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GUEST HOUSE LA PARARE

Tranquil Riviera B&B in the leafy hills above Nice.

“SOMEWHERE BETWEEN ZEN AND PROVENCE” is how guests at La Parare describe this old stone farmhouse – a little Eden in the hills above Nice – dating back to the 18th century.

Beautifully restored, oozing character and offering stunning views across the valley, La Parare is anything but your typical B&B. Hosts Karin and Sydney have refined hospitality to a fine art, and nothing’s too much trouble when it comes to looking after their guests for these fluent English speakers.

Close to all the action of the French Riviera (and a perfect antidote to the tourist honeypots) but in a tranquil village setting, La Parare is all about rest and relaxation. This listed old stone bergerie (sheep byre) is set among acres of olive, cherry, almond and fig trees, with a leafy wide terrace perfect for al fresco dining. It’s an idyllic setting.

Hit the spot
25 minutes from Nice, in the village of Chateauneuf Villevieille.

Pillow Talk
Cool white walls, rafters and terracotta floors lend the four suites – some with open fireplace – plenty of provencal charm.

Be savvy
Be ready for some hairpin bends on the road up from Nice. The drive is worth it!

Be smitten
Chic hillside B&B offering Riviera R&R.

East meets West

East-meets-West decor lends a touch of the orient to La Parare’s four individually designed suites. While each has its own style, character and colours, all have spacious bathrooms, a comfortable sitting area, open fireplace and private entrance opening onto the terrace and garden.

Exposed stone walls, oak rafters, terracotta tiled floors and clever use of layers and levels lend plenty of charm to the contemporary ethnic-chic styling, accented by pieces collected by Karin and Sydney on their travels in Asia. High quality beds and bed linen complete the picture. Escaping daily information overload is part of La Parare’s appeal, so there are no TVs in the rooms. Internet access is available should you want it.

Start the day with an indulgent breakfast on the terrace, where there’s little but birdsong to ruffle the calm. There’s a plunge pool for a cooling dip, though for swimming you’ll need to head to the beaches of the Riviera half an hour away, or to mountain rock pools.

La Parare was reviewed by Room for Romance

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Dining in
Home-cooked dinners are served 2-3 times a week, and need to be booked 24 hours in advance. Expect fresh, local and seasonal produce and home cooking favourites. The menu is tailored where possible to individual likes and dislikes, and it's sociable dining around a big table. Kick off with a tangy vin d’orange aperitif.

Breakfast
Breakfast is served any time, so enjoy a lie-in. Look forward to home baked bread, fresh orange juice, yoghurt and fresh fruit salad.

Room service
No

Where?
La Parare.

What’s cooking?
Delicious home-cooked dinners tailored to guests’ individual tastes.

Top table?
It’s sociable dining en famille here – al fresco on the terrace on warm nights.

See & Do
The Cote d’Azur is at your feet, and you’re just a 30 minute drive from Nice, Cannes, Antibes, Monaco and Saint-Tropez. Delightful drives along back roads will take you to pretty provençal villages such as Peillon and St Paul de Vence. It’s also easy to drive into Italy and visit characterful old towns like Ventimiglia and San Remo.

Nice has its array of beaches along the Promenade des Anglais, a characterful old town full of squares and cafes and bags of nightlife. The Chagall and Matisse art museums and the Musée Raoul Dufy are also well worth a visit.

Do as much or as little as you want: sporting options include biking, canyoning, hiking on nearby hill trails, horse riding and tennis. Mont Agel at Monaco is a spectacular golf course, and there are a dozen others within driving distance. You can also swim in fresh water pools not far away from La Parare. You can also take the chance to improve your Kitchen skills, with cookery classes run in conjunction with a local restaurant.

Spa
There’s a sauna where you can turn up the heat, and a refreshing plunge pool.

Diary Dates
May
Rub shoulders with the beautiful people at the Cannes Film Festival, or take your earplugs to the Monaco Grand Prix.

GETTING THERE

Location
Calade du Pastre, 06390 Chateauneuf Villevieille.

Parking
Secure parking is available.

Trains
Nice – 22km

Taxis
Around EUR 70 from the airport.

Airport
Nice Cote d’Azur – a 35 minute drive. Nice is served by numerous airlines from the UK, including EasyJet.

Rooms and suites
Three junior suites and 1 suite.

Special features
Each individually designed suite has a spacious bathroom, comfortable sitting area, open fireplace and a private entrance. Oak beams, terracotta tiles and pleasing ethnic pieces add to the charm.

Also…
There’s a sauna (bookable) with a private relaxation space, and a cooling plunge pool.

ESSENTIAL INFO

Rates guide
EUR 125 – 145. Dinner costs EUR 35-50 per person, including wine and an aperitif.

Open/closed
Open all year

Check in
Between 16:00 and 19:00. If arriving at any other time, please advise your hosts so arrangements can be made.

Check out
Before midday.

Minimum night stay?
Two nights in high season.

Children
La Parare is not suited to young children.

Pets
No.

Air conditioning
No.

Wedding license?
Receptions for around a dozen people can be held.