THE FACTS ABOUT HOSTELLERIE LE CASTELLAS

France

This hostellerie near the Pont du Gard aqueduct (a UNESCO World Heritage site) is a good option for those who want great food, plenty of fresh air and activities such as horse-riding, kayaking, mountain-biking and trekking (along the River Gardon) and gliding (at Uzès airfield). Owned and run by Raymond and Chantal Aparis and their daughter Aurélie, the hotel opened in 1989 in two 17th-century houses linked by an inner courtyard. The restaurant spills out on to a wisteria-covered terrace overlooking romantic gardens and a pool, and the cuisine is Michelin-starred (spring salad with foie gras shaving; duck in hazelnut oil; sea bass in a lemon-and-honey sauce). There are 17 bedrooms in assorted styles, incorporating wooden beams, terracotta and mosaic tiles, wrought-iron furniture and Provençal prints. Collias is a sleepy labyrinth of medieval streets within easy reach of the Saturday market at Uzès as well as Avignon and Nîmes. CONTACT Grand' Rue, Collias (00 33 4 66 22 88 88; lecastellas.fr). Doubles from 80 euros; breakfast 16 euros. Closed 7 Jan to 13 Feb HOW TO GET THERE Fly to Nîmes with Ryanair. Or go by train to Avignon