It will comfortably house two adults in the bedroom, one or two Teenagers in the small bedroom, and eventually a kid or two on the pull-out sofa in the living room.

The bathroom has a big tub and fittings from the 1920's, as well as a heated towel rack and a bidet. The kitchen is equipped with a gas/electric stove, fridge, dishwasher and a washing machine.

In the living room, a Franklin stove will provide cosy warmth on nippy evenings. Of course, there is central heating in all rooms.

"L'Eden" is accessible over a few steps from a small garden planted with herbs, medicinal plants and a profusion of flowers in season. To access the sleeping area you will have to climb a full set of wide, comfortable stairs.

From the master bedroom on the upper floor enjoy a fabulous view of the Obiou mountain chain.

Sweet dreams!

 

"Musiques"

"Musiques" gets its name for the 1890 Pleyel grand piano underneath its cathedral ceilings. In a previous life this cottage was a hayloft.

Once again, great care was taken to use natural materials and to respect as much of the historic architecture as possible.

"Musiques", with a surface of abt. 120 m² is conceived for two adults, with a wide, comfortable bed on the mezzanine floor, accessible by a spiral staircase.

The ground floor is a large open space with kitchen, dining nook and living room. The pull-out sofa could accommodate two kids.

A Franklin stove will keep you warm. We will provide all the kindling and all the firewood you could need.

The bathroom on the ground floor will delight you with an ancient copper bathtub and old brass shower fittings. A hair drier and a heated towel rack should contribute to your comfort.

There is central heating throughout the cottage.

The kitchen is fully equipped, with a gas/electric range, a fridge, a dishwasher and a washing machine.

Step out onto a flowered little terrace for your meals or for a drink and enjoy the great views of the Bonnet de Calvin (Calvin's cap) and Taillefer mountains, as well as the quiet surroundings of Montmeilleur.

Bring your pianist's skills (or some CDs for the stereo) and fill the cottage with your soul's music.

 

"Le Ciel"

The cottage's beginnings were modest indeed - it was the stable for the prize cows of the property. Now, under a 40 foot ceiling, you will find a stunning living space on the ground floor with a kitchen and sitting area with an amazing view of Mt. Aiguille, one of the seven wonders of the Trièves, our region.

A bathroom with a vintage bathtub and fittings, as well as with a heated towel rack, invites you to linger and soak.

On a huge mezzanine, accessible over an easy and wide staircase, you will find a big, comfortable bed and sleeping area.

Step out on the terrace built on top of one of the guard towers or a small private garden to enjoy open air meals and drinks while looking over a picture postcard perfect landscape.

Of course, the kitchen is fitted with all the modern amenities; in the living room you can light a crackling fire in the cooking stove while reading a good book from the library shelves. Of course, central heating is available throughout this cottage.

Want to stay in an apartment in the main building? Read on...

 

Apartments

Our four guest apartments are located on the first and second floor of the castle's main building and are accessible over a wide spiral staircase.

 

"Les Filles"

"Les Filles" is a bedroom and bathroom combination in the main building of the castle, sharing a common kitchen with guests of the apartments "Bouquinistes" and "La Chapelle".

"Les Filles" is equipped with a large comfortable bed for two adults, under a canopied ceiling, its bathroom is fitted with a bathtub, bidet and toilet. From the bedroom the view over the Trieves district, all the way to the Mont Aiguille, is spectacular.

 

Breakfasts can be taken in the adjoining cosy kitchen, where on chilly evenings you can light a fire in the woodburning cooking stove. If you feel like cooking, a large gas-fired Morice cooking piano is available. The bottle of bubbly, which comes with your room, can be found in the vintage fridge in the kitchen.

"Les filles" is located on the first floor of the castle and is accessible over a spiral staircase. There is no elevator.

