Hosts: Ann and Mike Parkes

Guestrooms: 5 Suites.

Address: Les Carmes, 1751 Route de Fontaine de Vaucluse, 84250 Le Thor/L'Isle Sur La Sorgue, Provence, France

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Telephone/Fax: 0033 (0)4 90 02 37 19

Email: mike@lescarmes.com

Activities/Attractions: L'Isle sur la Sorgue is one of those places in Provence that one has to see. This "island city" lies at the foot of the Vaucluse plateau in the plains of Comtat Venaissin. The river Sorgue surrounds the city as if to hug it. Walking along the canals you will notice how they run between the narrow ancient streets. There are little bridges to cross and great wheels to look at with mossy blades turning in the river. 1 kilometer from the city is the "partage des eaux" where the river splits in two and forms a small pond where plane trees and green foliage abound.

L'Isle sur La Sorgue and it's famous Sunday market which takes over the town, selling everything, local grown vegetables, bread, material, clothes and flowers. Small cafe's at every corner offer refreshments all through the day making the Sunday market an experience not to be missed.

Antique lovers and art collectors will be gratified by the nearly 300 permanent antique dealers and second hand shops here. L'Isle sur la Sorgue hosts antiques' fairs at Easter and over the August 15th holiday that have given a worldwide reputation to this small city. More than 500 antique dealers and second hand dealers gather here to show their treasures to customers from all over the world.

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"After you travel to a place for the very first time and create wonderful, incredible memories, is it possible to return to that same place and experience the thrill and excitement again? With Les Carmes Chambre D’Hote, the answer is an emphatic yes!"

"My wife and I spent three wonderful days and nights at Les Carmes. We have traveled fairly extensively throughout Europe and rank this B&B among the very best places we have stayed."

"We stayed at the amazing Les Carmes this summer for my sister-in-law's wedding. My new brother-in-law found the B&B on the internet, and corresponded with Ann and Mike for months before the wedding. They were so helpful, arranging things that our family couldn't from the States. Anyone would be lucky to be married in the inn's tree-shaded courtyard."

"By far, Les Carmes has been the most enjoyable, relaxing, perfect place I have ever stayed in France. Ann and Mike and their family made my husband and I feel very much at home. The room was large and comfortable with a terrific bath and closet. The food was some of the best we have had in France, including Paris."

"Oh what a fantastic place. It was the highlight of our 5 week trip in Italy and France. The dinners were the best we've ever had (and we have eaten in some of Sydney's best restaurants) with delicious food, beautiful presentation and light meals (as we were not TOO full after 5 courses). Simon is an excellent chef."

"We felt that Les Carmes was an excellent value and beautiful place to stay with fabulous food and gracious hosts. We would definitely stay here again."

"Staying at Les Carmes feels like you are personal guests of Ann and Mike Parkes. They go out of their way to offer advice about local destinations (from restaurants to vendors at the markets), make their computer available to check e-mails, and are always available both to chat and to make you feel welcome. The property itself has been exquisitely restored with lots of help from their son, James. His twin, Simon cooks gourmet meals nightly except Sundays served by the family on the terrace. During the time we were there, a darling family friend from England added her smile to serving duties. Both my husband and I look forward to a return stay at Les Carmes."

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"This is a definite return and stay longer B&B. The place is beautiful and the family that runs it are very, very nice. Not to mention outstanding dinners in the evening ... both in quality of food and conversation. Les Carmes also has a good location. Just what you'd expect in Provence."

"What a wonderful, special place Les Carmes is. From the moment you arrive, you are made to feel right at home. This B&B is run by a delightful British family. Ann is the consummate hostess and went out of her way to ensure that our Provencal excursions went smoothly. Son Simon has done a terrific job renovating the old farmhouse."

"We just returned from a 10 day trip to France, with our first 3 days spent at Les Carmes. The experience was wonderful, the property is beautiful, beyond our expectations, and James' cooking was excellent, we had two of our best meals on the entire trip at Les Carmes."

