And if at the hotel, you lead life in a castle?

Monasteries, palaces, fortresses ... stays in historic places is gradually developing in France.

In Spain , there are castles. Not one of those impossible to build or built on sand, but very real castles, where you can stay a weekend or longer, as in almost any hotel in the world. Palaces, fortresses, monasteries ... There is now a hundred institutions affiliated to the prestigious hotel chain Paradores de Turismo state since 1928, offering luxury and scenery in often executives cut the breath and at a price just affordable. Younger, but no less devoid of charm, chain Pousadas play the same card. Since the 1940s, for the sake of preserving the cultural and historical heritage, the Portuguese government has decided to convert monasteries, convents, palaces and castles in top class accommodation at reasonable prices.

And France ? A framework agreement was signed between the Ministry of Culture and the State Secretary of Tourism in 2009 to promote "economic, reasonable and respectful" operation of the national historical heritage but, unlike our neighbors, the initiatives remain timid ... Olivier Gourio, patron of the group Hotels and Heritage, has embarked on the adventure it a few years ago, thanks to a very French particularity: PPP (public private partnership). Boosted by the fact that the state or communities are struggling to ensure the enhancement of the historical heritage, it proposes to rent these buildings and to use the remaining communities own their walls. Price of success, the four addresses it uses have already found their place in the chain Châteaux & Hôtels Collection, Alain Ducasse.

View of the ramparts in Sedan

Sedan, 20,000 inhabitants, the second city of the Ardennes. The history buffs will remember the crushing defeat of Napoleon III at the end of a battle not necessarily memorable ... Fans of more or less reliable anecdotes may remember is that "go under the knife" also come from this famous battle where a general was operated on ¹ September 1870 in the back room of a pub, called The socks Place Turenne ... on a pool table.

A few hundred meters of the square stands the castle of Sedan, built in the fifteenth ^century, now a historical monument. It is in this building over 35 000 m ² - making it the largest castle of Europe - as hotels and Heritage operates in ancient shops, a 54-room hotel. The majority of them are spread over four floors of the building Fabert, 13 rooms are located on the side of the barracks. The final result of nearly 40 square meters would rather be devoted to romantic vacations living room, mezzanine, private access to both the room and the castle walls. At 200 euros a night, the price is very attractive for this four-star. The hotel's restaurant, La Tour d' Auvergne also offers a full menu (starter, main course, cheese and dessert) for 35 euros and a children's menu for 12 euros.

The castle as the Hotel is visited through 8.49 euros. And, if you stay on lead time, you can in this centenary year of the first war to visit several sites like Verdun, distant 80 km, or champagne cellars in Reims , an hour drive from Sedan.

Stay at the Abbey in Sorèze

In the Tarn region Midi-Pyrénées , we can truly let go taking the time for a weekend. At equal distance - in time - from Albi to Toulouse and Carcassonne is located in this land of plenty, the beautiful village of Sorèze. This medieval town housed initially a large Benedictine monastery and then, in a second step, a very important royal military school founded by Louis XVI. Until the 1990s, the Abbey School, located in the heart of a 6-hectare park, continued to accommodate students before closing definitively its doors. It is in a wing of the abbey that the hotel has found its place. The 72 rooms, labeled three stars are in the majority in the Logis Fathers, while a dozen have been installed in the host Pavilion. The rooms have not veered ostentatious luxury, perhaps piety place requires ... Nevertheless, some concessions were made ​​to improve comfort: the former stables now house a swimming pool, spa (treatments and massages ) and a fitness room. Prices are still tight: rooms from 90 euros and the gourmet restaurant meals Red Necks remains affordable, 35 euros.

A good point for the hotel: it offers the museum tour for each stay. One of the best walks is the one that takes you to Lake St. Ferreol for any knowledge on the Canal du Midi.

Gothic Diving in Saint-Maximin

Just as prestigious as the other two sites, the Royal Convent of Saint-Maximin is located in an exceptional place. Thirty minutes from Aix-en-Provence , in the foothills of the Sainte-Baume. Certainly, we must not dwell on the commercial areas bordering the town and spoil the landscape a bit ... but the place is frankly a visit, as is the nearby basilica. As noted by local guides, the largest Gothic building of Provence. Not difficult, given that Roman art is ubiquitous in Provence. No matter! The hotel part offers 67 rooms and the former chapter house used as a restaurant and, in summer, the tables are even installed in the cloister. If there is no spa, agreements have been signed with neighboring partners (50 meters ...). Golfers will quickly spotted the golf of Sainte-Baume offers its eighteen holes among pine trees and scrubland.