Maison Armantine

Maison Armantine sits amidst the green fields of rural Provence, close to charming historic villages, forests and the Alpilles mountains. Sleeping up to ten guests across five comfortable bedrooms, this home is ideal for those travelling with a group of friends or extended family.    As you approach the house, you will see an authentic farmhouse-style home surrounded by tall oak trees and pretty pergolas. Indoors the house is spread over two levels; downstairs, there is a vast open-plan living and dining room with a feature fireplace, cosy sofas and a dining table for evening meals. You can also find a shelf packed with books and board games in this room. The kitchen is contemporary and has everything you need for preparing family meals and your morning coffee to enjoy on the terrace.  When you wish to retire for the evening, five double bedrooms boast period beams, crisp linen and views over the garden. If any of your party has reduced mobility or just wishes for a little peace and quiet, then the downstairs bedroom is ideal.    On top of being welcoming and decorated to a high standard, the home also offers all of the modern conveniences you could require for a relaxing stay. In some bedrooms, there is a TV and air conditioning, and there is also a handy laundry room.   Outdoors the excellent facilities continue, and on the grounds spanning a hectare, you will find a boules court, tennis court, ping pong table, and a private pool! The garden is a tree-filled oasis with fragrant planting, lawns and plenty of space for dining al-fresco on a balmy evening.    Though the home is rurally located near farmland, you do not need to travel far to reach the nearest village. Eygalières is just 5km away and has a range of shops, cafés, restaurants, and a bustling market every Friday. The village is a picturesque place which enjoys equally beautiful views over the valleys and olive groves which envelop it. In addition to eateries and amenities, Eygalières has a wealth of cultural attractions, including ancient hillside chapels, a 17th-century belltower and a statue of the Virgin Mary, which looks down upon the village. One of the key attractions is the Chappelle Saint Sixte which lies 1km outside the centre. The church, located on a rocky outcrop, was built in the 12th century as part of a pilgrim trail still in use today.  Features: Villa Interior (350 m²) Ground Floor - Open-plan living space with garden access, sofas, TV, bookshelves, fireplace and dining table seating 8 guests - Fully-fitted kitchen with oven, hob, fridge freezer, dishwasher, coffee machine - Bedroom with double bed and en-suite shower room with shower, sink and WC - Furnished conservatory - Laundry room - 2 x Guest WCs First Floor - 4 x bedrooms with double beds - Bathroom with bath tub, shower, sink and WC - Guest WC Outside Grounds - Private swimming pool (10m x 5m, depth: 0.8-1.8m) with alarm system - Landscaped garden and wooded land covering 1 hectare - Al-fresco dining area - Outdoor seating - Covered pergola - Poolside sun loungers and parasols - Tennis court - Boules court - Table tennis - Hanging chair - Barbecue and grill - Parking Facilities  - Wi-Fi  – Air-conditioning in 2 bedrooms - TV - Washing machine - Books and board games Location: This lovely stone home is located just 5km away from the closest village and is surrounded by lush farmland and expansive natural parkland. Whether you are heading to Provence for an active break, hiking and cycling the countless hillside trails, or you would rather enjoy a spot of shopping followed by a lazy lunch, there is something for everyone in this beautiful, diverse part of France.    Eygalières is where you will find the nearest amenities, and it is just 5km away from the villa. This lovely village is steeped in history and has been inhabited since the Bronze age. Though the oldest parts of the village are now in ruins, you will still see the bell tower hailing from the 1600s, pretty churches and old bathhouses. The village is small and built around one main street, but you will find a great selection of restaurants here, plus shops, cafés, and bakeries to pick up fresh pastries in the morning. If you visit in August, join in with the Fête de la St Laurent’s festivities, the local saint’s annual festival. Tables fill the streets, and the residents enjoy communal meals, live music, horse shows and fairground rides. Eygalières is also a hub for cyclists who can enjoy pleasant trails around the village and out into the countryside.    This region has scenic parks, forests and even a mountain range. To experience these, you can visit the Regional Park of the Alpilles, which has recently become a protected area to preserve wildlife and the natural landscape. The park is perfect for bike rides, leisurely walks and hiking the limestone mountains. There are over 250 species of bird found here for you to spot, so bring your binoculars. There are also vast olive growing areas within the park that produce fantastic olive oil you can sample locally.    As well as stunning natural spaces, Provence has an array of villages and towns you can explore. Saint-Étienne-du-Grès is 17km away and is a more modern village at around 100 years old. The village is an excellent place to do some shopping in the artisan shops and the thriving market, and the pretty, flower-filled streets are a wonderful setting for a meal. On the outskirts of the village, you will find rural homes, farms and vineyards. One place to visit is the stunning Domaine Dalmeran, a country chateau with landscaped gardens producing delicious local wine. Visit the chateau for a tour of the cellars and to taste the wines yourself; the owners often hold events on the grounds too.  Art lovers should make a trip to Les Baux-de-Provence, which is 17km away and is home to the Carrières de Lumières. This is a unique art exhibition held in a disused limestone quarry. Rather than being hung in frames, the artworks of celebrated artists such as Van Gogh and Monet are projected onto the rugged walls offering an immersive experience. Afterwards, you can walk up the hill to the heart of the village, where you can purchase handicrafts and locally produced artworks in quaint shops. This village is known as one of France’s most beautiful, and with restored historic buildings and staggering views of the surrounding landscape, it is easy to see why. Visit the castle’s ruins to learn more about the revolt in 1632, which led to the village being abandoned for centuries; today, visitors can still see the dungeons, catapults and towers. There are dozens of historical sites in this little village, so there is plenty to see and do and a fabulous range of family-owned eateries to visit for a delicious meal after all the walking.    If you would like to spend the day in a busy city, then visit Avignon, which is 32km away. Avignon has a wide range of museums, galleries, shops and restaurants but is best known as the papacy’s former home. In Avignon, you can explore 25 rooms of the world’s largest gothic palace where the popes once lived. Terms & Conditions: ? €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, 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 and 6 hours mid-stay cleaning included. 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. French Visitors Tax payable locally (typically costs €1-€5 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.