Philippe and his holiday home in La Bastide
In my place, there are no clients, only partners. Philippe Papadimitriou and his "Etoile" offer a completely different atmosphere; you feel right at home. He welcomes you simply, into a spacious place that puts you at ease instantly. He does not see himself as a "merchant," but rather as a passionate "developer," fully convinced that he possesses a goldmine, which he has always felt and has been developing maturely since 1991. Year after year, he has refined his project and concept to foster a rich and generous exchange with his guests.
Open during the summer season, from June to September, Philippe is a true ship captain, and he often compares his guest house to a cruise ship that he embarks on for this journey. A trip he invites you to share, to board for a quick stopover or a longer stay. Then, he regains his freedom for his travels and takes time to discover other ideas and treasures of life. This constructive, complementary period allows him to restart the following season in great shape.
We are here, just a stone's throw from the station and the famous Stevenson path, by the banks of the Allier river, in the former family pension Ranc or the old Hôtel du Parc. This majestic holiday hotel from the 30s significantly contributed to the success of La Bastide-Puylaurent during the thriving era of "baths." The thermal station "Chaîne du Soleil" is still in full operation in Saint-Laurent-les-Bains, on the neighboring side of Ardèche.
At that time, wealthy families left the stifling heat of Marseille, Nîmes, and the Côte d'Azur to breathe the fresh air of La Bastide at a pleasant altitude of 1,024 meters. For leisure, one would go trout fishing in the pond or the river, visit and picnic at the nearby abbey of Notre-Dame-des-Neiges, and search for mushrooms in the rich undergrowth. It was the golden age! La Bastide-Puylaurent was certainly not short of work, as the construction of major dams in the area was booming. These large projects employed hundreds of workers and engineers, and all these people ate and slept in the village. The train also brought prosperity to the region; the crowded "Le Cévenol," which connected Paris to Marseille, always stopped at La Bastide-Saint-Laurent-les-Bains when travelers were hungry. Philippe's neighbor told him how his family would prepare sandwiches early in the morning to sell through the train windows with each passing. Those were good times... and he added: "One season, one house"...
Philippe has also been part of the Stevenson Path association. "It was too commercial for me... my niche is the authentic atmosphere of a guest house." A Belgian accent steeped in dark beer, a very international atmosphere, and a family-style, balanced, and delicious cuisine.
A welcoming entrance hall opens onto a wide staircase painted beautifully in white. A lush, bright veranda invites you to sit and enjoy the last rays of the sun before the meal. Philippe offers a choice between rooms with or without private bathrooms, but residents often prefer the comfort and privacy of rooms overlooking the quiet park and the Allier River. You can also leave your car in his private park safely during your journey on the GR®70. He also provides plenty of interesting information in his booklet, which can be found in each room—ideal for reading with a good Belgian abbey beer in a lounge chair in the garden. Many circular hikes around La Bastide are readily available in his office in the form of detailed leaflets.
Son of a Greek father (freelance journalist) and a Belgian mother, Philippe Papadimitriou is a worldly man, highly creative and constantly innovative. In the evening, near the warm fire, he takes his guitar and sings "Hotel California" or ballads of legendary gold seekers. At the piano, he can also improvise freely for an hour in the large dining room. He certainly does not appear to work 14 hours a day between breakfast, cleaning, laundry, and dinner. For him, the difficulty of work is primarily psychological; "you just have to get organized," he says with a smile. "By offering traditional hospitality, you do not allow people to give of themselves. The table d'hôte, the piano, the space, the fireplace, and the simplicity; it's precisely to allow giving of one's wealth and to be able to truly exchange." It is beautiful like this, the Stevenson Path... by Pierre Fayolle.
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