Les Sardines aux yeux bleus

Off the beaten path, down a country road in the Cévennes region of southern France, Les Sardines aux Yeux Bleus is a quirky gem. Located on the grounds of an old farm, it’s the passion project of a creative couple who restored the farmhouse and outbuildings, transforming the place into a shabby-chic boutique hotel where resident cats laze on sunny patios and guests relax around the beautiful swimming pool. Inside, the look is delightfully rustic: the owners haven’t done away with the original furnishings and fixtures, they’ve simply modernized them, whitewashing walls and putting in skylights, bringing new life to heavy wooden tables, exposed brick walls, and oversized farm sinks lined with pretty blue tiles. There’s a trio of simple guest rooms and three larger suites with private kitchens and terraces, or you can rent out the whole house. A charming country-style breakfast is included each morning, and on request, lunch is served beneath a flowering courtyard trellis.