La Belle Vue in Neffiès is a charming chambre d'hôtes run by a Swedish couple, Yvonne Tenninge and Micke Sköldmark, who moved here to realize a dream: “Change our lifestyle, going to live in a small village of countryside, with a mild climate and a splendid view over the vineyards of Southern France ”.

Yvonne and Micke visited more than 60 houses before finding this jewel. A building from 1857, with tall doors, marble fireplaces, original cement tiles, and a breathtaking view of the hills and vineyards (on a clear day you can see the Pyrenees!). "We did some calculations before buying, but these decisions must be made without thinking too much," Micke says with a smile.

Each room, one different from the other, is an intimate and welcoming space, with crystal chandeliers, wrought-iron beds, cast-iron bathtubs, period furniture, and precious hand-embroidered linen sheets. My love at first sight? The bathroom of the Yvonne room, with direct access to the terrace.

In a sunny day, breakfast is served on the terrace. In the dining room a unique table where you can increase your own network (la Belle Vue is also table d’hôtes). What could be better than feeling at home in another city and meeting people with similar interests around a nice table? The royal atmosphere of the candelabra is the background.

"The house was originally owned by a vineyard pair of the Beaulac family. It was a siblings couple who owned it and died about 20 years ago. They were 95 and 97 years old. They were one of the region's largest wine producers. Then the house was bought by an English lady, where she used to live with her three children. We saw it and knocked on the door and asked if we could buy the house. It was not for sale then. After a little negotiation, we came to the top" Yvonne explains.

A treasure of beautiful things, carefully selected in flea markets, antique shops, or by elderly ladies known over the years, to create a relaxed, sophisticated and cozy atmosphere.

"I probably had no special style when I set up La Belle Vue. I have listened to the house and tried to recreate its soul. I believe that each house has its own soul. What has been fun is that when I scratched the walls of the house I have found almost exactly the same type of colors that I have decided to use" Yvonne tells.

What are the 5 elements that cannot be missing at home to create a cozy atmosfphere? "Hard question. But I think textiles are important and then in natural fibers, such as linen, cotton and wool. I love antique fabrics and collect them. So I can't stay without them in a house. Then the scent is important in a house, so preferably scented candles, but I choose them carefully. The favorites are  from Mad et Len or Astier de Villatte. Lighting is important as many small lamps that can be dimmed. I also like having plaids, partly to decorate with but also to wrap around in the evenings. Last but not least fresh flowers".

Among the objects to which Yvonne is more attached... "All my antique linen fabrics that I collect and which I buy on various antique stores or markets. I use them for everything. Curtains, cloths, sew bags from them, dyes them plant waste such as eucalyptus or avocado. Then the sofa in our hall. I bought it for almost nothing from an old lady. It was then in a miserable condition but I have dressed it in a beautiful linen fabric".

Behavioral scientist, Yvonne is super passionate about interior design. She had an interior decoration shop in Stockholm: "Yvonne is French in the soul ... she used to come to France every summer, since she was a child. She lived in Paris, and she always dreamed of moving back to France" Micke says. "Guess if I was happy when I had 300 sqm empty house to decorate. This was our way of living and working in France. What do I like most about the south of France? The weather, the climate, the beautiful landscape, the people, the culture, the food, the wine, yes everything! It is a completely different way of life than in Sweden" Yvonne explains. "I think it is difficult to compare life in Stockholm, which is a large city with rural life in France. The big difference is the quality of life. Here everything gets its time, you have time for each other, for the family, for friends and you live quite easily. A dinner here takes about 2 1/2 hours, in Stockholm you may eat in 20 minutes and then run on. Then of course it is the light. In Sweden we have seven months of darkness and bad weather. Here the sun shines 300 days / year and it never gets really cold".

Neffiès is located in the department of Hérault, in the Occitania region. "In the past, the area near Béziers, one of the main cities in the region and one of the oldest in France, was one of the richest in France for the linen trade, today one of the poorest," says Micke.

Micke is a former sportsman and coach, today he spends hours and hours doing chores around the house, including restorations and installations: "Every day there is something to do. Now I'm setting up the ground floor. We want to create, next to the pool, an area for concerts, events, weddings and yoga ".

On Saturday and Sunday it is possible to take Yoga lessons. Sometimes there are yoga retreats that last a few days. 

In the evening you can go to have dinner at L'Escampette, a delicious French bistrot, with authentic decor and good kitchen.

For a day trip, Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert is worth a visit, considered one of the most beautiful villages in France, built around the Abbaye de Gellon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an important stop on the Santiago de Compostela route. It can be reached through winding roads and dizzying cliffs. Excellent a lunch or dinner at Chez Barmy: try the Rouille de Seiche façon Barmy (be careful because the doses of garlic are XXL) and its craft beer ..

For lovers of coquillage, a stop in Bouzigues is a must. Less touristy and quieter than Sète, it has a long beach full of restaurants overlooking oyster, mussels & Co farms. Delicious cuisine, even fried fish, from Chez Alex Et Lucia.

Do not miss a visit to Pezenas, with its 50 shops of brocante. J'adore! And the Marché du Lez di Montepeiller, with food trucks, sophisticated shops and brocante.

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