As a very eco-conscious establishment, we at La Verrière are always interested to see what other environmentally friendly incentives are going on in our local area. Thankfully, France is very good at pushing for green energy production, reducing energy usage and lowering its environmental impact all round but we were delighted to find that our region is particularly good at this with some interesting and innovate projects.
Imagining a medieval priory as being somewhat basic in what it is has to offer is entirely understandable. But La Verriere is far from basic. Tucked away on the edge of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a large part of the charm of this whole house hire is its idyllic seclusion. But rather than being a slightly provincial or ‘shabby chic’ place to stay, La Verriere oozes with eco-luxury accommodation and provides guests with a ‘medieval meets modern’ taste of Provence - from the beautiful setting, to the gastronomic organic and locally sourced food, to the biodynamic wines produced from the estate’s ancient vineyards.
Wine and business have been intertwined (or maybe intert-wined!) for as long as both have existed. Whether in networking, negotiating deals, impressing customers or rewarding employees, wine often plays an important role in oiling the wheels of commerce. But wine retreats don’t just provide an interesting and productive way to do business or share ideas, they provide a getaway for people to escape from their daily lives, refresh themselves and be inspired by coming together in different surroundings.
Located in a stunning, secluded, spot in a UNESCO World Heritage site, La Verriere has extensive conferencing and meeting facilities. Having our own vineyard and state of the art winery enables us to offer 'extreme' wine-related activities that go far beyond a normal wine tasting – something to give any corporate event that extra special edge.
Sustainability is sometimes associated with living simply and austerely. This is not the case at La Verrière.
Our goal from the start has been to preserve the integrity and history of the abandoned medieval estate and its prehistoric terroir, while enhancing its exceptional character with sustainable, organic and biodynamic practices - in the priory, in the vineyard and in the winery. Since we began renovating the property in the 1990s, we have worked hard to restore and protect the delicate ecosystem that existed long before the Templars farmed the land in the 9th century. We are located high up in a mountain saddle within the heart of the Mt Ventoux UNESCO Biosphere Reserve completely isolated, with no neighbours or contaminants, creating a perfect laboratory for pioneering practices that forge new thinking about caring for our surrounding nature, our planet and our health.
That makes sites with this designation very special indeed. Whether they are areas of amazing natural beauty or profound cultural significance, these sites are some of the most visited in the world and include Machu Picchu, the Pyramids of Giza, Angkor Wat, the Great Wall of China, the Roman Colosseum, the Acropolis of Athens and Stonehenge. So being able to have the exclusive use of La Verrière, a 9th-century medieval priory situated in the heart of a UNESCO world heritage site, is a unique and wonderful experience.
Discerning travellers are increasingly moving away from traditional 5* hotel accommodation in favour of hiring extremely high-end houses for their trips. Travel giant AirBnB responded to this change in trends by launching a service called AirBnB Luxe, extending their traditional ‘low cost’ accommodation by offering exceptional, luxury, properties to hire. AirBnB co-founder, Brian Chesky explained this decision: “Today’s luxury traveller is craving more than just high-end accommodations; they seek transformation and experiences that leave them feeling more connected to each other and to their destination.” Here are just some of the reasons people are choosing ‘whole house hire’.
