L’Evêché

Vaison la Romaine, an unspoiled fortified village rising steeply from the banks of the Ouveze river, has a superb bed and breakfast owned by the Verdier family. Jean, an architect, and Aude, his pretty wife, moved from Paris to this ancient walled city in 1975 and worked together to transform the ruins of what was once a part of the bishop’s palace into a gracious home for themselves and their three sons. There are three guest bedrooms and two suites with their own charmingly decorated lounge and a private entrance to the street. Of the guestrooms, my favorites are the twin-bedded rooms, which have more of an antique ambiance than the double-bedded room with its somewhat art-deco feel. Both suites have a view of the city and one has a terrace solarium. Aude serves breakfast on an enticing terrace snuggled amongst the rooftops or, when the weather is chilly, in the family dining room. Although Aude and Jean speak only a smattering of English, their absolutely genuine warmth will guarantee a very special stay in this highly recommended bed and breakfast.