DOMAINE LE ROURE
Graceful provençal manor with views of the Ardèche hills
SAT BETWEEN MONTELIMAR and Nyons, and
just a stone’s throw from from provençal truffle country, Manoir du Domaine Le Roure dates back to the 17th century. Surrounded by graceful trees in a four hectare park complete with streams and ornamental fountains, the manor’s shuttered provençal façade is as pleasing as its setting.
An avenue of plane trees shades the long driveway, while pretty flower beds adorn the gardens.
The landscaped pool is guarded by a Romanesque classical statue, and you can bubble away in the outdoor jacuzzi while soaking up views of the Ardèche mountains in the distance. It's especially fetching at sundown.
With its pale blue shutters, honey coloured stone and lofty windows, the look and feel at Domaine le Roure is pure provençal. Sip an aperitif or read a book at one of the pretty wrought iron tables dotting the gardens, or
bag a sunlounger by the pool to soak up the views.
Hit the Spot
Just south of Montélimar, at the heart of Drôme Provençal.
Bedtime
Splash out on Chambre Dominique – swathes of silk, a gallery bedroom and a daybed to sprawl on.
Be Savvy
There are excellent demi-pension deals to be had.
Be Smitten
We loved the park with its streams and swans.
Kilims and cushions
Inside, there’s a library stocked with books and board games, a restful salon done out in shades of peach and apricot, and
a lofty, light-filled orangery – where breakfast is served – complete with 19th century frescoes. Bedrooms at Domaine le Roure come with parquet floors, tall windows dressed in local floral fabrics, gossamer-light canopies and upstairs galleries.
Bed down in supremely spacious Chambre Catherine, with its lush garden views and period fireplace. Bleached oak beams and
tumbling swathes of taffeta give galleried Chambre Dominique a decadent air, while Sheherzade is as exotic as you’d expect, with Ottoman-style kilims and cushions.
Burgundy high-backed chairs and linen cloths lend the dining room a pleasingly classic feel, and you can
dip into two different menus depending on your mood. Naturally there’s a good choice of fine local wines to accompany your choices.
Manoir du Domaine Le Roure was reviewed by
Room for Romance
Click on any picture to enlarge it and move through the gallery.
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Dining in
Enjoy the gastronomic treats served up by chef Philippe L’hopital in the manor's La Table du Roure restaurant – decorated in a tasteful and distinguished mix of deep berry red and cream. Taste the
dorade royale et sa barigoule d'artichauts et risotto au fenouil. In the summer months, dine in the orangery with its impossibly high ceilings and amazing light.
Dining out
Pop into the town of Grignan for good, locally sourced and traditional cuisine: excellent restaurants include the famous Le Poème, La Roseraie and L’eau à la Bouche. Local villages are not to be overlooked either.
Where?
La Table du Roure at Manoir le Roure
What’s cooking?
Try roast quail with freshly-picked girolle mushrooms, served on a langoustine coulis.
Dress the part
Err on the smart side at dinner.
Top table?
We'd opt for the orangery in summer – especially at sunset.
See & Do
You’re close to the best of Provence here and the historic walled towns of Grignan, Vaison la Romaine (be sure to pop into the weekly Tuesday market) and les Baux de Provence. What’s more, you can play golf, go canoeing and
visit the caves of the Ardèche, as well as provençal night markets. All this, and you're less than an hour from the beaches of the Riviera.
Shop
Antique emporia and quirky bookstores with even quirkier owners are plentiful around here. Further afield, Avignon is packed with classy little boutiques.
After dark
Watch the sun set over medieval Grignan and follow dinner with an al fresco
digestif.
Dates
July
The colourful wine festival at Cairanne – one of the southerly Côtes du Rhône villages – will draw the local out of you.
GETTING THERE
Location
Route de Saint Paul, 26780 Châteauneuf-du-Rhône
Parking
There is free guest parking
Trains
Montélimar station – 4km, or Valence – 45km
Taxis
EUR 10-15 from the station
Airport
Lyon –150km
Rooms and suites
Six rooms, three suites
Special features
Most of the rooms are fantastically spacious with splendid views over the gardens or the Ardèche.
Also…
There's a swimming pool and jacuzzi to cool down in after all that sightseeing.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
EUR 95 - 170
Open/closed
Closed 15 November – 1 March
Check-in
3pm
Check-out
12 noon
Minimum night stay?
Two nights
Breakfast
Breakfast is served until 10am
Room service
No
Children
No restrictions
Pets
Very small dogs are allowed for an extra €10 per day
Air conditioning
Yes
Languages
French and English
Wedding license?
Yes – with receptions for up to 120 guests
Your contact
Dolorés L'Hopital – owner