 

"Bouquinistes"

"Bouquinistes" is a large 100 m² apartment for book-lovers and was named after the oyster-like bookstalls on the quays of the river Seine in Paris. Indeed, the beautiful panelled library with hundreds of old and newer books is the centrepiece of this apartment. Relax with a good book in an easy chair in front of a crackling fire in the Franklin stove…

Next to the library you will find a bedroom with a large pull-out sofa for two adults. During the day an elegant sitting room – at night peace and quiet in a cosy bed.

An adjoining circular bathroom is located in one of the building's towers. It boasts a family-sized shower equipped with reproductions of vintage bathroom fixtures. The kitchen may be shared with guests of "Les Filles" and "La Chapelle", there being plenty of room for all.

 

From the windows of the apartment you will have great views of the surrounding mountains, in particular of the Bonnet de Calvin (Calvin's cap) and of the Obiou and Grand Ferrand mountains, the spectacular backdrop of Montmeilleur castle. If you like to sleep with an open window, the soft splashing of the fountain in the castle's main courtyard will lull you to sleep.

"Bouquinistes" is located on the first floor of the castle and is accessible over a wide spiral staircase. There is no elevator. The bedroom is equipped with a TV, satellite receiver and DVD player.

 

"La Chapelle"

"La Chapelle" is an easy floor up from the ground floor, over a wide spiral staircase.

Yes, the bedroom is in the former chapel which was wrecked during the French revolution and never rebuilt.

You should be comfortable in the cosy sleeping nook or in the large sitting room with sofa and a récamière, a wide-screen TV with a satellite receiver and DVD player, a Franklin Stove and lovely views of the gardens.

A bathroom was built into one of the towers and fitted with a vintage shower and toilet, as well as a heated towel rack.

The kitchen is shared with guests of the other apartments on the first floor. That's where you'll find your first morning's breakfast, including the complimentary bottle of Clairette de Die. Feel free to cook up a storm with delicious fresh produce from the farmer's market or from our organic vegetable garden.

 

"Louis XI"

Legend has it that the Dauphin (the future king), who was to become King Louis XI of France, liked to hunt at Montmeilleur. If so, he would have had the rights to the best apartment of the castle. Indeed these rooms are bright and luminous. Located on the second floor, they offer unmatched views of the Trièves to the West and the Obiou chain to the East. The terraced gardens with their boxwood and yew bushes, which can be seen from the apartment, figure prominently in Jean Giono's novel "Le Roi sans Divertissement".

The apartment is made up of a bedroom with a canopied bed fit for a king and his bride, a smaller boudoir room and a circular bathroom with a princely shower. A heated towel rack will keep your towels nice and toasty.

On a nippy day you may light a big fire in the ancient chimney of pink stone from Burgundy, we'll provide kindling and plenty of wood.

Meals can be taken or cooked in the kitchen on the first floor.

"Louis XI" is located on the second floor of the castle and is accessible over a spiral staircase. There is no elevator. The bedroom is equipped with a TV, satellite receiver and DVD player.

Amenities

In season, enjoy our 12 by 6 meters pool filled with fresh spring water or relax in the Jacuzzi while looking up at the immense craggy peaks of the Obiou and Grand Ferrand. A sauna with Finnish and infrared functions will help you relax after a day's hiking or work.

For your meals, you may wander into our organic vegetable garden and orchard and pick all kinds of luscious veggies and fruit, also a lot of nuts and mushrooms in the fall. Privileged visitors may accompany a truffle hunter and his dog to look for truffles on the property.

 

For those chilly nights we will provide plenty of firewood for your Franklin stoves or chimneys. Upon arrival your fridge will be stocked with the next morning's breakfast, including a complimentary bottle of Clairette de Die, the local bubbly.

Your bed linens and towels are the best - fine linen from Frette. Cutlery is silver, glasses are crystal and some of the plates home-made.

Don't bother to bring your hair dryer, soaps or shampoos. Our neighbours from Provence make the best in natural products from olive oil, lavender, rosemary and aromatic plants - enjoy them at Montmeilleur.

Our cottages are also equipped with ironing board and iron. If as an apartment dweller you need to do some washing, feel free to use the castle's main laundry. Suds are provided.

