“Les bonnes adresses ont toujours une histoire de famille.” So says the blurb for this warm-hearted country hotel, the focal point of a farming village in the scenic Cévennes. And the address of la Lozerette happens to be very good indeed. It’s all down to the friendly hospitality of Pierrette Agulhon, the hands-on grand-daughter of the hotel’s founder. Her auberge positively overflows with charm.
The restaurant has always been popular. Chef Jorge Borges continues to enhance its reputation with creative interpretations of traditional dishes, albeit keeping a firm foothold in the local terroir. And, by the way, it’s best to leave the choice of wine to Mme Agulhon – she trained as a sommelier and is justifiably proud of her carte.
Although wine is her passion, she has not neglected her accommodation. The bedrooms and bathrooms are immaculately presented – lots of polished wood and shiny tiles. Décor is cheerful (but restful) and only a couple of rooms are without a little balcony from which to appreciate the views. Unusually for a French 2* hotel, there is also a comfortable bar/lounge.
The village stands on a sunny plateau about 3 miles above Florac. It is magnificent walking country, even without a donkey. It was, after all, Robert Louis Stevenson who said: “if the Garden of Eden exists, it lays in the Tarn Valley down to Florac”.