La Mirande

Amazing staff. Rooms are exquisitely detailed and large. This hotel at one time was the Cardinal’s residence. Beautiful gardens. Across from Pope’s Palace with views of the ancient walls. Many common area rooms to relax and beautiful breakfast room.

This 17th century chateau, converted to a luxury hotel a few decades ago, is a treasure in the heart of the walled city of Avignon. The rooms are spacious and elegant, with large, modern bathrooms. Service is impeccable. Although there can be minor language barriers at times, every employee goes above and beyond to make everything work with the magic that one can feel only in a special property like this.

My husband and I had the absolute pleasure of staying at La Mirande for three nights in December 2023. It has been my dream for many years to stay at La Mirande. And La Mirande did not disappoint in fact it far exceeded our expectations! The hotel is perfectly located right next to the Palais des Papes. The hotel itself is absolutely stunning understated elegance at its best. The rooms are beautifully decorated with lovely furnishings and sumptuous Pierre Frey fabrics. We stayed in room 20 which we just loved. The housekeeping was impeccable with day and evening service. The breakfast buffet was plentiful and delicious. We also enjoyed Afternoon Tea. We had all three dinners at “La Salle à Manger” which we thoroughly enjoyed. I think my husband would have been open to trying other places but I never wanted to leave the hotel. Next time I would love to try the Michelin starred “Le Restaurant” which wasn’t open the days we stayed there and the La “Table Haute”. I would also love to take one of the cooking courses that La Mirande offers. The hotel arranged a pick up from the train station and we were met by Pauline who was so engaging and was amazing at navigating the tiny streets. The hotel also arranged for Pauline to take us to Arles, Nîmes and the Pont de Gard-a great excursion. The first person who we met at the hotel was Anthony Trotin who was so personable, professional and helpful. We also met another Anthony, Margot, Guillaume and Célia. I am sorry I can’t remember everyone’s name but everyone we encountered at La Mirande was accommodating, gracious and professional. It was a dream to be able to stay at La Mirande and we will definitely be back!

Came specially as recommended for a nice afternoon tea in front of a lovely fire in the living room. Unfortunately the waiter said it wouldn’t be possible to be lit as the manager is absent! Lovely old world charm to hotel. Nice tea and panetonne anyway!

We were really looking forward to having afternoon tea here to celebrate our twins 9th birthday. Positives. I loved my tea melange mirande. Very cosy with the fire place. Things I can look beyond. Furniture (chairs etc) all very dated and worn; it could be considered cozy and authentic. Things I can not overlook. Customer service was non existent! No welcome. No menus offered. No customers there yet all the tables in the lounge had dirty glasses etc on the tables. I had to ask the reception desk for the hotel if anyone was working in the tea room. After complaining and getting service we were served. No explanation of the cakes we were eating or the drinks. Really really disappointing. I live in Avignon so it is not a cultural difference just really bad staff. Sorry La Mirande but you let me down and my twins 9th birthday.

A stay here feeling going back in time but with the modern amenities. We stayed in room 20, which is a corner room that has a lot of light, very spacious too although the layout is a bit odd (toilet and the bathroom are separated by a very long hall way). While it was hot outside, the room always stayed very cool so my thermostat stayed at 74 but still cool (I’d imagine that it might be actually be a little cold in winter despite you can turn on the heater). The one star restaurant at the hotel was amazing! I only did the 3 meal course but the little dishes kept on coming in and each dish was so creative and delicious. The meal lasted over 3 hours but was very enjoyable. If you are driving to the hotel, the roads do turn narrower and narrower where it can be a bit nerve wracking to drive, so renting a small car would be recommended. When we leave on the last day, we made a wrong turn and almost got stuck in a tight corner. 😅. Going in and out or Avignon also always seemed to have traffic, so do plan a bit more time going in and out of the hotel. Valet could take up 15 min as well.

Everything