La Ressence Luberon

After a week in crowded, hot Paris and then Strasbourg, which was less hot but still crowded, we arrived at La Ressence exhausted and left feeling like new people. We stayed five nights, with plenty of space in the large, airy Marie-Louise room and fresh air across the enormous property. Each morning brought a wonderful garden breakfast of fresh fruit, yogurt, juice, and croissant, and every afternoon we sunbathed by the pool. It was a perfect babymoon; I was five months pregnant. This isn't a touristy spot, and all the other guests during our stay spoke French, so it was a great chance to practice. Our host Francoise was very patient with my malapropisms. One thing to know is that driving around here is challenging, and La Ressence isn't in a town, so you'll need to drive for lunch and dinner, either to a restaurant or to get groceries for a picnic. We did both. The driving intimidated us at first, but we got used to it enough to visit Bonnieux, Lourmarin, and LaCoste. We recommend asking Francoise to cook dinner one night for a small fee. She's an incredible cook, and the meal felt intimate and romantic, without having to make a nerve-racking drive through the mountains. We truly loved our time here. It's a special place, and we hope to return.

Françoise was a terrific host, putting out a generous breakfast every day. We loved our four nights at La Ressence. The room was spacious and private, and the double glazed windows kept outside noise to a minimum. It's close to the main Luberon towns, and Aix-en-Provence is still a fairly short drive away. No regrets about staying here.

The owners are lovely, the rooms are nice, and everything is beautifully maintained. Breakfast was shockingly good, even for someone like me who rarely eats it. The place is conveniently located between Lourmarin and Bonnieux. The plunge pool and sundeck were a welcome spot to relax, and the value is GREAT.

Françoise is a fantastic host, warm and welcoming, and she handles everything so well. Her breakfasts alone are worth the stay: pastries, ham, several kinds of jam, cereal and yoghurt, plus freshly made tea or coffee and freshly squeezed juice. I looked forward to breakfast every morning. The place is beautiful, with spacious, clean rooms and a big comfortable bed. The toilet is well equipped with fluffy towels, soap, and even a hairdryer. There's a quaint pool and a huge garden where you can relax or eat; sometimes her dog and cat come keep you company, and they're adorable. There's parking on site, and it's a short drive to two towns and some really good hiking trails. A wonderful stay, highly recommend.