"We were married at Les Carmes in Aug 2007 and spent a week there with our family. It was absolutely fantastic, from the food to the rooms to the genuine hospitality of the Parkes family."

"My husband and I just returned from six nights at Les Carmes and highly recommend staying here."

General Information: Welcome to Les Carmes Chambre D'Hote (Bed and Breakfast) ... a family affair, providing traditional French life in one of the most beautiful parts of Provence for the traveller looking for something special. As well as the Chambre D'hote and fine dining restaurant, Les Carmes is a working Escargot farm which boasts a stock currently in the order of 60,000 snails.

Once the home of an order of Carmalite monks, this old Mas set in the tranquil countryside of L'Isle sur Sorgue, Provence, is being totally renovated into a luxurious Chambre d'hote/Bed and Breakfast by the new owners Mike & Ann Parkes, together, with twin sons, Simon assisting with the building work and James, trained by Two Star Michelin Chef Martin Blunos of Bath, providing gastronomic delights and a Residential Cookery School offering comprehensive courses in Provencal cuisine.

Set in one and a half hectares of landscaped gardens with a large swimming pool and terrace, Les Carmes provides the ideal escape from the hustle and bustle of modern day life, and in the evening you can enjoy a table d'hote menu using local grown Provencal produce to finish the perfect day. Accommodation choices include:

• Vine Suite - Has a walk in wardrobe and separate bathroom, facing south, it overlooks the courtyard, swimming pool and gardens, allowing the sunlight to fill the room
  
• Suite Terrasse - Recently refurbished, it offers guests traditional style accommodation in a large bedroom with separate sitting room. The marble tiled bathroom includes a walk-in Italian shower. The Terrace suite sitting room, where you can relax and enjoy a quiet read & a glass of wine
  
• Mid Tower Suite - Newly added during the winter renovation programme, the sitting room overlooks the courtyard and is ideal for early evening relaxation after a day’s sightseeing. The bedroom in the Mid Tower, decorated in traditional style with its tall ceiling and views over the garden & swimming pool
  
• Top Tower Suite - The sitting area is ideal for resting with a good book and a glass of wine, this can also take extra beds for families with children, allowing parents to enjoy the large bedroom. The Bedroom is truly the gem in the crown at Les Carmes, its high cathedral ceiling with exposed beams, magnificent view over the garden & swimming pool
  
• The Pommier Chambre
  

The Sitting Room has a traditional ceiling and terracotta tiled floor, giving a cool resting place in the summer months and in the winter the open fire provides a warm atmosphere where you can relax after dinner.
The Garden is lined with traditional Provence Lavender, June is when you find lavender in full bloom, adding beautiful colour to our three acre garden.
The Swimming Pool and terrace is where you can enjoy the sun to the full and cool down in the 6 x 12 meter pool.
Our New BBQ Area is large enough to cook for up to thirty people, built in stone in traditional style; usually we hold a family BBQ and guests are invited to join us for an evening on the terrace.
The Courtyard is the focal point at Les Carmes, where guests meet and enjoy a glass of bubbly exchanging stories of the day’s events, before enjoying dinner under the stars; we also serve breakfast in the early morning sunshine amongst the fragrance of the courtyard garden.

Payment Accepted: Cash and Traveller's Cheques.

Rates: (Prices quoted in Euros).

€80-150/night

Full Continental Breakfast included.

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"My partner and I stayed for 4 wonderful nights in July 2007 - the service and hospitality was charming and very welcoming. The property itself is restored with a certain degree of elegance and the rooms are absolutely huge."

"We only stayed one night at Les Carmes but it was a memorable one. Our hosts were very genial and friendly. The room was pleasant and the bathroom superb. The pool is located in the garden and is a dreamy way to spend an hour or two in the late afternoon. But the biggest highlight was the dinner cooked by the son of the hosts, a trained chef. My husband and I have rarely done wrong when we put ourselves in the hands of good chef and Les Carmes is no exception."