What really sets this place apart are its hosts. Very friendly. More like staying with really nice friends than at a hotel!

Plus, the room was cosy and clean, the breakfasts tasty, and there was fast internet access. We had dinner with the hosts on the night we got there and enjoyed the conversation and 70's french music. Eric set us with local and area maps. On the last day, we had to leave at 5:30AM to catch a flight and Eric was thoughtful enough to prepare a thermos of coffee and cake on the night before.

Travelling by train in France during the transportation "interruptions" created a few eventful days. We were unable to travel the day we were to arrive at L'Aubergine Rouge and the next day, after a long troublesome journey, we arrived in Arles at 10:45 p.m. to a dark, deserted train station. After pulling luggage from the bus hold, I turned to see a young man holding a chalkboard with our names printed on it. Eric and Agusto had waited almost an hour for our bus as they knew the cabs in the town did not run at that time of the evening. Our luggage was placed in the trunk and we were chauffered to Eric's home and our accommodation on the ground floor. Once inside, Eric offered home made soup and fresh baked bread for the weary travellers. Eric's home was our home and made our stay in Arles very enjoyable. Our next travel day was also "interrupted" and we were advised we needed to catch a bus at 5:30 a.m. Remember, no cabs. Again, Eric to our rescue. Eric was ready to go at 5:10 a.m., (my request) and although we were early, as Eric said we would be, it gave us an opportunity to see a starry starry night where "starry starry night" was originally seen. Eric and Augusto, thank you.

L'Aubergine Rouge is such an amazing place, mostly because of Eric, who is truly the kindest, most hospitable host you could imagine. Upon arriving, we found the place after we saw a big welcome note on the front door - which not only showed us we had arrived at the right place, but also made us feel so welcome there. The place truly feels like a home away from home, with the warm decor of the room, and the newly remodeled bathroom within it - all designed and built with incredible attention to detail by Eric. After a long day walking through Arles, Eric invited us to have a cold drink (homemade hibiscus juice for me, and beer for the hubby) and cookies on the terrace. The house is incredible, with a strong resemblance to Gaudi's style of bringing inspiration from nature into the home.

Eric is a true food connoisseur, and after hearing we had 2 straight meals of quiche (which is what the touristy cafes like to serve), he walked with us 5 minutes to bring us to a restaurant he recommended to make sure we had a really great meal in Arles before we left. After discovering the waitress there didn't speak English, he stayed with us to translate the menu AND help us order. What I most appreciate about Eric is that he makes you feel like he has all of the time in the world for you, and so rather than go home after giving the waitress our order, he stayed and chatted with us for the entire meal (which ended at 11 pm), despite not having had dinner himself. Never during that time did he seem impatient, hungry, or ready to leave - he just truly seemed like a good friend enjoying good conversation.

In addition to providing a really comfortable bed and clean, cozy room, Eric has really shared with us the culture of not rushing through life, of savoring each moment, and really being present in the company of friends. Thank you, Eric, for an amazing stay in Arles that we will never forget!

The most comfortable bed ever. Eric, the owner, is a professional chef and makes a pretty damn good breakfast (in addition to being a fabulous host). We were fighting off a cold by the time we arrived in Arles, and Eric brought us wonderful honey tea every evening (we stayed 2 nights). That honey tea literally cured my cold.

The newly remodeled bath is spacious, beautiful with the nicest toilet paper ever (seriously, they smelled like roses)! But back to the bed. The bed was the most comfortable bed I slept in during our 2wk cycling tour of Provence. The bed linen was so nice I asked Eric where I could find a set for myself (alas, he doesn't know either). The room isn't spacious or small, just perfect really. I felt like we were staying in a warm little cocoon!

The location is perfect, within the walls of the city yet in a quiet and authentic residential neighborhood, and literally right around the corner from Arles' incredible Saturday farmer's market. Internet, long distance phone calls and AWESOME breakfast included!