La Mirande is the address that Avignon regulars quietly recommend for a special stay. It stands at 4 place de l'Amirande, on a small square at the very foot of the Palais des Papes, so the great palace is literally your neighbour, and the Rocher des Doms gardens, the Pont Saint-Bénézet and the heart of the old town are all within a few minutes on foot. The building is a historic mansion with history-steeped walls, and the rooms are arranged in categories from Deluxe and Grand Deluxe rooms to suites, with just a couple of dozen in total, so the atmosphere stays intimate and hushed. Food is a central part of the experience. The hotel runs a gourmet restaurant led by chef Michele Donvito, who cooks hearty dishes rooted in the flavours of the Vaucluse, alongside a bistro, a more casual table, a tavern, a bar and tea room and even an ice cream parlour, which gives you choices for every mood. There is also a cooking school, with classes that run with guest chefs, which makes a memorable activity for a couple or a group of friends. Practical comforts include air conditioning, a lift, room service, a car park and a terrace and garden for quiet moments between sightseeing.
Location and getting around
This is the most central of the hotels in our selection for the sights themselves. You can walk to the palace entrance in two minutes, to the bridge in about ten, and to the Place de l'Horloge and the pedestrian shopping streets in about the same. The railway station at Avignon Centre is a twenty-minute walk or a short taxi ride, and the car park means arriving by road is straightforward, though the streets around the palace are narrow, so confirm directions with the hotel before you drive.
Day trips to the Luberon, the Pont du Gard or Châteauneuf-du-Pape can be arranged with a guided tour that collects you in town.
The rooms and the feel
Expect antiques, rich fabrics and a quiet, enveloping style rather than minimalism, so it suits travellers who like character and a sense of place. Deluxe and Grand Deluxe rooms vary in size and layout, and the suites give more space, so mention any preference for a quieter room or a particular outlook when you book.
Rates sit at the top of the Avignon market, and breakfast is an extra, so factor that into your budget. The hotel is at its busiest in July for the festival and in the sunny months, and it is also a delightful place in the quieter seasons, when the dining rooms are calm and the city is yours.
Who it suits
Couples, honeymooners and anyone marking an occasion, as well as food lovers who want a cooking class and a good table at the door. Families are welcome but the setting is more refined than child-focused. Book well ahead for festival dates and weekends, check any special events the hotel is running, and ask the concierge to reserve the palace's timed entry or a table for dinner. If you want a pool or large grounds, look elsewhere, because this is a city mansion where the pleasure is in the details and the location.
Why stay here
- ✓Beside the Palais des Papes
- ✓Gourmet restaurant and bistro
- ✓Cooking school
- ✓Bar and tea room
- ✓Garden and terrace
- ✓Room service
- ✓Air conditioning and lift
- ✓On-site car park
Good questions
Where is La Mirande?+
It is at 4 place de l'Amirande, on a small square at the foot of the Palais des Papes. The palace entrance, the gardens and the bridge are all a short walk away.
Does La Mirande have a restaurant and cooking school?+
Yes. It has a gourmet restaurant, a bistro and several other dining spots, and it runs cooking classes, some with guest chefs. Check the hotel's site for the current schedule.
Is La Mirande suitable for families?+
Families are welcome, but the intimate, antique-filled style suits couples and adults better. Ask about family rooms and room options when you book.
