THE CHOICE OF THE MORNING To begin in 2019 on the right foot, you can curl up in the luxury of a castle of provence, relax between the trees of the Vosges, or isolate on a lagoon. In any case, it is now that you must book ! Dinner-starred in the sun of Provence
Two ideas that are at the two extremities of Provence, a region where the sun warms up December. Side the Alpilles, it is at Baumanière that the feast will be beautiful. In this legendary hotel and cozy, we may as well enjoy a fire in the fireplace, the garden, or walking in the surrounding area : the village of les Baux, of course, but also in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence (Bouches-du-Rhône), where the Christmas holidays are so beautiful, or still on the crest of the Alpilles, to see the sea in the distance in good time. For the evening of new year’s eve, the menu of The Oustau de Baumanière, the double michelin-starred chef Glenn Viel, is enticing.
Side Haute-Provence, between Brignoles and Draguignan (Var), the Château de Berne offers a formula for “escape” for two people with spa access, breakfast and a festive meal in the Garden of Benjamin, Michelin-starred. Has two not of the abbey of the Thoronet, in the heart of nature, the wine-growing area of Bern is located on the Aurelian way, which linked Italy to Spain in the roman period. To host 2019 as it should, the eve of the new year’s eve will be on its 31 with the menu, the haute couture of the chef Benjamin Collombat, but also a corner bistro more affordable.
Baumanière, double room from € 350 and menu for new year’s eve 31 December from 425 € per person (excluding drinks). Reservations : 04-90-54-33-07 or by e-mail contact@baumaniere.com. Baumaniere.com. For the activities in the corner, the tourist office of Saint-Rémy is very useful : 04-90-92-05-22 or Saintremy-de-provence.com. Château de Berne, formula escape for two people from 519 € (one night). Menu for new year’s eve of 31 December 190 € per person (excluding drinks), and wine pairings 95 €. Information : 04-94-60-43-60 and Chateauberne.com
Walk in the snow in the Pyrenees
The course stays the Balaguère do not choose between the Vercors massif and the Pyrenees. Among the many offers, we have chosen the new year’s eve ” Trapper in Vercors, snowshoeing, and sled dogs “. In the program, the great wild spaces of the regional natural park of Vercors, the husky dogs and the clairette de Die ! A rise sloping down to the meadow to Make Urls, which overlooks the valley of the Drôme region, is also planned. For the output in the sled, do not worry : the mushers will explain to you how to put the harness, hitching the dogs, and teach you the basics of driving.
Next to the Pyrenees, this is the “new year’s Eve at chez Louisette,” which was our favors. Not only because it was warm the first two nights at the spa, between a hydro-massaging bath, shower jet and mud wrap. The program 31 is awesome : after a hike in the forest of the Lienz and on the plateau of Light, we réveillonne Chez Louisette, a hostel ultra-authentic hidden in the middle of the fir trees. We will leave after midnight snowshoe under flakes or stars for a return to the hotel in the form of a stroll.
Two stays special new year’s eve, “Trapper in Vercors, snowshoeing, and dog sledding” or ” Chez Louisette “, from 29 December to 1 January 2019, 4 days 3 nights for 620 € per person in Vercors and 680 € in the Pyrenees. Information : 05-62-97-46-46 and labalaguere.com
Living on an island, in Saint-Cyprien
For a print of end of the world, in the direction of the Island of the Lagoon. This new Relais & Châteaux asked at the end of the lagoon of Saint-Cyprien (Pyrénées-Orientales), on a small private island, is a pretty cocoon between the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees.
on The 31st, we will begin the day on the roof of the hotel, in the swimming pool with heated sea water, which offers a splendid view on the lagoon and palm trees. After a lunch on the small beach of fine sand, in the direction of the thalasso spa which offers personalized treatments, such as wraps verbena or apricot.
It will be beautiful in a bedroom design and spacious, sun-bathed, decorated in the spirit of boats, Riva, before going réveillonner in the Almandine, the starred restaurant of the hotel. Chef Christophe Schmitt serves mediterranean cuisine, delicate ; to the menu for new year’s eve, among other things, an aperitif of oysters, scallops and confit in olive oil and caviar and an ice-cream sweet potato and emulsion chocolate… The 1st, we will think back on the roof to swim.
Hotel Ile de la Lagune in Saint-Cyprien (Pyrénées-Orientales). From 960 €/person for three nights half-board with dinner of eve of December 31 (according to room category)
Meet the soul sister at Mont-Saint-Michel
The agency ” covoyageurs “, a specialist in travel for solos, offers several short breaks new year’s eve. For those who love the sea air, in the direction of the Mont-Saint-Michel. The trip begins at Granville (Manche), the beautiful walled city, that we visit before going to a walk on the cliffs of Champeaux, coastal path, dubbed ” the most beautiful kilometer in France “. The place, incredibly romantic, has inspired many painters.
The last day is dedicated to the visit of Mont-Saint-Michel, the famous rocky island classed as a Unesco heritage site. A good three-hour walk of the sea, before returning to the gentle Granville for a celebratory dinner. And more if affinities.
For party-goers who want sun, it will be necessary to leave France for a stay ” Tapas and flamenco “… in Andalusia.
Covoyageurs.com stay, ” new year’s Eve at Mont-Saint-Michel “, from 29 December to 1 January, from 615 €, excluding shipping. Circuit Spain ” Tapas and flamenco in Andalucía “, of 29 December to 5 January, from 1 590 € per person.
Daring the winter camping in the Vosges mountains.
Nestled in the heart of the regional natural park of Ballons des Vosges, between Epinal and Belfort, the pretty village of Bussang is home to the Sunêlia Domaine de Champé, a luxury camping in which the cabins are perfect for the winter holidays.
The great landscapes in the vosges under the snow, invite to rest – and the spa is available throughout the day – but the ideas of walking abound in the surrounding area. This is the opportunity for example to discover the wonderful chapel of Notre-Dame-du-Haut, built in 1955 at Ronchamp by Le Corbusier. A masterpiece of Twentieth century architecture which is a perfect alternative to cultural a day of skiing.
sports lovers will find all the possible activities, alpine skiing, cross-country skiing through the toboggan, the neighbouring resorts of Larcenaire, or the Red-Grass. You can even ski at night in the area of la Bresse. Finally, the New Year’s eve at the bar-restaurant Chez Jean Mi promises to be warm !
A week for four people in accommodation Sunêlia Prestige from 938 €, rate valid for seven nights between December 22 and January 6, 2019. Domaine-de-champe.fr