provence as the locals might. And perhaps this was only a fleeting illusion. But thankfully, we can confirm that the happiness of our last breakfast with our hosts was very real. Thank you Corinne and Christophe: we hope to come back soon!