The story: Craving a little peace without taking a wow of silence? Make a pilgrimage to Prieuré Saint-Nicolas, a twelfth-century royal tollhouse perched above the Gardon River, just a couple of strides from Uzès. Bought in 2020 by Arnaud Le Bihan, with his wife Pauline by his side, this history-steeped property has been reincarnated as an XXL family home, where the holy trinity of sleeping well, eating well and drinking well reigns supreme. The two guest houses, Cloître and Réfectoire, contain seven rooms and four suites, each with its own character and understated elegance, plus large windows overlooking the garden or Saint-Nicolas bridge (with a balcony or a terrace in some). To prolong your spiritual retreat, there’s a spacious lounge with an enormous fireplace, shady terraces and a natural swimming pool that’s pure temptation. Not to mention exhibitions, concerts, open-air film screenings, yoga classes and other earthly delights in and around the deconsecrated church – because even the most devout retreat-goers can’t stay cloistered forever! Double rooms from €190 per night. · Nella Gracie

Little luxury: Have a nosey around the boutique in the crypt and leave with a suitcase full of the estate’s own honey, local wine, beer and olive oil… then descend upon the wine cellar for a tasting that’s nothing short of divine.