In a small French village, at a small hotel, the Bermuda flag will fly high to celebrate Heritage Day.

But contrary to what you may think, the hotel isn't owned by a Bermudian and no Bermudians live there.

It will fly because of a chance meeting with a hotelier and a Bermudian couple dining in his restaurant.

Pam and Serge Leibowitch were staying at a bed and breakfast in Murs near Gordes in Provence when they were recommended to eat at Le Crillon.

Mr. Leibowitch said: "We were staying in a little B&B place and we asked the people where to go to eat and they told us to go there.

"So we went there and we had our meal and when we went to pay the bill, the guy came and we gave our credit card which he looked at and said 'you are from Bermuda'."

Mr. Leibowitch, executive pastry chef for Fairmont Hamilton Princess, said the owner of the hotel, Roger Sigrist, explained he was a flag collector and had just received a Bermuda flag in the mail.

"He said today's my birthday and you won't believe today I received a Bermuda flag and then I have two Bermudians here."

The chef said Mr. Sigrist left to get the flag to show the couple.

He then asked if there is a national holiday in Bermuda and the couple told him it was May 24.

"He said he would fly the Bermuda flag on that day at his hotel as he does for all national days for the flags he has in his collection," Mr. Leibowitch said.

Mr. Leibowitch said he and his wife Pam had no idea the restaurant collected flags and are were happy to know that the Bermuda flag would fly on Heritage Day.

Located in the centre of a small village in an old 15th Century house, Le Crillon has eight rooms. Its restaurant features the food of Provence.