An inspiration for artists over the centuries and a hub for foodies, Provence is a wonderful place to visit for your summer break. With the sandy beaches of the coast to one side and staggering mountainous countryside to the other, Provence is an area which has it all. Maison De La Lavande is a great base for exploring this rich and diverse region and lies in a rural setting just 11km away from the city of Aix-en-Provence.
On your way to the villa, you will pass the Sainte Victoire Mountain and a dense woodland which spans 80 hectares. Though you are close to the city, your surroundings offer places to relax, so that you can truly unwind and focus on making memories with your loved ones. As you approach the house, you will see the pretty, pastel-hued farmhouse with shuttered windows, overlooking a green and leafy garden.
The home is spread out over two floors and is packed with original features such as open-fireplaces, ceiling beams and terracotta floor tiles. The décor is modern, but in-keeping with the traditional feel of the house. The soft furnishings, art work and shelves lined with books all give a welcoming feel to the villa and give it a real lived-in feel, rather than that of a sparse holiday letting.
The heart of the home is the living room where sofas and armchairs are gathered around a cosy fireplace for those holidaying in the winter months. This is a lovely space for curling up with a good book or watching a film together in the evenings. Just next door is the fully-fitted country style kitchen. The sage coloured units are brimming with all of the gadgets, crockery and appliances you need for preparing breakfast for your group, unless you would prefer to take a complete break and book a private chef for your trip! Your meals can be taken in the dining space which opens out on to the patio, or at one of the many outdoor tables.
There are four bedrooms available at Maison De La Lavande, meaning the house can sleep up to eight guests. Two of the rooms are on the ground floor and two are on the first floor. Each of the rooms is uniquely decorated with their own colour palettes, though all of them have comfortable beds, en-suite bathrooms and views over the grounds.
If the weather is fine, you may wish to spend much of your time outdoors. The garden here is one of the selling points of the house and is a vast space filled with towering trees, lawns and beds filled with flowers. Dotted around the garden there are various dining spaces, outdoor sofas and sun loungers for you to relax on. The garden also offers a covered al-fresco living space and a fantastic private swimming pool where you can swim and take in the country views.
Just a short walk away from the home, guests will find themselves in an expansive and ancient forest which is the ideal spot for a shaded afternoon walk or picnic. You also have the Etoile Mountain range close by for those who like a challenging climb or a lengthy hike. If you prefer something a little less taxing, you could pay a visit to one of the many family-owned vineyards and wineries which produce the region’s delicious wines. As well as exploring Provence’s interior, guests can visit the coastline with ease as the nearest beaches are close to Marseilles, around 38km away by car.
When it comes to shopping and sightseeing, you could visit smaller villages such as Puyricard which is just 6km away or spend your days soaking in the art and culture of Aix-en-Provence, a gorgeous city which is an 11km drive away.
Features:
Villa Interior
Ground Floor
- Living room with sofas, armchair, fireplace, TV and bookshelves
- Fully-fitted kitchen with oven, gas hob, American fridge freezer, dishwasher, microwave, toaster, kettle and coffee maker
- Dining room with patio access and dining table seating 6
- Bedroom with king-sized double-bed and en-suite bathroom with shower and sink
- Bedroom with queen-sized double-bed and en-suite bathroom with shower and sink
- Laundry room
- 2 x WC
First Floor
- Bedroom with king-sized double-bed or two single beds, office space and en-suite bathroom with bath, sink and WC
- Bedroom with king-sized double-bed or two single beds and en-suite bathroom with sink and WC
Outside Grounds
- 1 hectare of private grounds and fragrant gardens - Private swimming pool with alarms and barrier (15m x 15m, 1.3- 2.2m deep) - Lawns and established trees - Covered dining terrace - Outdoor sofas - Sun loungers and chairs - Parking
Facilities
- Wi-Fi
- Flatscreen TV
- Fireplaces
- Washing machine
- Dryer
- Iron and ironing board
- Hairdryers
Location:
It is hard to imagine a better base for exploring the towns and countryside of Provence, than a traditional bastide style farmhouse. Wrapped in a hectare of private grounds and fields, with an 80-hectare woodland just a stone’s throw away, Maison De Le Lavande is an excellent choice for those searching for a South of France escape.
Nature-lovers will be at home here as the surrounding grounds, pasture-land and ancient forests are lovely spots for a walk or a bike ride. You can also pick up some fresh bread and cheeses from the local village and enjoy a scenic picnic in complete solitude, the perfect tonic for those who live a busy life back home. Close to the house, you are also able to book tours and tastings at a number of vineyards. One option is the beautiful Château de Beaupré which is 8km away.
Other than the undulating countryside, Provence is also known for its quintessentially French villages which are packed with charm, character and delicious cuisine. One of the nearest villages to the home is Puyricard which is 6km away. Puyricard is popular as it is a pretty, rural village within easy reach of the town of Aix-en-Provence. As you wander around the well-preserved medieval streets, you can find shops, a bar, restaurants and family-run patisseries such as Le Puy d’Amour which is known for its sweet treats. The village is also known for its bustling Friday market where you can pick up lunch from the stalls which spill in to the streets. Chocolate-lovers will be thrilled to learn that Puyricard is home to a fantastic chocolate factory! You can visit on a tour, take part in chocolate-making classes or just pick up some chocolates for yourself in the shop.
Though the area is filled with little villages, you may spend much of your time in the delightful city of Aix-en-Provence which is 11km away by car. A lively university city, with an elegant historic centre combining medieval and Baroque architecture, Aix-en-Provence is a city with something for everyone. The picturesque streets are an endless maze of galleries, museums, churches and historic villas, where you can simply wander all day and take in your surroundings. A great day in Aix-en-Provence should begin with a lazy brunch in a café overlooking a fountain-lined square, before visiting some of the cultural attractions such as the museums and atelier dedicated to the artist Paul Cézanne who once lived and worked here.
Though your villa is set inland, you do not have far to drive if you wish to spend the day at the beach. The stunning, port city of Marseilles is just 40km away and is surrounded by beaches! For a quieter sandy bay, head a few miles up the coast to Plage de la Lave beach, before heading in to the city centre to browse the shops and grab dinner in one of the many restaurants before you head back to the villa.
Terms & Conditions:
?
€4500 charged to client’s credit card as a pre-authorisation at least 2 weeks prior to arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection.
5.00 p.m.
10.00 a.m.
Yes.
Yes.
On request only and with prior agreement with the owner.
Weddings, stag/hen parties and any special events are not allowed.
Please note that your booking will only be confirmed once we have checked availability with the owner or their property manager.
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.
The interior staircase is unsuitable for young children; therefore the owners recommend only children over the age of six should stay here.
Saturday. All other changeover days on request.
Extra €250, paid locally. 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 garbage disposal required will be charged against the security deposit.
Not allowed.
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-€10 per adult per night- please enquire if exact amount is required).
Yes.
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.