What is the name of your accommodation? 

Le Pont de l'Orme

Could you introduce yourself and share a bit about your life, such as your interests, hobbies, or background?

We are a Canadian-German couple who have lived and worked on a few continents before eventually settling in the countryside of Provence.

I’ve worked as a professional photographer for over 12 years and still travel regularly for shoots. Julian was once a captain of tall ships and later worked in tourism for many years. We’ve always enjoyed creating community and bringing people together over good food and conversation, and used to host supper clubs in Berlin. We didn't have the exact CVs for this, but looking back, our combined skills surprisingly make a lot of sense for what we’re doing now. 

We each have our own things we enjoy, but the ones we share are the sea, travel, food, and sharing stories.

How did your property become part of your life? When did it happen, and what inspired or motivated you to take it on?

Honestly, it was pure coincidence. Our friends knew we were dreaming about moving somewhere in the south of France, but Provence wasn’t necessarily on our radar. One day a friend called and said, “I think I’ve found your place,” and introduced us to someone looking for a couple to take over a B&B and restaurant.

The owner asked if we could come and see the place that same weekend. Since it was the middle of January in Berlin (cold and grey) and we were/are both self-employed, we said yes. We only visited for a couple of days, and quickly decided that it was a crazy undertaking, but that it would be even crazier not to do it. The area also happens to be incredibly beautiful, which we only really discovered once we moved here.

What was the process of creating your property like? Tell us about renovating, furnishing, or styling it.

I don’t want to invent a grand story and pretend we knew exactly what we were doing from the beginning, but I'm thrifty and like to get a good bargain at antique markets. A skill I learned living in countries where haggling is the norm. 

The driveway is lined with 200-year-old linden trees, so the first impression you get is this tree-lined path with a quaint old house sitting at the end of it. It was very easy to be enamored by it.

We didn’t have to do a full renovation since the house was already being run as a B&B, but the kitchen needed an enormous amount of cleaning (I’ll spare you the gory details), and the rooms all needed a total refresh with new paint and furniture. Plus, since it’s an old house, there is always something breaking or needing maintenance. And as anyone with an old house will tell you, the work never really stops. 

We wanted the rooms to feel cosy and welcoming and will probably still add some pieces to them as time goes by.

What makes your property truly special to you? Do you have any favorite spots, cherished memories, or personal touches that make it dear to your heart?

This house has not been in our family for generations, nor do we have any long history with it, but when we first saw it, we knew we wanted to live here and create a beautiful place for people to gather, enjoy, and relax. 

Since moving here, we have created so many memories, but I think what stands out the most is that when we arrived, our dog had just had a very tough surgery to remove cancer and was going through 6 months of chemotherapy, so the fact that he's still here and walking around this place, living his best life, will forever be special to us. We have also adopted an abandoned cat who essentially came with the house and named her Ophelia. She went from being a stray to being the most spoiled and cuddly creature that only leaves the house now to lie outside in the sun.

How would you describe the atmosphere and interior of your property?

I would call the house charming and cozy. You can't expect everything to be modern and perfect in a 200-year-old house, so the floorboards might creak or the stone walls outside might look a little weathered, but the place also feels special because of that. It holds stories and the memories of many dinners and conversations. 

All the bathrooms have been renovated, the rooms all have AC, and the pool is heated. So there are some modern comforts as well.

Are there any sustainable or eco-friendly applications associated with your property that you are proud of?

We serve an almost entirely organic breakfast, and for dinner, nearly all the produce comes from farmers and producers from the region. Same goes for the cheese and wine.

What motivated or inspired you to rent your property to guests? 

It was a B&B before, so it made sense to keep it as such, but with improvements and a new energy, which goes for both the B&B and the restaurant.

What can guests expect when staying at your accommodation? Share the experience, the highlights, and perhaps the best compliment you’ve received from past guests.

You'll probably be greeted by me, Julian, and Nelson and shown your room. During your stay, you have access to the whole property, so you're free to spend the day by the pool or on our large terrace, surrounded by old trees swaying in the mistral wind. After a lavish breakfast, you'll likely want to explore the region, for which we have created a free guide with our favourite things to do, see and eat! This includes farmers' markets, cute villages, great restaurants and other suggestions. In the evening you have the option to dine on the terrace at our restaurant looking out at the famous Mont Ventoux. Throughout your stay, there is usually someone around if you'd like to enjoy some wines from the region or have any questions. 

A common theme in our reviews seems to be that guests feel very well taken care of and appreciate the truly seasonal and regional cuisine we cook. When people tell us that their stay with us was the most memorable part of their trip, it makes all the hard work worth it.

What do you hope guests will take away from their stay, and do you have any special tips or recommendations to make their holiday unforgettable?

We hope they get to unwind and enjoy everything this region has to offer. But most of all, we hope they feel at home and leave having had some beautiful encounters with us or other guests and drive off with a warm feeling. 

We have created a free guide that's on our website with all our recommendations to hit all the right markets, charming towns, and not miss the best restaurants.