If you are looking for a holiday in rural, authentic Provence where you can enjoy a spot of wild swimming, Les Roches Blanches might well be the taste of paradise you are looking for. Set in five hectares of magnificent grounds and only a few kilometres from the centre of St-Rémy-de-Provence, it nestles at the foot of the region’s white rocks with magnificent views over the small mountains of Les Alpilles.
This is a home with a successful and bewitching combination of the traditional and contemporary where the walls hold many stories from the past. Les Roches Blanches might be a rustic retreat but it has modern facilities and is ideal for the holidaymaker who enjoys a combination of character and comfort. There is a sleek, well equipped, high ceilinged kitchen-diner and a separate lounge designed for relaxation with stone fireplace and wooden ceiling. For that extra bit of space and privacy, the four en suite double bedrooms are fascinatingly accessed by their own terraces, two of which are south facing with the remaining pair enjoying magical sunsets.
Walk into the seemingly never ending gardens and know that you are in Provence as you catch the scent of lavender and thyme on the warm breeze, absorb the colour of the oleanders or enjoy the natural setting of the seating and dining areas amongst the iconic olive and cypress trees. Play a game of pétanque beneath the fragrant pines or wander down the soft grassy path and take a dip in the magical natural bathing area at the foot of Les Alpilles. Pick some produce for dinner from the organic vegetable plot or treat yourselves to the in house catering, one of the additional services on offer here.
St-Rémy-de-Provence has a beautiful historic centre with winding streets, private mansions, chapels, shaded squares with fountains, a famous Wednesday market and plenty of shops, cafés and restaurants to entice you into enjoying the Provençal way of life. Van Gogh stayed here in the Monastery of Saint-Paul de Mausole, which inspired so many of his famous paintings and the town still has many resident artists. From here there are many opportunities for day trips, starting with the neighbouring historic cities of Arles and Avignon.
Les Alpilles offer many outdoor activities as well as having some exquisite hill villages such as Les Baux or Mausanne. Further afield are the delights of the Camargue with its white horses, black bulls, sea ponds and sandy beaches.
Features:
Villa Interiors
Ground Floor
- Entrance with guest WC
- Lounge with stone fireplace
- Kitchen-diner, well-equipped including electric oven, induction hob, dishwasher and microwave
- Laundry room
- Bedroom (accessed via terrace) with double bed (180x200cm, can be split into twins), south-facing terrace and shower room with Italian shower
- Bedroom (accessed via terrace) with double bed (200x200cm), lounge area, shower room with double shower with hammam feature, sink and separate WC
First Floor
- Bedroom (accessed via terrace) with double bed (180x200cm), terrace and shower room with Italian shower, sink and separate WC
- Bedroom (accessed via terrace) with double bed (180x200cm, can be split into twins), south terrace and shower room with shower and sink
Outside Grounds
- Natural ‘bassin’ (250m2) with swimming area (12x6m), with fencing
- Normadic pool house
- Al-fresco dining and lounge areas
- Gas barbecue
- Electric Plancha
- Vegetable garden
- Pétanque court
- Games for children
- Vast grounds (5 hectares)
- Large parking area
- Electric gate with video-phone
Facilities
- Wi-Fi
- Air-conditioning
- TV and home cinema
- Table tennis
- Washing machine and dryer
- Iron and ironing board
Location:
Les Roches Blanches is in a rural location four kilometres from the centre of St-Rémy-de-Provence, majestically set in the northern part of Les Alpilles in Provence, southern France. It is within easy reach of Avignon TGV railway station and just over an hour’s drive from Marseille Provence Airport.
St-Rémy-de-Provence has a charming historic centre with winding streets, historic mansions, chapels, fountained squares, shops and plenty of cafés and restaurants enabling you to participate in the relaxed Provençal way of life. The artist Vincent Van Gogh painted his “Starry Night” here and many contemporary artists are still inspired by the town’s light and colour.
While you are here, visit the ancient Roman site of Glanum and the beautiful Monastery of St-Paul de Mausole where Van Gogh was a patient and created so many of his paintings.
Les Alpilles Natural Park is another great place for families with rock climbing, horse riding, hiking and mountain biking along its many trails. It has idyllic villages such as exquisite Les-Baux-de-Provence, an 11km drive from your holiday home. It is one of France’s Plus Beaux Villages, a medieval village perched on a rocky plateau from which there are some wonderful views of Arles, the Camargue and Les Alpilles.
From Les-Baux, take the short drive southwards to Mausanne-les-Alpilles, a pleasant village surrounded by huge olive plantations and superb countryside. It is one of France’s most important places for producing olive oil - try some on a piece of fresh bread or a slice of goat’s cheese.
Don’t miss the 40-minute drive northwards to the lively city of Avignon which is fascinating to explore on foot. The world famous Pont d’Avignon has pretty views of the city and the Pope’s Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
You may prefer to head towards Arles (27km), well known for its fine architecture and Roman remains. There are many good restaurants to choose from but it’s a special experience to dine beneath the plane trees in Place du Forum where Van Gogh once sat with his easel to paint “Café Terrace at Night”.
Arles is a stepping stone to the glorious Camargue which covers 900 square kilometres of land and offers opportunities for horse-riding, walking, quad biking and jeep tours. Here you will find those mythical wild white horses, black bulls, pink flamingos, lagoons, and red salt-pans reaching out towards the Mediterranean.
Terms & Conditions:
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€5000 charged to client’s credit card before arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection.
5.00 p.m. Late arrivals after 9.00 p.m. may be charged a late arrival fee of €120.
10.00 a.m.
Yes.
Yes. Mid-stay change included for stays of 2 weeks 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.
The "swimming pool" is a natural bassin/pond (250m2) with a 12x6m area suitable for swimming.
Flexible.
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.
Visitors Tax payable to Property Manager at the time of balance payment (typically costs €1-€10 per adult per night - please enquire if exact amount is required).
Yes.