NORD PINUS - Arles

Paris Pop Up took over the Nord Pinus restaurant this summer with a mouth watering menu from start to finish. Bravo !

This hotel is right in the center of town and full of history. Cocteau, Picasso and the likes stayed there. It has been greatly decorated on one feels the history in every room. Excellent ambiance, but a bit pricey.

This quaint boutique hotel makes for an excellent base from which to explore Arles and its surroundings. It stands atop the ancient Greek-Roman forum, the heart of the city. If you are the type that wishes to be close to the crowds be away from the crush, slip in the side door to their cafe and bistro for a very comfortable drink or meal.

On the Sunday of the Feria du Riz, we chose to dine at the Nord Pinus restaurant based on its lovely terrace, and the Greek-inspired menu. (It was one of the few restaurants that wasn't serving paella that day.). For our entrées, we had the Greek salad and the Mezze du Chef (a mixed plate of raw vegetables, olives, capers, and Greek dips). Both were beautiful and tasty. For our plats, we both had the chicken marinated in yoghurt and pan sautéed with chanterelle mushrooms, served with French green beans. It was good, but neither as tasty or nor as beautiful as the entrées). For the children's menu, the restaurant offered spaghetti with "sauce tomato," which turned out to be a surprisingly good chunky tomato and basil sauce. The service was just okay. But, I chalk that up to the press of a holiday crowd. A bit pricey for what it was.

Our grand tour of france and Italy took us to the lovely city of Arles in Provence. This grand hotel is lovely, right next to the Forum. Tough to find so trust your sat nav, it does work. The building is just delightful full of old world charm but the rooms are modernised and the bathroom is lovely. Lovely to sit outside with a negroni and watch the world go by. Only niggle was the breakfast which is very expensive indeed for what you get. Avoid and find something local there are plenty of places. We loved the service from all the staff who were charming. Parking is difficult and distant unless you are lucky enough to get a space in the hotel garage. We will be back!