The Hôtel d'Alibert is located in the heart of the village of Caunes-Minervois, just a few meters from the Place de la Mairie. For its guests, it offers a large garage and 8 rooms of considerable diversity, whose often picturesque history deserves to be told by Frédéric GUIRAUD, the owner.
Each room has all the comforts you'd expect, and what a pleasure it is to stay in this vast house, over 5 centuries old, to climb the stone staircase and stroll through the gallery above the courtyard, where the curbstone of a four-poster well rises. Luxury here is all about calm, a kind of timelessness, the pleasure of not hurrying, the desire to stay...
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The Story
At the origin of the saga was the d'Alibert family, who provided the village with several viguiers. This was in the 15th and 16th centuries. From a trip to Italy, a certain Jean, abbot of Caunes, would have brought back in his luggage, like other Leonardo, an artist from Carrara who would have initiated the exploitation of the marble quarries and organized the construction of the mansion. This may well explain the building's Italian inspiration.
Take the time, as you walk from your room to the courtyard, to think about this as you gaze at the galleries adorned with medallions, the two spiral staircases, the beautiful stone vaults, then, climbing a few steps, go to the well and let its depth give rise to a musing on the passage of time.
Today, the Hôtel d'Alibert is run by Frédéric GUIRAUD. He is the most recent member of a family that acquired the house in 1912, the year his great-grandparents, Louise and Germain, moved into what was then one of the village's cafés-auberge. Jean and Paule, his parents, returned to Caunes in 1974 to carry out the renovation and refurbishment work that would shape the establishment's current configuration and affirm its status as a hotel.
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Frédéric began working alongside them in 1985, in the restaurant and hotel organization. Since 1986, he has taken charge of the entire business, developing his fine knowledge of solid and liquid foods. We understand that projects are still brewing and that the family is preparing the next step, as they say in the kitchen!
Access to Caunes-Minervois
Like the Hôtel d'Alibert, the village of Caunes bears some resemblance to a labyrinth. At least, that's what those who have lost their sense of direction in their urban overcrowding say.
Don't worry, the village is small and its ancient streets, some recently renovated and repaved, will only lead you astray if you want them to. Arm yourself with the official map and let yourself go down the slope, bearing in mind that afterwards you'll have to climb back up!
What to see? There are enough Caunes-Minervois Tourist Office guides, signs, symbols and arrows to answer all your questions. You won't miss a thing. But please, keep your eyes peeled upwards, even if your footsteps feel unsteady on the uneven, old-fashioned cobblestones.
Stay on the lookout! At any moment, at the corner of a small square, at the threshold of a house, a lively spirit may appear to meet you...
