Auberge de Banne
Retro-contemporary village auberge. The aesthetic is warm and deliberately nostalgic — 1950s bistrot references throughout — but rooms are modern and well-equipped. Not stuffy, not a design hotel. Genuinely local in feel.
Ask for a Prestige room with terrace (top floor) for the best views over the Fort and surrounding countryside
Why It Matters
Recommended by the Michelin Guide, Guide Rivages, and Tables et Auberges de France. Listed in Tablet Hotels. One of the most characterful places to stay in southern Ardèche, and the hotel's own motto says it all: 'Parlez-en uniquement à vos meilleurs amis' — only tell your best friends about it.
Auberge de Banne is a 4-star charme hotel sitting at the top of a medieval village perched at 307m in southern Ardèche, on the edge of the Cévennes and overlooking the limestone wilderness of the Bois de Païolive. The owners fell for the place and redesigned it in a style that mixes contemporary comfort with nostalgic retro touches — think red moleskin banquettes, black-and-white photographs, stone-vaulted ceilings, and a heated pool surrounded by old walls draped in southern plants. Beyond the rooms, there's a bistronomic restaurant, a proper wine bar, a boutique selling local products, an art gallery, and a glacier (ice cream).
Where You'll Stay
6 room types available
Chambre Classique
Ground-floor room with a courtyard view. It's the entry-level option at 26m² — not the most glamorous outlook (north-east facing, courtyard-side), but it's spacious for the category and fully accessible for guests with reduced mobility. Good base if you're mostly out exploring.
King size · 26 sqmChambre Deluxe
Second-floor rooms ranging from 20 to 26m² with views onto the Place du Fort or the village lane. These are the 'charm' rooms — snug but full of character, with the buzz of the village square on your doorstep.
King size · 20 sqmChambre Deluxe – Balcon
First-floor rooms of 18–21m², each with a small balcony of around 3m² opening onto the courtyard or Fort square. Fitted with a queen or king size bed. The balcony is compact but gives you a real sense of the village life below.
Queen or King size · 20 sqmChambre Famille – Terrasse
The hotel's largest accommodation at 44m² across two separate rooms on the top floor. First room has a king bed; second has two single beds. The bathroom has both shower and bathtub, and the 13m² terrace looks out over the Ardèche countryside. Comfortably fits up to four, with the option to add an extra bed.
King size (Room 1) + Two singles (Room 2) · 44 sqmChambre Prestige
The best standard room at over 28m² on the 2nd floor, with generous views over the courtyard and Place du Fort. The bathroom steps up with both a shower and a bathtub. Noticeably more space than the Deluxe category, and the views are excellent.
King size · 28 sqmChambre Prestige – Terrasse
Top-floor room at nearly 29m² with a 10m² private terrace that dominates the village of Banne and the Place du Fort. This is the standout room for a couple — you're essentially looking out over the whole village from your own outdoor space.
King size · 29 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
3 venues on property
Restaurant
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
The Gorges de l'Ardèche are about 40km from the hotel. Canoeing outfitters operate on the river, with everything from half-day paddles to multi-day descents.
The Ardèche has more dolmens than Brittany — nearly 900 prehistoric monuments, 27 of which are in and around Banne itself. A marked dolmen trail runs through the area.
A natural limestone labyrinth just below the village — one of the strangest landscapes in the Ardèche, full of eroded rock formations. Walkable directly from the hotel.
The world's most faithful replica of the Chauvet cave — original paintings date back 36,000 years, UNESCO-listed. Around 40-50km from the hotel.
One of France's most impressive living caves, still actively forming stalactites and stalagmites. Located between the Gard and Ardèche, approximately 15–20km from the hotel.
VTT routes running from the Monts d'Ardèche down to the gorges. The hotel has bicycles for rent on-site.
The village square right outside the hotel is open for pétanque. A genuinely local way to spend an afternoon in the shade.
The medieval fort perched at 307m directly above the hotel, with remains of a 16th-century château destroyed in 1792. The intact stables (écuries) host summer concerts, exhibitions, and the Festival d'Art Singulier.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
A meeting room available for seminars and private events.
A lounge area open 24 hours for guests, decorated with artwork and designed as a quiet retreat.
Complimentary WiFi throughout the property.
An on-site gallery showing contemporary art pieces for sale, alongside a boutique stocking local Ardèche products: farmhouse cheeses, artisan charcuterie, honey, and regional wines.
Breakfast served in a vaulted room of ancient stone, or on the panoramic terrace overlooking the village. Features local Ardèche sweet and savoury products.
The hotel does not accept animals.
Free parking available in the village. No on-site private car park, but parking in the village is complimentary.
Bicycles available for hire on-site, ideal for exploring the surrounding Ardèche countryside.
A heated pool set within an enclosed courtyard of ancient stone walls, surrounded by climbing Mediterranean plants. Operates seasonally from May 1 through September 15. The setting makes it feel more like a private garden oasis than a hotel pool.
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Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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