This trip is a month long sabattical for me. We have been to Istanbul, the French Countryside, Saint-Tropez, and now St. Paul de Vence. Toile Blanche is my favorite hotel so far. In Saint-Tropez, we stayed at Chateau de la Messardiere (sp) which is the nicest hotel there, and also stayed at le Mas de Pierre, which is just across the road essentially from TB TB is our favorite among all of them.
The hotel has only like 7 rooms and the hosts--three artisan brothers--are wonderful. Gregory and his wife, Caroline are delightful. The restaurant is now closed for the season. We had a great (huge) lunch yesterday in Eze. Too full to go out to dinner, I sat at the bar and ordered a beer and was snacking on some chips from the mini bar. Gregory, instead, insisted that I enjoy the family in their dinner and presented me (at not charge), an awesome plate of past with a pork. It was incredible. I got to eat with him and his wife and their 5 year old son, as well as Caroline's mother who is visiting from Thailand where she owns a small hotel as well. What a delight--great conversation and great food. I really felt like a personal guest at their home.
The rooms are huge and beautiful--great shower and tub. We had the superior (or whatever the upgraded level is) room. Every hotel we have stayed at I have had a problem with the shower water splashing all over the place creating a real mess, but not here--well designed. The hotel is decorated with the brothers' art. I think the hotel is abo