Have You Ever Dreamed Of Running a B&B?

On the dreariest of work days, when the rain is pelting against the window and you've got a pile of stuff to get through, moving to the South of France or rural Tuscany and opening up a bed and breakfast suddenly feels very appealing - don't you think?! Meet Yvonne, a writer and communications expert and partner Micke, a former national middle-distance runner and PE teacher who live in Neffiés, Languedoc, South of France. The Swedish pair looked at over 60 houses before falling in love with this late 19th century former winery. Enticed by the original mouth-blown windows, high ceilings, stucco features, countless fireplaces and handmade tiles, the duo painstakingly renovated the space before opening it up as La Belle Vue guest house. Today visitors are treated to relaxing bedrooms and communal areas furnished with local antique and market finds, a cuddle with their dog Sigge and a pool area with breathtaking views over the surrounding vineyards and the Pyrenees.

Hats make great 'relaxed' wall art (as also seen in the bedroom of Elin's summer cottage) and if the sun gets too much - you can always pluck one off the wall!

When the sun shines (which I can imagine is often!) this lovely, rustic outdoor kitchen is used to serve breakfast.

A Thonet style chair (source vintage ones here*) fits in perfectly in the dining room - and just how pretty are the handmade tiles?!

This rose and khaki colour combination is so pretty! Definitely adding this to the colour charts for my own home! 

FYI I stayed in a hotel recently and they had left basket bags like this for us to use too, they were so handy for the beach and going to the local market - I've now got an entire collection at home! Perhaps something to leave out if you have guests at home too? You can source similar here*.

There's something truly romantic about this bathroom area - imagine a soak looking out over the vineyards?! 

Perhaps we all need to check this place out in in person? See you there summer 2019?!

Check out more pictures here and book here. And a full tour over over on photographer Anna Malmberg's blog.

Or maybe you'll have opened your own bed and breakfast by then? If you already have one, feel free to share the link in the comment section below! And if you're dreaming about starting something entirely different we'd love to hear about that too! My husband would like to sail the world one day... I may need some persuading but I guess it's not entirely impossible.

If you're looking for other lovely places to stay in France I love the look of this idyllic holiday home and in Paris - Hotel Henriette is wonderful. It's where I stayed for the launch of the French version of my book Lagom, the swedish art of Living a Balanced, Happy Life and it was like a real home from home.

Vive La France - and Monday morning dreams!

Niki

Photos courtesy of La Belle Vue / Some taken by Anna Malmberg and styled by Mari Strengheim

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