Medieval castle, then mansion and bourgeois holiday home, le Château d’Uzer is an oasis of peace and poetry in the south of the Ardèche, between Provence and the Cévennes National Park. It is the home of Véronique Meunier and her husband Eric Barbier.

Véronique arrived at the Château d’Uzer in 2013. A few changes to make the castle fresher and more cozy, but everything has remained authentic. The hostess is not just a fan of interior decoration, in fact it has well-planted roots in this sector. Before moving to Ardèche he had a shop in Lyon and a space at the Puces du Canal in Villeurbanne.

Imagine waking up in a jewel of authentic architecture with birdsong and the noise of cicadas. Antique tiles, old-fashioned lime, kilim d'antan, and large windows overlooking an exuberant exotic garden with palm, bamboo and olive trees.

The medieval chapel has become a library (stunning!). And the dungeons? A cinema room, with antique theater chairs. In the castle you can find works by contemporary artists such as Jean Arene, Ingrid Christoffels, Pamphyle and Franck Girard. Many of them are for sale.

Daydream on a walk under the pergola surrounded by the scent of roses and jasmine. To fully immerse yourself in the park atmosphere, relax by the pool with a Kipling novel. And enjoy the luxury of calm and authenticity.

You have the choice on where to sleep. In the medieval castle, or in a bohemian camp immersed in an exotic park? On the fireplace of the Chambre du Général a zinc star, available at La cerise sur le Château boutique. Here you can find niche brands and unusual antiques, such as antique globes, silk threads, linen, but also hats, La Nouvelle costumes in summer and alpaca ponchos in winter. In addition to the boutiques of the castle there is another Chez Richard Barbey à Aubenas, Saint Privat. And also one in Annecy.

In the park a trio of caravans: Philomène is an authentic caravan made by a specialized craftsman (roulottier Laurent Reynaud) with double bed and shower; the caravan for children with three single beds and the caravan for the day, an authentic old caravan with a kitchenette, a dining room and a small living room. For two lovers, the la Vie en Rose caravan: a totally restored cocooning space.

For an unusual stay, Le Cabanon: a small shed immersed in the park, with an old cast-iron tub. Charme fou!

Do not miss an aperitif in the veranda, the wonderful winter garden created in the 1920s, embellished with a bucolic fresco. Here Véronique, who among other things was a professional dancer, leads yoga classes. And then you can not miss the picnic on the Baume river with a vintage "glacière", tapenade maison, meats and cheeses from the Ardèche, checked tablecloth, oil lamps and gramophone. La vie est belle…

And what about antique markets? The most important appointment of the year is with the Barjac antique market, which is held twice a year: once in the Easter period and the other in Ferragosto. Moreover, every Saturday morning, the Vide Greniers in Saint Ambroix and in Labégude. Sundays in Aubenas and Gropierres.

I forgot ... do you know who is the king of the Château d’Uzer? The cat! And for a gourmet dinner, do not miss Restaurant L'Aubépine in Aubenas.

PLACE TO SLEEP

• Château d’Uzer

PLACE TO EAT

• Restaurant L’Aubépine (Aubenas)

PLACE TO SHOP

• La cerise sur le Château

ANTIQUE MARKET

• Barjac (Easter - Ferragosto)
• Vide Greniers in Saint Ambroix and in Labégude (every Saturday morning)
• Aubenas and Gropierres (every Sundays).

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