La Mirande
Set in an old mansion at the foot of the Palais des Papes in the heart of Avignon, La Mirande is steeped in secular history. This timeless refuge offers a dreamy, relaxing and authentic experience in a refines, 18th century-esque décor. With both a gastronomic restaurant and a chef ’s table, the hotel serves honest, living cuisine with respect for ingredients and humankind; a culinary hymn to land and its biodiversity.
The hotel is named after the famous room in the Palais des Papes, La Mirande, where the Pope’s representatives held receptions for the city’s notables and visiting high-ranking officials. Its ancient walls hold years of history. Originally a Cardinal’s Palace in the 14th century, the ruins of La Mirande were restored during the 17th century to create the Hôtel de Vervins and its baroque façade by architect Pierre Mignard, later becoming the Hôtel Pamard between the late 18th and 20th centuries.
The Stein family researched the typical styles and materials of the region in depth before beginning restoration works between 1987 and 1990. While some listed features reflect the early origins of La Mirande, its owners wanted to recreate the atmosphere of an 18th century aristocratic residence, where period tapestries and chandeliers harmoniously co-exist with tufted armchairs and master paintings.
The 18th century interior en vogue in the Age of Enlightment were recreated when, in 1990 La Mirande opened its doors as a hotel-restaurant. This very French house was inspired by the grace of living that, for some, existed before the time of revolutions.
Behind its stunning facade, La Mirande exudes the sweet way of life of yesteryear. The twenty-six upper-floor rooms boast a unique décor, each with its own 18th century wall hanging recreated by Braquenié, Le Manach, Canovas, Comoglio and Rubelli, to name a few. The abundant Indienne fabrics, also known as “toile de Jouy”, are a perfect match for the silk-lined curtains with large pleats that pool softly on the floor. All modern comforts are seamlessly integrated into the interior design, as evinced by the “mirror” televisions. The bright and cheerful rooms quickly help tired travellers relax and unwind. Many of them afford a splendid and unique view of the high walls of the Palais des Papes. The bathroom constitutes a noble room in itself, with a delightfully unexpected décor of vintage Mauny block-printed wallpaper, antique faucets and Carrare marble.
This quiet place, remote from the hustle and bustle of the Avignon festival, is yet generously open to the curiosity of all those who cross its austere, classical French Threshold, intrigued by a glance from the street or on the advice of friends. It has the basic virtues of a garden, which geometrically distributes the atmospheres to suit a variety of moods. It is perhaps after nightfall that this diversity is most apparent, when the careful lighting brings out the individual features of each place. The domain then takes on the appearance of a labyrinth, and each corner shrouds itself in intimacy, protecting the privacy of conversations and the silence of solitary musing, until La Mirande drifts into sleep, sleep from which we emerge the next morning, surprised at the new light shed on what we thought we had.
La Mirande offers a fresh and creative cuisine, with a Provençal touch. True to the tradition of the Stein family, the chef Jean-Claude Aubertin meets personally with the growers as he constantly strives to find the best products, grown in their native soil and harvested at the peak of ripeness this giving full meaning to the concepts of terroir and seasonal. The gourmet restaurant’s friendly and attentive staff creates a truly gastronomic experience in the warm and inviting setting of the Cardinalice room, a vestige of the cardinals’ residence, with its magnificent Renaissance coffered ceiling. In winter, a crackling fireplace plays soft background music while in warmer weather the terrace and garden provide an oasis of calm. Adjoining the main restaurant, the Napoleon III salon with its original woodwork and period vaisselier creates an especially festive setting for guests in the former dining room of the Pamard family. Adopting a very simple approach that favours the story behind a wine over the technical skill that went into its making, the sommelier’s selections are often personal favourites or the result of fruitful encounters with men and women, craftsmen and wine lovers. His wine list features great names, but also a host of wines made using ancestral methods and, more recently, biodynamic wines.
Since 1994, La Mirande’s cooking school, “Le Marmiton”, hosts the region’s greatest chefs. One week per month, they will invite you to join them in the old kitchen where they will cook on the 19 century wood-fired stove. The area’s gourmets, young and old alike, appreciate these entertaining moments when know-hows and kitchen tips are transmitted in a place filled with history.
Aprons, utensils and spec sheets are provided at the start of the class which finishes with a sampling meal accompanied by wines chosen by the sommelier. Novice chefs will have the pleasure of inviting friends to join them round the table and share in the lunch or dinner they have prepared.
La Mirande is a member of exclusive Virtuoso travel network. Book online or contact our Virtuoso Travel Advisor Info@classictravel.com for more details.
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