La Divine Comédie
Guest house · Avignon ·
Unique suites, spa, garden pool, bar, library, art & antiques
Information
16 Imp. Jean Pierre Gras, 84000 Avignon, France Get directions
Unique suites, spa, garden pool, bar, library, art & antiques
16 Imp. Jean Pierre Gras, 84000 Avignon, France Get directions
"Lush, verdant gardens and striking stonework cocoon this historic hideaway, transporting you from Avignon’s bustling labyrinth of ancient streets to a beautiful, quiet refuge. I framed a small stone bath beneath a large clock in foliage‑shaded light and composed the pool to read like a natural spring, using hanging branches to envelop the pool and pool house in nature. Inside, art, antiques, and literature set a luxurious, romantic mood: an evening vignette uses limited artificial light to cast shadows on the walls, while a view into The Naples Suite centers the fireplace alongside its chandelier, desk chair, mirror, and gold accents as the light fades left to right into calm, moody serenity." - Mark Fedeli
"You'd never guess it but behind a massive unmarked iron gate at the end of an impasse lies a magnificent secret garden—Avignon’s largest—and a supremely chic new five-room maison d’hôtes. After seven years of painstaking restoration, Parisian owners Gilles Jauffret (an interior designer and self-professed antique-market addict) and Amaury de Villoutreys have transformed this former residence for cardinals into an enchanting theatrical space filled with rescued church relics, hand-painted screens, rich fabrics and crystal chandeliers. But a museum it is not: beyond the unique decor (inspired by Naples, Venice and the Middle East), the bedrooms are also deeply comfortable. Most romantic is Aphrodite, with its big round bed, ceiling-high white gauzy curtains and huge terrace for cocktail hour. Wild beasts and whimsy also feature: there are tables with Shrek-like feet, a life-size baby elephant sculpture in the salon, and a vintage merry-go-round horse watching over the stairwell. Wherever your eyes fall, there’s something to discover, including the collection of 200 historical regional artworks that decorate the monumental curved staircase. After breakfast in the sunlit conservatory, explore the garden (with a terrific view of the Palais des Papes’ crenelated towers), then follow the jasmine-scented path to the stone pool and a spa pavilion. Jauffret and de Villoutreys will arrange a private dinner in the orangery, or you can step next door to their bar, Le Complot, a converted barn where a switched-on theatre crowd drink local wines alongside plates of sardines and foie gras. —Lanie Goodman." - Lanie Goodman, Sarah James
"La Divine Comédie charmed me as an exquisite guesthouse in Avignon with tasteful décor and a lush lawn shaded by towering trees, a small oasis in the city." - Rachel Donadio Rachel Donadio Rachel Donadio is a Paris-based writer and former European culture correspondent for The New York Times. Her work has been featured in The Atlantic, Vogue, and Travel + Leisure, and she’s made regular appearances on news programs like NPR. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"How did it strike you on arrival?La Divine Comédie is hidden behind a big gate down one of the honeycomb-colored alleyways in old Avignon, just a few minutes from the Palais de Papes, in a historic district where cardinals used to live. It's incredibly central, but you don't feel it in this majestic mansion with the largest private garden in town, which took seven years to build because it had been so abandoned! The garden was a jungle, overrun with vegetation, but its designer owners embraced the task as a labor of love. Nice. What's the crowd like?The owner, Giles Jauffret, is a known decorator and stylist from Paris, and the property had a huge, 12-page spread in a recent issue of Côté Sud magazine—expect to see other Parisians who appreciate aesthetics and the finer things in life. The good stuff: Tell us about your room.The decoration is noticeable from the start. Gilles and his co-owner Amaury de Villoutreys (who the French papers call a "cultivated aristocrat") scoured the French countryside to source antiques, and have positioned them among contemporary pieces. The five suites (Venice, Consul, Aphrodite, Naples and Anatole) are all individually decorated around their namesake theme. I stayed in the Venice room, with 45 different gorgeous gouaches depicting Venice from the 18th- to 19th-centuries. Then in the public area you have 1920s chairs that are replicas of Tutankhamun's throne, tulip chairs by Eero Saarinen... How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies. Any of that find its way into your suitcase?The Wi-Fi worked—as did the Nespresso machine (and the very comfortable, elegant bed.) If you had to award a trophy to a member of the staff, who would you award a trophy to and what did they do to earn it?The dogs and cats! They lounge around the house. Top marks to the dog for being adorably affectionate. Anything stand out about other services and features? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—whatever stuck with you.The hot tub in the garden has views of the Palais and the surrounding flowers—there are 100 different species in the garden, framed by towering, centuries-old plane trees. Bottom line: worth it, and why?After a mammoth renovation, the maison finally opened in June 2017. Just don't call it a hotel—there are only five luxury suites, making it legally a 'chambres d'hôtel', and a truly intimate space."
"Located in Avignon in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region, 400 metres from Papal Palace, La Divine Comédie boasts a year-round outdoor pool and a garden. The bed and breakfast has a sun terrace and spa centre, and guests can enjoy a drink at the bar. Free WiFi is offered throughout the property and private parking is available on site. Rooms include a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. You will find a coffee machine in the room. All rooms are fitted with a private bathroom. Extras include bathrobes, slippers and free toiletries. You will find a shared lounge at the property. You can engage in various activities, such as cycling and hiking. Pont d'Avignon is 500 metres from La Divine Comédie, while Avignon City Hall is 500 metres away. The nearest airport is Avignon-Provence Airport, 9 km from the property." - My Boutique Hotel (en)
