Auberge le Charamel

I found this beautiful place by a general internet search of villages north of the town of Biot on the Cote D'Azur, where we were staying with a friend. We had travelled to Grasse and Gourdon on a visit previously and wished to go a little further into the low Alpes. We are so glad that we did. The Auberge le Charamel is a wonderful restaurant perched at the edge of the neat and clean village of Le Mas, overlooking a cherry orchard, where the wild boar come to snuffle below the trees looking hopefully at the restaurant windows for treats. Isabelle and Regis are such an engaging couple, always happy to provide guests with any help or advice. The rooms are small but spotlessly clean with everything that you would need; TV, en-suite shower and toilet, and the view from the window at the rear is stunning. There is a short walk of 30 minutes down into the valley following the terraces tracks and there you find the river, and a multitude of butterflies of all colours. The trek back up the track takes a little longer but it is worth the exercise, to work up an appetite for dinner, 3 wonderful courses of haute cuisine, that you would experience in Michelin starred establishments, all using as much local ingredients as possible. The cost of our stay was very reasonable, combining 1/2 board which includes room, wonderful dinner and breakfast. If possible we will be returning to visit Isabelle and Regis and their young son at the earliest opportunity!