Metafort

Let's not reduce this house to its swimming pool alone — however extraordinary and undeniably photogenic it may be. Since taking over the property, where the gueules cassées — soldiers left facially disfigured by the First World War — were once cared for, and breathing new life into it, Elsa and Arnaud have transformed this stone bastide into a remarkable place that honours its past. There is plenty of design and understated elegance, without ever tipping into excessive minimalism, along with a strong sense of personality in the carefully curated pieces and combinations throughout. This rare sophistication extends even to the beautifully prepared sharing boards that can be served poolside. Allez Hop's favourite is L'Annesque cottage: with no TV and no Wi-Fi, it's the perfect retreat to truly switch off, offering a breathtaking view perched directly above the Gorges de la Nesque. And then there's the Sous les Étoiles room, featuring a bed mounted on rails so it can be rolled onto the terrace for a night under the stars — not a bad idea at all!