Le Monastère de Saint-Mont Hotel & Spa ★★★★

Oppida were large fortified settlements that spread across Europe around the first and second centuries BC. These were early urbanised areas that served as hubs for economic activity for the Celts and Romans. What is now the village of Saint Mont was once one of places. The monastery, a beautiful, sprawling property sat atop a gentle incline, was constructed on the site by a local lord, Bernard Tumapaler, in the 11th century. Monks occupied the space until the French Revolution, after which it served, among other things, as a castle. Now, the carefully renovated Le Monastère de Saint Mont**** gives you the chance to authentically experience a stay deep in the French countryside.

The property is stunning – it epitomises rustic French aesthetics with sand-coloured brick, shuttered windows and medieval details. There are just eleven rooms/suites, so, rest assured, nothing about these spaces is going to be overlooked. They are wonderfully refined, unique rooms - chic and modern, with some original features left intact. The large windows let in pools of natural light and provide attractive views of the vineyards, courtyard, and surrounding landscape. All the amenities and services you’ll want are right here.

Gers is a region celebrated for its gastronomy, and Le Monastère certainly doesn’t shy from this reputation. At La Petite Table Restaurant, head chef Jean Paul Tossens offers you gourmet French classics, reinvented with an emphasis on style and taste. Le Monastère is also, of course, a winery, so meals will be paired with the finest selected wines. Speaking of which, Le Berets Noirs Bar & Tapas boasts an impressive selection of AOC Saint Mont wines, including those from vines that miraculously survived the Great French Wine Blight in the late 19th century. Here, you can also enjoy cocktails and tapas dishes prepared in the stylish spirit of Tossens’ cuisine. Lounge about the heated outdoor pool, take a trip to Spa, or explore the surrounding landscape – life here is simple, slow, and supremely relaxed.