Heritage & terroir of Buis les Baronnies

Rest, relaxation, calm, nature, authenticity ... if these words echo, it's a safe bet that, like us, you will quickly be under the spell of Buis-les Baronnies and its surroundings.
Buis les Baronnies is a picturesque village in Drôme lost in the heart of the Natural Regional Parc of the Baronnies, it enjoys a very privileged and preserved natural environment. This combines to a temperate microclimate gave birth to an exceptional diversity of fauna and flora. Ideal land for fruits trees, aromatic and medicinal plants to flourish.

From Mont-Ventoux to lavender fields

The intense blue of the lavender fields in Sault, the silver-green olive groves, the discrete yellow and light-green of “honey trees”, tasty strawberries, apricots and cherries picked from the trees, the smell of wild thyme and rosemary, the cigales’ warbling, clear starry skies… An idyllic setting, many discoveries.

Outdoor activities in Drôme provençale

Outdoor activities are not lacking: walks, trails, hiking, horseback riding, cycling and motorcycling, picnics, swimming baths in the river, climbing, experiencing the via ferrata in Saint Julien (one of the most important in Europe!), ascending the famous Mont Ventoux walking or cycling or relaxing, enjoying the thermal baths in Montbrun with outdoor hot tubs overlooking the mountains.

Finally, the village of Buis itself, its narrow streets, its church, the listed “Arcades” from the XVth century. At the very heart of the village, the “Place du marché”, its colourful “façades”, its fountain, where the local producers meet every Wednesday and Saturday for the delight of gourmands and gourmets.

You will taste fresh goat cheese, olives, olive oil, honey, apricots and a wide variety of local quality products mainly issued from organic farming.

You may want to explore the nearby villages of the “Pas du Ventoux” : Sault, Brantes, Banon and its superb bookstore..., Vaison-la-Romaine and its Roman remains, le Crestet, Orange and its Roman theatre, Nyons ... and the many cellars around Séguret, Gigondas, Vacqueyras going up to the famous slopes of the Rhone Valley as Châteauneuf du Pape.

The Hôtel les Arcades, present since 1661

“Discover, meeting, crush or coup de gueule, every 15 days, find the advice of Jean-Pierre Buix. He will talk about the Baronnies.”
When we meet Audrey, 38 years old, we are struck by her dynamism and her wish to make and to create. She lived during a long time in the Baronnies, and then she went to make a Tourism master at Aix-en-Provence, with a degree in Egyptology. During 15 years old, she went around Egypt and the Asia as a tourism manager. The return to the country has been almost naturally. The Hôtel les Arcades, lion d’or was selling, and since 6 years, she is the proud owner. It’s important to mention that this hotel have a strong history. Hotel particulier, build in 1661, above the famous arcades built during the 15th century, he was converted as a hotel after the French Revolution. At the liberation, in the 45 and after, the hotel-restaurant was reputed and carried out by the André family, where the chef cooked a fine crayfish, which made the renown of the establishment.
Sadly, there had a dramatic episode when they had the Jews arrest, and every year, a commemoration remembers this horrify tragedy.
Talking to this establishment, we can say that it’s a family business. The Audrey’s parents are always enthusiasts to help her for the hotel and his brother is a permanent support. 7 persons work and Audrey considered them as friend and member of her family. Together, they create a unique atmosphere at the hotel.
She almost restores the entire hotel, except the common area. She takes care to accord the modern and the historic aspect of the hotel. The Hotel Charming and familial is perfect for couple and sportive. It’s the perfect hotel for all kind of client, the one who are looking for gastronomy of the Provence, with local product or the one who only want to enjoy the beauty of the region.
The hotel is located in the heart of the village, with 13 rooms and 3 apartments. They are all different with a unique decoration. Some have a terrace or an inside terrace. The other offers a view on the historic center, on the marketplace where the local life happens. All got the air conditioning, a TV, a double glazing, really soundproof, very comfortable and with king-size bed 180*200. The hotel is certified 3 stars, “Acceuil vélo” and “2 tasses” for his delicious breakfast composed with homemade product and organic and local products. When you enter, you are welcoming with a majesty stare, who, already, make you traveling on another word. They have a heating swimming pool. Cover or open according to the season. And finally, as the icing on a cake, a wonderful garden, with a glycine of 180 years old who was almost there when the hotel was built. It was made around a wash house and he is shaded by an incredible pine. It feels good to live and to relax in a long chair, listening the bird or the sweet sound of the channel of the mill. You can enjoy too the former rampart of Buis. It’s a cocooning place where we feel good.
Many Belgium, Swiss, German and Danish frequent the establishment. The bikers and the cyclist are welcome with a secure local and a locked garage. A half board is available too, the Sunday and the Monday. The rooms cost between 75€ and 140€. The hotel suggest the breakfast and the dinner to the no-resident. Some concerts are organized with the help of Sérénades en Baronies or jazz concert, as well as oenology courses and different tasting (wine, truffle, olive…). Actually, a paint exposition is presented in the reception of the hotel.

Audrey tingles of projects. She always has a step ahead, and she would like to make huge and wonderful thing for Buis-les-baronnies. Concerning the tenacity and her wish to do well, there is no doubt that she will do it.
If you visit Buis-les-baronnies, even without sleep, go to tell her a “hey”. She will host you with kindness and a warm smile.