Maison Goyavier

Enjoy a taste of the Provençal way of life in this pretty villa close to the centre of a pleasant village which nestles at the foot of the wonderful Les Alpilles Natural Park.   Air-conditioned Maison Goyavier comfortably sleeps eight guests and has many pleasing design features such as expansive and attractive large doors and windows which invite that special Provençal light into your holiday home. On the ground floor, there is a breakfast table in the well equipped kitchen near the stylish lounge and dining area where the wide doors open onto the south facing terrace, perfect for those al-fresco barbecues. The lucky occupants of the en suite bedroom on this level are sure to enjoy their own door to the garden. Make your way up the strikingly artistic staircase to the remaining comfortable three en suite doubles, two of which can be changed into twins providing flexibility for groups of families and friends. Mature pine trees line one end of the charming garden which is so typical of the area with its variety of  Mediterranean shrubs as well as a fragrant herb garden next to the sparkling pool - at the side of the house, you’ll find an area to test your boules skills. It’s only a short walk from Maison Goyavier to find a café and a cool drink waiting for you in the plane tree shaded village square. Watch the artists at work, then check out a variety of shops, taste some of the region’s olive oil or buy some delicious local food and wine at the weekly market. Les Alpilles offer the opportunity for many family-friendly outdoor activities as well as the chance to book a wine tour or visit some of the area’s historic towns and idyllic hill villages such as Les Baux-de-Provence and Eygalières. The artistic and vibrant town of St-Rémy-de-Provence has a historic centre with shady squares, refreshing fountains, a renowned Wednesday morning market, shops, cafés and high-end restaurants. The town inspired many of the famous paintings of Vincent Van Gogh and still has many resident artists who exhibit in the town galleries. There are ample opportunities for day trips from Maison Goyavier, maybe starting with the historic cities of Avignon and Arles. Further afield you are bound to be enticed by the wildness and beauty of the Camargue with its iconic white horses and pink flamingos as well as lagoons and sandy beaches. Features: Maison Interiors (175m2) Ground Floor -    Open plan lounge and dining area with doors leading to terrace -    Kitchen, well-equipped -    Bedroom with double bed (180cm) and shower room with WC -    Guest WC -    Laundry room First Floor -    Bedroom with double bed (180cm) and bathroom with separate WC -    Bedroom with double bed (180cm, can be made as twin) and shower room -    Bedroom with double bed (180cm, can be made as twin) and shower room -    WC Outside Grounds -    Heated swimming pool (7.5x4m, depth: 1.4m), pool heating included from approximately May to September and available on request at an additional cost in April and October -    Sun loungers -    Al-fresco dining terrace   -    Gas barbecue -    Boules (to side of villa) Facilities -    Wi-Fi -    Air-conditioning -    TV -    Hairdryers -    Washing machine -    Dryer -    Wine Cellar -    Indoor parking for 3 cars Location: Maison Goyavier is situated in a residential area near the centre of a pleasant village, south of Les Baux-de-Provence and on the edge of Les Alpilles in the Bouches-du-Rhône department of southern France. It is within easy reach of Avignon TGV railway station and less than an hour’s drive from Marseille Provence Airport. In the foothills of Les Alpilles, the village is enveloped by far reaching olive groves and some glorious landscapes. There are a good selection of shops and restaurants as well as a weekly market where you can try out the region’s fine olive oil harvested from La Vallée des Baux as well as some local jams and honey. Les Alpilles Natural Park is a great place for families offering rock climbing, horse riding, hiking and mountain biking along its many trails. It will be difficult to choose which idyllic village to visit first  - begin with nearby medieval Les Baux-de-Provence (5km), one of France’s ’Plus Beaux Villages’, perched on a rocky plateau from where you can admire the views of Arles, the Camargue and the small mountain range of Les Alpilles. North of Les Baux is vibrant Saint-Rémy-de-Provence (10km) where fountained squares, shops and plenty of cafés and excellent restaurants make it easy to relax into the Provençal way of life. The town was much loved by Vincent Van Gogh who painted many of his masterpieces here. Fontvieille lies quaintly to the west at the foot of the mountains and is renowned for its windmills and gastronomic tasting events. It is worth taking the longer drive eastwards to tranquil Eygalières, often considered one of the most beautiful villages in the region. Don’t miss the historic city of Avignon (35km) with its world famous nursery rhyme bridge and the Pope’s Palace, both UNESCO World Heritage sites. It is a shorter drive westwards towards Arles (18km) to see its fine architecture and Roman remains – it is an unforgettable experience to lunch beneath the plane trees in Place du Forum where Van Gogh once painted “Café Terrace at Night”.   Arles is just a steppingstone to the amazing Camargue with its iconic wild white horses, black bulls, pink flamingos and lagoons stretching out towards the Mediterranean.  Here you can go horse-riding, walking, quad biking, take a jeep tour and even visit one of its sandy beaches. Terms & Conditions: ? €4000 charged to client’s credit card as a pre-authorisation one month before arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection. 5.00 p.m. 10.00 a.m. Yes. Yes, changed once for stays of 14 nights or more. Small and medium sized dogs on request only and with prior agreement with the owner. If accepted, a pet supplement of €80 per pet will apply (payable locally). 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. Weddings, stag/hen parties and any special events are not allowed. 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. Limit of 10 hours - if this is exceeded, an additional charge of €30/hour will apply. Any extra cleaning, laundry, maintenance and/or rubbish disposal required will be charged against the security deposit. An intermediate clean of 5 hours is compulsory at a cost of €130, payable locally. 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. Extra €100 per week from November to March, payable locally. Included from mid-April to end-September. Available on request during all other periods at an extra cost of €100 per week. French Visitors Tax payable locally (typically costs €1-€10 per adult per night- please enquire if exact amount is required). Yes, changed once for stays of 14 nights or more. Heated swimming pool from end of April to end of September. 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.