Why we picked this hotel
La Ponche feels like somebody opened the doors to a wonderfully eccentric Provençal house and decided not to change too much. Six large bedrooms, old fireplaces, collected interiors and a garden that seems to have grown around the house make it wonderfully personal.
Hotel description
Among the vineyards outside Vacqueyras, Domaine de la Ponche feels like borrowing a wonderfully eccentric Provençal country house. The 18th-century bastide opens onto mature gardens, a flower-covered pergola and views towards the Dentelles de Montmirail, while six oversized bedrooms mix old fireplaces, antiques and theatrical decorative touches. Come for wine-country days that need very little planning. Breakfast outside, taste your way through Vacqueyras and Gigondas, then return for a long afternoon beside the stone pool before dinner at the house or in the village. With only six rooms, the pleasure is the sense of space and privacy rather than a long list of hotel services.
Hotel location
This is great
An 18th-century bastide among the vines
La Ponche sits just outside Vacqueyras, surrounded by vineyards with views towards the Dentelles de Montmirail.
The gardens are genuinely beautiful
Mature trees, olive groves, a spring-fed fountain and lily pond give the estate an almost hidden, private feel.
A heated pool made for slow afternoons
The stone-lined 10 × 6 metre pool sits within the gardens, with plenty of space to lounge around it.
Luisa is part of the experience
Guests repeatedly mention her warmth, cooking and attention as one of the things that makes the stay memorable.
Wine country is all around you
Vacqueyras, Gigondas and Châteauneuf-du-Pape are all close, making this an especially good base for vineyard days.
Tennis comes included
Guests receive complimentary access to the nearby Club de Vacqueyras tennis court.
Our take on the stay
This is exactly the kind of small country hotel that makes plans disappear. There are only six rooms, Luisa looks after the house, dinner can be arranged and the pool and gardens make leaving for the day feel increasingly optional.
Curated by
Eliza
What guests loved
The peaceful vineyard setting
The beautiful garden and pool
The wonderfully spacious rooms
The excellent breakfast
Luisa’s warm, personal hospitality
Best for
Vacqueyras vineyards • Countryside stays • Pool days • Wine lovers • Romantic stays • Provence escapes
Good to know
6 bedrooms
Check-in from 15:00
Check-out until 10:00
Room sizes approximately 34 m² to 53 m²
Heated outdoor pool, 10 × 6 metres
Continental breakfast available
Dinner available by prior arrangement
Free access to nearby Vacqueyras tennis courts
Pets are not allowed
Free private on-site parking
Around 1 hour 15 minutes from Marseille Airport
Amenities
Free parking
About the destination
Vacqueyras
Vacqueyras lies at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail in Provence, surrounded by vineyards producing some of the Rhône Valley’s best-known wines. The countryside is dotted with stone villages, olive groves, and quiet roads made for exploring between cellar visits and long lunches. Domaine de la Ponche is set among the vines, offering a peaceful base for experiencing the landscapes and wine culture of this corner of southern France.
