Baudon de Mauny
Languedoc-Roussillon, France[view map]
Comments from members who've stayed at Baudon de Mauny
The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth: the only people who can contribute to a hotel Guestbook are Smith members who have just stayed there, so everything you read below is honest-to-goodness fact. We even credit members’ Vault accounts with cash for each comment we publish. To learn more about membership, click here.
Just got back from Baudon de Mauny in Montpellier, and loved our stay. We were so smitten by the hotel/house that we tried to stay another night, but there was no availability (only five rooms so no surprise). Alain, the owner, went out of his way to try to get us an alternative, and was charming, pleasant, and most importantly, informative. He provides a mini map of central Montpellier, with recommendations listed for shopping areas (tres chic), sightseeing in the old mediaeval part of town (beautiful), and eating and drinking (outstanding – worth the trip just for the 'experience gastronomique').
Tips :
Le Petit Jardin for dinner. Modern setting, traditional French cooking done with style. Steak tartare starter was sublime (don't be scared, was so fresh it was still mooing), classic sole meuniere cooked to perfection, seasoned perfectly, moist yet firm.
Chez Boris – This 'wine bar' was absolutely rammed full with savvy locals on each of the three days we were in Montpellier. Initially popped in for 'un verre de vin rouge', but stayed for a late (2pm) lunch as tables became free, and returned for dinner on our second night. The food (never mind the extensive wine-list) was way beyond expectations. I had the pork medallions in gorgonzola sauce which was an unusually subtle combination and the pork was so soft and tender. my wife had small truffle raviolis - loads of them in a lovely creamy mushroom sauce. Wine served by the glass and recommendations made for each dish which genuinely complimented the food. The service was friendly and really helpful - menu had no English translation, but I used my schoolboy French to order what I could and be polite, and was pleased to find that this usually was met by a 'full marks for effort' approach from the friendly French.
* Shopping – take your plastic gents, and leave plenty room in the luggage for shoe boxes! Actually, the shopping was a pleasure. Lots of windy, cobbled streets with little quirky boutiques, and loads of little leafy squares in which to have a pit-stop – the perfect mix – shopping and drinking, it means everyone is happy ! Never seen so many shoe shops in one place...
* Last tip – Split your day in two by having an apres lunch siesta. The shops close between 12.30pm and 2pm, so get some walking/sightseeing done in the morning, stop for lunch (as all of Montpellier does), have a snooze, and get out and about again about 5ish – the shops are open until 7pm. Then it's time for an aperitif and to start bickering about which of the many fantastic restaurants you've seen that day you will dine in !
Montpellier was superb and we will be back.
