Unusual stay near Nîmes: glass-roofed rooms and themed studios
For an unusual place to stay in Nîmes, two stand out at Mas Bois Fontaine: La Rotonde, a former stone henhouse turned into a bohemian loft under a glass roof, and L'Orangeraie, with its glass roof facing the garden. Alongside them, La Maison dans les Arbres (a house among the trees) and the themed La Madone du Mas studios round out the offer of unusual accommodation in the Gard, 15-20 minutes from the Arènes.
What makes a night near Nîmes unusual?
An unusual night near Nîmes does not mean travelling far. It comes down to a place that is nothing like a standard hotel room: a renovated building with a history, a big glass roof, thoughtful decor, a countryside setting. These are the criteria we go by:
- A building with a history: stone, beams and original volumes.
- Something that changes your evening: a glass roof, string lights, a fireplace or a wood burner.
- A calm setting, away from city noise, with a garden or courtyard.
- The comfort of a proper holiday rental: air conditioning, a kitchen or dining area, Wi-Fi.
The estate sits in the Costières countryside, 15-20 minutes from the centre of Nîmes. If you are still weighing up which area to choose, our guide to where to stay in Nîmes compares the options.
La Rotonde: a former henhouse turned bohemian loft
La Rotonde is probably the most unusual place to stay on the estate. It used to be a stone henhouse and has been fully renovated while keeping its character: stone walls, beams and exposed stonework. The style is bohemian chic, over 95 m², for 2 to 4 guests.
Its highlight is a long glass roof that looks onto the garden and lets you watch the stars. In the evening, string lights give a soft glow, and the wood burner warms cool nights. The rental has air conditioning, Wi-Fi and a garden corner with a barbecue.
L'Orangeraie: a glass roof facing the garden
L'Orangeraie offers a different kind of quirky stay: a colourful, one-of-a-kind rental of 60 m² for two guests. The glass roof opens onto the garden, and the outdoor courtyard is shaded by trees and quiet. The living room has a period fireplace, and string lights come on in the evening.
The bedroom is cosy, the bathroom elegant, and the kitchen fully equipped, with a desk area. You can stay for a weekend or a week, on a self-catering basis.
La Maison dans les Arbres (a house among the trees): sleeping among the trees
La Maison dans les Arbres (a house among the trees) is a 76 m² house for 2 to 4 guests, set among the trees and facing due south. It has a 360° view over a park, with no one overlooking you. The private garden has a private spa, surrounded by jasmine, hydrangeas and lemon trees.
It has two bedrooms with 160 cm beds, air conditioning, Wi-Fi and a barbecue. Bicycles are available to ride to the Costières vineyards, in under five minutes.
Can you travel through six countries on one estate?
That is what La Madone du Mas, our second estate at 1438 chemin de Bois Fontaine, offers. Studios, each decorated on the theme of a different country:
- La Madone de Bali: soothing decor inspired by the island of the gods, a large bathtub, a king-size bed, a patio.
- La Madone du Mexique: vibrant, colourful decor and a festive mood.
- La Madone d'Ibiza: bright white with bohemian touches.
- La Madone de Grèce: inspired by Cycladic houses, with a patio overlooking a pond.
- La Madone de Marrakech: warm tones, zellige tiles and handcrafted materials, with the feel of a riad.
- La Madone de Camargue: a Camargue-style studio, with bulls, horses and pink flamingos.
The studios have a pool reserved for these studios and a tennis court. Pets are not accepted there, unlike at Mas Bois Fontaine.
Which to choose: glass roof, spa or themed studio?
It mostly depends on how you want to spend your evenings. Under a glass roof, you sit and watch the garden and the sky, with a wood burner or fireplace to warm the room. With a spa, the evening is spent outdoors in the garden. With a themed studio, the decor is the escape: you pick a country the way you would pick a destination.
Group size is another guide. L'Orangeraie suits two guests. La Rotonde and La Maison dans les Arbres (a house among the trees) take 2 to 4 guests, so you can come as four friends or as a family. The studios at La Madone du Mas are better suited to stays for a small group.
These are also proper holiday rentals, not just rooms made for photos: a kitchen or dining area, air conditioning and a private outdoor space make a stay of several nights easy. That is what separates a pleasant unusual place to stay from one that is merely original.
What is there to do around an unusual night in Nîmes?
A one-of-a-kind place to stay is best enjoyed with a few well-chosen outings:
- Roman Nîmes: the Nîmes Arena (Arènes), the UNESCO-listed Maison Carrée, the Jardins de la Fontaine and the Tour Magne, 15-20 minutes away.
- The Camargue, 30 minutes away, for horses and pink flamingos.
- Arles (30 minutes), Aigues-Mortes (35 minutes) and Avignon (45 minutes).
- The beaches of Grau-du-Roi and Espiguette, less than 40 minutes away.
For more ideas, see our article on day trips around Nîmes.
How long should you stay?
One night is enough to get a taste of the atmosphere, but these rentals are better for two or three nights. You can enjoy the garden, the glass roof or the spa without rushing, and leave room for sightseeing: Nîmes one day, the Camargue the next. For a longer stay, the fully equipped kitchen and washing machine in some rentals make daily life easier.
And where to eat?
The estate's guinguette (open-air bistro), La Maison MH, is open in the summer season. It serves home-cooked food from the Nîmes area, tapas and breakfasts, which must be booked the day before. Outside summer, the centre of Nîmes is 15-20 minutes away.
Which unusual place to stay should you choose?
- A bohemian loft under a glass roof: La Rotonde.
- A colourful rental for two, with a fireplace: L'Orangeraie.
- A private spa among the trees: La Maison dans les Arbres (a house among the trees).
- A trip around the world in a studio: La Madone du Mas.
The Mas rentals welcome pets for €20 per pet per stay, and give free access to the tennis court. Check-in is from 4 pm. See all our rentals, then check availability to book direct.
Frequently asked questions · Unusual places to stay near Nîmes
What is the most unusual place to stay near Nîmes?
La Rotonde, at Mas Bois Fontaine, is a former stone henhouse renovated in a bohemian chic style. It has a long glass roof, string lights and a wood burner, for 2 to 4 guests.
Can you sleep among the trees near Nîmes?
Yes, La Maison dans les Arbres (a house among the trees) sits among the trees, with a 360° view over a park and no one overlooking you. It has a private spa in its garden and sleeps 2 to 4 guests.
What is La Madone du Mas?
It is a second estate of studios, each decorated on the theme of a different country: Bali, Mexico, Ibiza, Greece, Marrakech and Camargue. The studios share a reserved pool and a tennis court.
Is an unusual place to stay in the Gard far from Nîmes?
No. The estate is in the Costières countryside, 15-20 minutes from the Nîmes Arena (Arènes). The Camargue and Arles are 30 minutes away, Aigues-Mortes 35 minutes.
Are pets welcome in these rentals?
Yes at Mas Bois Fontaine, where La Rotonde, L'Orangeraie and La Maison dans les Arbres welcome them for €20 per pet per stay. The studios at La Madone du Mas do not accept pets.
Can you eat on site?
The guinguette (open-air bistro) La Maison MH, on the estate, serves home-cooked food from the Nîmes area. It is open in the summer season.
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