Hotel Lous Grits

OVERLOOKING THE VILLAGE ROOFTOPS of Marsolan in a lush corner of rural Gascony, Hotel Lous Grits is lapped by away-from-it-all serenity – a place to tap into the region’s laidback art de vivre.

Gazing out at the wooded Gers valleys and the distant peaks of the Pyrenees, this intimate boutique hotel sits on the ancient pilgrim route to Santiago di Compostela. Owners the Pitron family have lavished TLC on their hilltop village domain, making Hotel Lous Grits an exquisite little place perfect for soaking up the region’s sophisticated sunshine life.  

Listen to the sound of crickets as you slide into the slow lane here. The name Lous Grits evokes the sounds of nature, echoing the old Gascon saying “where the cricket sings, there’s happiness.”  Be seduced by it all.

Kitten-soft comforts

Ultra comfortable rooms – there are just five – reflect the talents of some of the area’s top artists and craftsmen, mixing old and new with flair. Kitten-soft pastels, fresh flowers and beds dressed in silken bedspreads, soft alpaca throws and tiers of plump pillows add to the cocooning comfort, while family antiques, polished parquet floors, original artworks and local ceramics all add to Gascon vibe.

Bathrooms at Lou Grits are just as appealing, with hand painted tiles, side-by-side sinks and plenty of pampering stuff. The attention to detail here says it all.

Ground floor bedrooms open onto a sunny sheltered courtyard, while the sprawling .Soulano suite has a vast private terrace. We loved the Amarijo and Cantoleso rooms on the top floor, whose terraces peek at the distant peaks of the Pyrenees.

There’s a palpable love of the good things in life at Hotel Lous Grits – making it just the  place to enjoy Gascony’s famed gastronomy. Tables are beautifully set with gleaming china and glassware, and there’s courtyard dining in warm weather. Dinner is cooked to order each evening and always includes some local specialities, reflecting what’s market-fresh. And – treat of treats – breakfast is served till midday.

There’s a little bar where you can enjoy an aperitif or a vintage armagnac, sunny terraces for topping up that tan and lushest Gascony on your doorstep. This intimate haven is just the place for some stylishly rural R&R.

© Room for Romance