You don’t have to travel to the other side of the world to enjoy a romantic break for two. From Nîmes to Saint-Emilion, via the centre of Italy, discover six charming residences where you’ll have the time of your life.
Hôtel Imperator Nîmes
A prestigious Nîmes address par excellence, this hotel has the romantic weekend of your dreams in store. On the one hand, its location means you can visit the major cities of Montpellier and Marseille, discover the Gard region and stroll through the Alpilles. On the other hand, its location in the heart of Nîmes, by the quayside, gives you the feeling of being away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Fans of the hotel, including Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Picasso and Ava Gardner, can testify to this.
The Hôtel Imperator Nîmes blends its historic heritage with Art Deco decor in both the public areas and the 54 bedrooms and 7 private houses. When the afternoon sun is too intense, the indoor and outdoor spa pools are there to refresh you.
The two-star Le Duende restaurant, designed by the emblematic Pierre Gagnaire, completes this escape to the south. Here you can enjoy a sweet onion broth flavoured with vegetal elements or a tuna and veal tartare. The Brasserie L’Impé is more traditional, with comforting dishes and flavours from Provence and the Camargue.
Château Hôtel Grand Barrail
In the heart of Saint-Emilion, near Bordeaux, the five-star Grand Barrail is nestled in a château built in 1902 and set in three hectares of parkland. Here, the vines stretch out on either side of the estate, gently enveloping it to the delight of wine lovers. So it’s hardly surprising that the restaurant, led by Quentin Merlet, boasts an excellent drinks menu. The menu highlights the flavours of the south-west, using seasonal produce. Dishes can be enjoyed in the sublime Mauresque dining room, decorated in a baroque style with coloured stained glass windows and oriental paintings, or in the Grand Salon, with its warm, contemporary ambience.
As far as accommodation is concerned, there are nine bedrooms in the château, which are distinguished by their princely atmosphere. The other 37 rooms in the annexes are more modern. The programme is ready-made: a morning stroll in the gardens, a picnic in the vineyards at lunchtime, a relaxing interlude in the spa, laps in the pool and cocktails on the terrace when the sun goes down.
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Featured photo : © Le Couvent des Minimes
