First of all, one might wonder why even seasoned hotel aficionados, Provence connoisseurs, and we ourselves had never heard of the stunning Domaine La Ponche. Well, the reason might be, that it wasn’t really listed anywhere. The owner, Cédric George, a surgeon and entrepreneur from Zurich, originally intended the place to be a private holiday retreat for his rather large family.
Now that the children are a bit older, Monsieur George has – thankfully – decided to open the property to external guests. It’s worth noting that we visit quite a number of hotels and holiday homes throughout the year, but a gem of such exceptional quality is a rare find, even on our travels. So, you might want to scroll straight down to the booking link and secure your preferred dates for next summer – or this autumn.
Or dive deeper into the details of the house here – they’re just as fascinating. Let’s begin with the region. If you’re traveling through Geneva, you’ll head toward Mont Ventoux just before reaching Avignon, passing signs for places like Gigondas and Châteauneuf-du-Pape. For any red wine lover, you’ll think: this truly is heaven on earth.
The House
Cédric George greeted us at an iron gate, which opens onto a driveway straight out of a fairytale. On the right, the estate’s vineyards and the bastide, with its stone walls dating back to the 18th century. To the left, a beautiful swimming pool, which can be heated on cooler days. The whole setting feels like a scene from a 1970s French film, with the warm glow of the evening sun slowly sinking into the horizon.
The Rooms
La Ponche offers six guest rooms, each uniquely designed and beautifully renovated to the highest standards. With magnificent natural tones on the walls, top-quality flooring and bathrooms, as well as a touch of art, flowers, and local treasures, the rooms earn top marks with distinction. Two of the rooms even feature a small corner room, perfect for a family with one or two children.
The owner isn’t particularly fond of air conditioning, so the rooms are kept shaded during the day in the height of summer. During our visit, this worked perfectly. However, the upper rooms can get a bit warmer in July.
Culinary Delights
La Ponche is a classic maison d’hôtes. Every morning, the housekeeper Luisa prepares a delightful Provençal breakfast. Everything is handmade here, sourced from the local market, and beautifully presented in the French style. Simply let the staff know the evening before when you’d like to enjoy breakfast on the stylish patio in front of the house. There’s also coffee available in the rooms. On request, lunch and dinner can be prepared, and we highly recommend trying it. What’s on the menu? Simple, fresh dishes: a plate of vegetables, light fish, or eggplant with minced meat, paired with a glass of the estate’s own wine. Simply magnificent.
Surroundings
Vacqueyras is about 20 minutes from Avignon, but locals often suggest heading in the other direction. We took a trip to Carpentras, for example, where we found a charming café called La Maison Jouvaud. You’ll want to buy and eat everything in here – tarts, chocolate cake, macarons – it’s all irresistible. The Friday morning market there is a must-visit too. If you’re visiting in the off-season, bring your road bike and take on Mont Ventoux. Wine lovers can arrange tastings in the nearby villages of Vacqueyras, Gigondas, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape. One of the most renowned wineries is Château de Beaucastel, owned by the Perrin family.
Restaurants
In Vacqueyras itself (just 2 minutes away), there are traditional restaurants, but the La Ponche team has a list of charming recommendations within a 25-kilometer radius. We dined at Bistrot Les Saffres in Piégon, an absolutely dreamlike setting with a sunset on a hillside and a small menu. It was a truly unforgettable experience.
Tennis
La Ponche has a partnership with the tennis club in Vacqueyras. Guests can easily sign up and use the court in the village. It’s a lovely way to spend the mornings or evenings, even during the high season.
Combine With
La Ponche is a place to be discovered on its own, a spot you might want to return to year after year. It’s ideal for several days, giving you the chance to really get to know the region. If you want to head to the sea afterward, we recommend Maison9 in Cassis.
Price
From 280 euros including breakfast.
Booking & contact
Domaine La Ponche
Chemin de La Ponche
84190 Vacqueyras
Provence / France
