Maison Sinclair

If you are looking for a holiday where you can experience Provençal village life and be close to the stunning countryside, then you need look no further than Maison Sinclair. With the amenities of Maussane Les Alpilles just a few paces from the house and plenty of other towns and villages within easy reach, this is the perfect base for a trip with family or friends.    The home is a historic building with exposed stone, original iron work and pretty window shutters. The owners have retained the period charm of the house while modernising the interiors to offer guests a relaxing place to stay. The villa is set over two floors; downstairs, there is an inviting living room with neutral décor, armchairs, a sofa and a home cinema system so you can spend an evening watching a film together. The contemporary kitchen has all the appliances you could need and leads into the dining room. As the doors to the dining room open out fully onto the garden, you can eat indoors yet enjoy the balmy evening temperatures as the sun goes down.    Eight guests can be accommodated comfortably at the house across four bedrooms. The first bedroom, which also boasts an en-suite bathroom, is located downstairs, ideal if you are travelling with anyone who struggles with the stairs. On the first floor, you will find the other three bedrooms; the master bedroom, a double bedroom and a room with bunk beds and toys for the kids.    Though the villa is located in the centre of a thriving village, there is a garden here which is quite rare! The garden is surrounded by fencing, which offers privacy to guests so you can unwind without being overlooked. Outdoors there are grassy areas, an ancient olive tree, benches, an al-fresco dining table and even a private pool. This garden has everything you could need.    As you leave the house, you only need to walk a few metres before you discover the closest shops and eateries. Maussane Les Alpilles has artisan shops, butchers, bakeries, cafés and restaurants. Whether you fancy traditional French cuisine or sushi for dinner, the range of cuisines available in the village is great, and you will find something everyone likes. Maussane Les Alpilles is a pleasant village that centres around the main square, Place Joseph Laugier; with its fountain, cobbles and floral displays, this is a lovely place to enjoy a meal or your morning coffee. From here, you can follow the narrow streets to see historic churches and a brilliant market held on a Thursday. Maussane Les Alpilles is best known for its olive oil and is one of France’s most influential producers; in the village, you can visit Moulin Jean-Marie Cornille to sample or purchase some world-class oils. If you enjoy cycling, there are countless routes from the village which go through olive groves, open countryside, and hundreds of little streams.    If you would like to see more of this area, the village of Paradou is just next door, less than 2km away. Les Baux de Provence is another beautiful place to visit and is just 4km away. A little further afield, you can also visit the town of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, which is 11km away. Features: Villa Interior (145 m²) Ground Floor - Living room with access to the garden, armchairs, sofa and TV - Dining room with bi-fold doors and table seating 8 guests - Fully- fitted kitchen with kitchen island, fridge freezer, oven, hob, dishwasher, microwave, toaster, coffee machine - Bedroom with double bed (160cm x 200cm) and en-suite bathroom with shower, sink and WC - Guest WC First Floor  - Master bedroom with double bed (160cm x 200cm) with dressing room and walk-in shower and double sink in room - Bedroom with double bed (140cm x 200cm) - Children’s bedroom with bunk bed (90cm x 90 cm) and children’s toys  - Bathroom with shower, sink and WC - Guest WC Outside Grounds (100m2) - Private pool (5m x 2m, depth: 1.4m) with salt filtration system and cover  - Fenced garden with lawn and olive tree - Pool side sun loungers - Al-fresco dining table - Barbecue  Facilities  - Wi-Fi  - Air conditioning - TV - Home cinema - Washing machine - Dryer - Iron and ironing board Location: Nestled at the foot of the Alpilles mountains, Maussane Les Alpilles is an attractive village packed with shops, restaurants and atmospheric streets. With everything you could need within easy reach, plus lots of other towns, villages and breathtaking countryside nearby, this is a fantastic place to stay to experience the wonders of Provence.    If you would like to take a relaxed approach to your holiday, enjoying lazy afternoons by the pool, walking through nearby woodlands and indulging in long brunches in the village squares, then you could spend your whole trip in the village and in the parkland which envelops it. Whether you prefer walking, cycling, climbing, bird watching or just picnics in the sun, there is plenty of wide-open space here with stunning views so you can spend time making memories with your favourite people in serene natural surroundings.    The village has a great range of cafés and restaurants, from family-run cafés to fine-dining eateries and wine bars. The area is known for its olive oil production, so make sure you sample some of this delicious local produce at one of the olive oil shops or the Thursday market. As well as brilliant amenities, the village is a lovely place to wander around in the afternoon where you can visit some historic churches such as the 18th century Sainte-Croix church or the centuries-old washhouses which still stand. There is a great sense of community, so lots is going on in the summer months, such as village fetes and saints’ days, where the community come together for meals and festivities in the streets. A highlight is the Le Temps Retrouvé Festival, a historical re-enactment event with parades and fantastic costumes.    There is another village called Paradou a mere 2km away from the villa which can could be reached on foot if you like to walk. This village is a tranquil place steeped in history and was originally settled over 2000 years ago by the Romans, though much of what can be seen is medieval. Here you can visit the remains of the imposing 12th-century castle, which once protected the area from invading armies or just visit this sleepy village for a meal and to look around the shops.    4km away, you can explore one of France’s most beautiful villages, Les Baux de Provence. The village sits on a dramatic outcrop 250 metres high and offers amazing views of the valleys and farmland below. One of the must-visit attractions is the Carrieres de Lumieres, an art exhibition held in a disused limestone quarry where you can walk around projections of artworks by artists such as Monet in a gorgeous setting. At the top of the hill, the other must-visit attraction is the staggering castle which was mostly destroyed after a 17th-century revolt. However, visitors can still see the dungeons, towers and incredible weapons as well as exhibitions in the towers. After a busy morning of sightseeing, you will find lots of little cafés in the village square for a tasty lunch.    As well as these idyllic villages, there are also larger towns and cities that you can reach by car. Saint-Rémy-de-Provence is a fabulous place to visit if you are interested in art and is 11km away, while Avignon is packed with UNESCO world heritage sites and is a 38km drive away. Terms & Conditions: ? €2000 charged to client’s credit card before arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection. 4.00 p.m. 10.00 a.m. Yes. Yes, changed weekly for stays of 14 nights or more. On request only and with prior agreement with the owner. Weddings, stag/hen parties and any special events are not allowed. Please note that published rates are only valid for the current year. Any bookings for subsequent years will be on request only and correct rates will be confirmed at the time of booking. Please note that your booking will only be confirmed once we have checked availability with the owner or their property manager. Saturday. All other changeover days on request. Yes. However, guests are required to leave the accommodation clean, tidy and in the same condition as on their arrival. Any extra cleaning, laundry, maintenance and/or rubbish disposal required will be charged against the security deposit. Outside only. Guests are required to be in possession of a valid insurance policy, which covers them for civil liability as well as cancellations, personal belongings, public liability and any accidental damage caused during their stay. A copy of this policy may be requested by the owner before arrival. 7 nights. All other durations on request. Included between May and October. Please note that like all heated pools, pool heating and water temperature are reliant on weather and outside temperatures. French Visitors Tax payable locally in cash (typically costs €1-€10 per adult per night - please enquire if exact amount is required). Yes, changed weekly for stays of 14 nights or more. Please note that pool opening dates are subject to local weather conditions and pool maintenance requirements and that cooler months may not be suitable for swimming.