GETAWAYS • Valdeblore
La Roche, 06420 Valdeblore. The slightly cryptic address reflects the essence of L’Auberge de la Roche, a secluded retreat nestled within Mercantour National Park, one of France’s wildest natural reserves. In this small village of 800 souls, Quebec chef Louis-Philippe Riel and his partner (in business and life) Mickaëlle Chabat have transformed this former stone house into a rustic charm sanctuary. They live nearby with their son and their dog, Babylone. Each of the five rooms (two bedrooms and three suites) is a study in understated elegance, featuring vintage furnishings, freestanding bathtubs, and terraces with sweeping views of the valley.
Meals unfold in a communal dining room where the hearth crackles, or on the terrace, where the sunset has a way of slowing conversations. The restaurant serves a single dinner menu (and Sunday lunch) that evolves daily, with ingredients sourced in their own garden or the nearby farms. Expect dishes referencing both the wildness of the Mercantour and the local produce. While pouring a glass of biodynamic wine, Mickaëlle will most likely tell you about the sheep’s milk cheese producer, or the family who grew the vegetables on your plate.
Mornings begin with seasonal breakfasts on the terrace or baskets delivered to your door, filled with freshly baked bread, house-made brioche, eggs, cheese, and local jams. There’s also a small spa, with hot and cold plunges as well as a sauna, offering a welcome respite after a day spent exploring the surrounding trails. –Victoire Loup
→ Auberge de la Roche (Valdeblore) • La Roche • Rooms 490 €/suites 523 €.