Château d’Ayres

Overpowered by the walls of the towering Jonte Canyon, the picturesque houses of Meyrueis huddle along the banks of the River Jonte. From this quaint village you take a farm road to the enchanting Château d’Ayres. A long wooded road winds through the grounds and, hidden behind a high stone wall, the château has managed to preserve and protect its special beauty and peace. Built in the 12th century as a Benedictine monastery, burned and ravaged over the years, it was at one time owned by an ancestor of the Rockefellers. In the late 1970s the property was sold to Jean-François de Montjou, under whose meticulous care and incredible devotion the hotel is managed today. A dramatic wide stone stairway sweeps up to the handsome bedchambers. Rooms vary in their size and bathroom appointments, which is reflected in their price, but all enjoy the quiet of the park setting. The decor throughout the château is lavished with personal belongings and is well worn, comfortable, and homey. Instead of having one large formal room, tables are intimately set in a few small cozy niches in rooms that serve as the restaurant. Works of culinary art are created in the kitchen daily. The Château d’Ayres is a lovely and attractive hotel and, if time allows, spend an extra night simply for the luxury of lounging at the pool.