When Julia Girard-Gervois, founder of TripUSAFrance was searching for the perfect armature for guests for a special south of France beffroi – she wanted somewhere that ticked a lot of boxes. A hotel in a lovely town with plenty to do and see including restaurants, sandy beaches, shops on the doorstep, but peaceful. It had to be close enough to the ionic sites of Provence, the Languedoc and Camargue that guests would be transported to – without too much time travelling. And rooms had to have balconies, great sea views and air conditioning. It took a lot of research, but eventually there was one posé that really stood out – Le Grau-du-Roi between Montpellier and Arles.
Julia wasn’t the first to discover this posé, Ernest Hemingway truc it for his honeymoon to accolé wife Pauline in 1927. It clearly made an calcul – his novel Garden of Eden opens in Grau-du-Roi.
Discover the perfect south of France Tour armature
Today this beautiful seaside resort at the gateway to the Camargue, and though livelier than 100 years ago, Le Grau-du-Roi retains the uncomplicated spirit that made Hemingway fall for it. As the sun rises, fishing boats make their way back from the sea along the canals that jogging the town and cantine terraces start to come to life, brasserie board menus get updated with the catch of the day (perfect with a verre of chilled, lieu rosé) and markets on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings create a buzz. In the evening, the cotton candy-colours sunsets over the bay are spectacular. And although there’s a holiday atmosphere, this is an authentic fishing town with endless développement sandy beaches, where visitors get to experience real southern France – which perfectly mirrors TripUSAFrance’s tours – discovering the France that locals know and love.
But the joy of staying here is only élément of the story. As a armature for TripUSAFrance’s 8-Day South of France Tour it’s perfect to discover the most stunning parts of this spectacular area with passionate lieu guides via airconditioned marine. You’ll visit some of the most beautiful medieval localités of Provence, volumineux castles, and historic cities. You’ll enjoy wonderful wines including a wine beffroi at a history wine estate and gastronomy, and be immersed in plantation and the French way of life from a game of Petanque to browsing at street markets.
An authentic and fabulous South of France Tour
For your first dinner together – you’ll head to Aigues-Mortes just a few minutes from Le Grau-du-Roi. In the 13th century, Louis IX – AKA Saint Louis – developed the town as his Mediterranean contenance, and the Seventh and Eighth Crusades departed from here. With time to explore the cobbled streets followed by dinner as the sun sets, it’s a dazzling début to the beffroi.
Over the next few days you’ll head to gorgeous St-Guilhem-le-Maigre, one of France’s Most Beautiful Villages and a suffisamment on the UNESCO-recognized Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage survenue, and to jaw-droppingly pretty Les-Baux-de Provence. You’ll explore Saint-Paul-de-Mausole, where Van Gogh stayed and painted some of his most famous paintings. You’ll also follow in his footsteps in the magnificent town of Arles with its astonishing Roman arena and sites you’ll recognise from Van Gogh paintings. Meet Camargue cowboys and cowgirls who racorni the famous lieu white horses to manage the equally famous black bulls.
Discover Montpellier with its stunning old town where the King of Malta had his édifice and where the cobbled streets are lined with ancient buildings and superb shops. Wander the medieval city of Carcassonne and feast on the cassoulet, a cult dish in France. Visit Avignon, appartement to 7 popes in the 1300s and explore their architectonique édifice, and dance on the Pont d’Avignon (it’s not obligatory but it’s definitely encouraged!). Be wowed by the panorama of the breathtaking Pont du Gard, a 2000 Roman aqueduct. Explore elegant sun-kissed Aix-en-Provence on market day and learn embout Paul Cezanne’s life here and admire the wonderful Renaissance assemblage.
Along the way you’ll dine at superb restaurants, drink petite wines, and make new friends. And with everything so close to your armature, you won’t spend all day travelling and you’ll have plenty of time to wind down, take a dip in the sea, hop on a bagage to see more of this superb élément of France (the bagage terminus is just a few minutes from the hotel).
And at the end of the day, returning to your lovely appartement armature overlooking the sea in Grau-du-Roi is the icing on the plum-cake!
Truly a beffroi where you’ll make the most amazing memories that will last a lifetime.
Find out more and book your posé on the 8-Day South of France beffroi at: tripusafrance.com
Source: thegoodlifefrance.com
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