Maison La Roselière

Garden Getaway

A lush garden property that’s been enjoyed for generations, this pavilion-like getaway offers contemporary comforts and the lure of old stone on a family estate at the heart of Montpelier’s leafy, aristocratic arts and academic neighborhoods, less than 20 minutes from the Mediterranean.

Set in a garden cloaked by the green canopy of centenary trees, the guesthouse suite is comprised of a clean-lined, modern addition to a dovecote built of blonde stone and topped by classic russet roof tiles. A long, lazy swimming pool stretches out in front of the home, with a landscaped wooden deck connecting the house to the pretty, park-like lawn and intimate private woodland. A designer woodstove and generous sliding glass door bring warmth to the new king bedroom space outfitted with a shaded, indoor/outdoor patio extension. And cozied into the original building’s old stone, a fully-equipped modern kitchen serves either indoor or outdoor dining areas. A separate, on-site laundry room features an extra sink and toilet.

Set within a vast, gated garden, this independent guest suite has its own pool, pétanque court, ping pong table, and plenty of hammocks and chaises for stretching out and taking life easy.

Around

The home is located in the Boutonnet district of Montpellier, adjacent to the Beaux Arts and Facultés districts, the latter home to the city’s students and storied academic institutions. The nearest beaches are less than 20 minutes’ drive from the home, but perhaps the best thing about Montpellier, set about 10 kilometers inland from the Mediterranean, is its stately architecture and lively university-driven student life. Tight medieval streets zigzag through the heart of the city’s historical districts, lined with alfresco cafés and bench-dotted plazas. The city’s main square, Place de la Comedie, is one of France’s largest pedestrian zones, and home to the curlicued Opera building, built in 1755, a bubbling, moss-clad fountain adorned with graceful goddess statues, and plenty of Hausmannian facades fronted by tables, benches and outdoor seating.

A large pedestrian shopping zone fills part of Montpellier’s downtown, and some of the city’s most picturesque streets are found in the Ecusson area, its honey-colored limestone buildings showcasing balconies and sculpted cherubic heads carved into the stone in pure, Belle Epoque style. Montpellier is home to France’s oldest medical school, situated inside a medieval Benedictine monastery. North Africans have long made Montpellier home, too, and the city’s Cours Gambetta is home to spice markets and sweets counters, shops selling handicrafts and stands pouring pretty glasses of sweet mint tea. Arts patrons appreciate the wealth of museums and galleries in the the city, also known for its support of the photographic and film arts.

Sunny and sparklingly Mediterranean, Montpellier is a great spot for outdoor recreation. Bike paths lead from the city along the Lez riverbank to the coast, land of sandy beaches spread with bodies both clothed and nude, as well as lagoons that are home to flashy pink flamingos and wee seahorses, the latter a local attraction visible via snorkeling tours in the lagoons. Water sports (kite and windsurfing, boating, swimming, sailing) are popular all along the coast, and birdwatchers will love the five-mile bike ride from the city to the Méjean Nature Reserve, a 220-acre mosaic of land and water rife with aquatic wildlife.

Location

Nearest airport: Montpellier (15 minutes)

Best time to visit

May to October