Le Mas du Bayle

The place and its surroundings were about what I expected, nothing more, nothing less. We’d come for tennis and had called the venue beforehand to make sure the courts were in good shape. They confirmed they were, but when we arrived it was a disaster. The courts were unplayable, the surface was awful, and there was no way to fit the nets. We were very disappointed, though we did end up finding a lovely tennis club in the village of Mallemort, where everyone was welcoming and we held our sessions.

A glass of wine on the village square while the kids play feels like paradise here. The staff are extremely professional and efficient, and the place is wonderful for children, who loved the pool, horse riding, and kids’ club. If golf is your thing, it’s a paradise for that too. Still, a few things keep me from giving it four or five stars. The half-board restaurant is great, but the organisation needs work. We waited an hour and a half, got the starter at the same time as the main course, and, for the first time in my life, found pasta mixed in with my mashed potatoes. We had a house for eight people, but the accommodation felt overpriced for the space. The toilet smelled of urine, and the kitchen tools were useless.

Paintball was closed during our early June stay. Apart from that, it was a nice weekend break, with plenty to do nearby, including tennis, swimming, golf, fishing, and cultural visits, all within walking distance. The restaurant was great for half board. The accommodation layout felt a little dated and basic.

We had a good three-week stay in one of the three-bedroom condos, and we’d consider coming back on our next trip to the South. There was a lot to like: the local bakery was amazing, and the staff there were kind and patient with non-native speakers. The pools and water play areas on site worked really well for families and all ages. My three- and six-year-olds had plenty to do and kept themselves entertained easily. The views were beautiful, with lovely sunsets and little construction to spoil the scenery or photos. A couple of things would’ve been useful to know in advance. Our condo didn’t have WiFi, and we could’ve planned around that if we’d been told. Also, items like bath towels, extra trash bags, dish soap, and other basic household supplies weren’t provided. That’s a personal preference, but they’re things I wish had been included.