Your apartment or cottage will be cleaned every third day, fresh towels or linens are available upon request.

Should you come without a car - we'll be happy to make one available at very modest cost, the use of bikes or mountain bikes is complimentary.

If you are coming in by low-cost airline into Grenoble airport or by train to Grenoble or Clelles-Mens, please inquire with us about being picked up.

For those of you who need to work, you'll find ADSL internet access, free internet telephone, fax, document printout and all the facilities of a home office in the main building.

Please feel free to peruse our bookshelves and to exchange books with us or with other visitors.

Leisure time...

Lots of time… The Trièves is a calm, sleepy, laid-back area, typical of rural France. There simply is not much going on. Local folks are friendly, curious and they have lots of time to yak...

The tourist infrastructure is modest but actually there are a lot of opportunities for the adventurous visitor: from horseback riding to mountain biking to windsurfing to bungee jumping you will find a lot of open-air activities.

On a rainy day you might want to take one of the most spectacular train rides in Europe with the Chemins de Fer de la Mure or visit a coal mine or go shopping or visit great museums in Grenoble, 50 km away.

Our local village, Mens, 3 km from the property, offers basic shopping. Two grocers, a supermarket, two butchers, two bakers, a pastry shop, a flower shop, a couple of clothing boutiques, a couple of hairdressers/ barbers, a pharmacy, the local farmer's coop, a tobacconist/newspaper shop, a DIY market and two service stations and even an internet café. One restaurant, two pizzerias and three bistros will provide solid fare and copious drink.

 

Many farmers sell excellent products: cheeses, poultry, eggs, liquor, sausages, etc. Shopping is a truly enjoyable experience, in particular at the weekly market on Saturdays, also on Wednesdays in season.

History

The Trièves is historic country. Going back to Roman times it has been conquered many times - each conqueror leaving part of his culture behind. Numerous castles, ruins, churches and historic buildings dot the countryside.

 

Please consult the links.

 

Nature

The Trièves is unspoilt and offers endless opportunities to enjoy nature at its best. It also is within driving or walking distance of some of the most fabulous French national or regional parks: the Ecrins, the Mercantour or the grandiose high plateau of the Vercors.

The Mediterranean coast is less than 3 hours drive away. Either over the scenic Route Napoleon in the direction of Grasse, St. Tropez or Cannes, or in the direction of Aix en Provence to lovely little ports like Cassis.

 

Rates

 

Apartment "Les Filles"

3 day minimum 300 €

Additional day 90 €

Week 600 €

 

Apartments "Bouquinistes", "La Chapelle" and "Louis XI"

3 day minimum 360 €

Additional day 110 €

Week 720 €

 

Cottages "L'Eden" and "Le Ciel"

3 day minimum 500 €

Additional day 160 €

Week 1.000 €

 

Cottage "Musiques"

3 day minimum 400 €

Additional day 130 €

Week 800 €

 

Rates include VAT and all local taxes.

 

Reservations

Reservations are required, walk-in guests cannot be accepted.

Because of French regulations concerning swimming pools we cannot accept children under 12 years of age - we are very sorry about this, but it is the result of a well intentioned law going wrong and of the French craze to try to regulate everything.

Out of consideration for other guests we cannot accept pets. All our apartments and cottages are non-smoking.

Reservations can be made

by phone or fax +33 4 76 34 87 74 or cellphone +43 6 99 17 23 81 31

or mail office@montmeilleur.com

You can download a booking form which needs to be filled out, signed and returned to us. Please also consult the general conditions.

A 25% deposit is required, payment by transfer to the account, the balance upon your arrival, at the latest (bank checks or cash only).

Montmeilleur s.a.r.l.

IBAN FR76 1382 5002 0008 0065 6874 481

BIC CEPAFRPP382

Deposits will be refunded if reservations are cancelled with 6 weeks notice, cancellations between 6 weeks and four weeks will receive a 50% refund.

Interested? Please feel free to call us, ask for Irmgard or Ernst, see contact.