Le Couvent d'Hérépian ★★★★

It was that time of year again; weary, tired and generally a bit run down, my mind kept drifting away longingly to the sweet scents that waft through the beautiful scenery of the South of France. And then, suddenly, my prayers were answered. A friend of mine mentioned in passing a getaway she thought was right up my street; a serene guesthouse in the tranquil Languedoc region, complete with verdant gardens, charming wellbeing facilities and a cosy ambience. She didn’t need to tell me twice - I was on my way!

I’ve always loved establishments with a bit of history behind them – and as soon as I arrived, I realised that was exactly what I’d got. Housed inside a former 17th-century convent and tucked away amidst traditional French rural stone streets, Le Couvent D’Hérépian ****is steeped in a rich 400 year-long back story. But it’s not trapped in the past, I found as I was whisked to my room; each of the luxury suites seamlessly merges the wonderful original architecture with the luxurious comforts of the modern day, including a fully equipped kitchen and a truly refined interior decoration. As I sat down and gratefully sunk into the embrace of the soft bed, I couldn’t help but gaze at my wonderful view of the leafy garden and distant mountains of the Haut Languedoc.

It was time for my well-needed dose of relaxation in the spa and wellbeing centre. My first port of call was the beautiful indoor pool under the vaults, where I slipped into the cool turquoise water and swam a few lengths. Then, utterly unwound and feeling divine after indulging in one of the invigorating treatments on offer, I curled up in a comfortable armchair next to the enormous period chimney in the library, before flicking through a book I’d been meaning to read for months.
    
As night fell, I was delighted with the range of local and traditional products used to make the mouth-watering dishes in the restaurant. But for me, the cherry on the cake was undoubtedly the atmospheric wine cellar; I mingled with other guests whilst sipping on gorgeous regional wines, and adored the innovative Honesty Bar concept. Although the sisters of the convent may have long gone, an omnipresent sense of peace still remains, infusing every part of Le Couvent D’Hérépian **** with perpetual tranquillity.