Le Bassin Turquoise

Spend joyful summer holidays with loved ones at this inviting Provençal home surrounded by wonderful gardens and woodland, only 3km from one of France’s ’Plus Beaux Villages’, Les Baux-de-Provence. Le Bassin Turquoise is an authentic abode which will appeal to guests looking for charm, space and glorious surroundings in the heart of Les Alpilles Regional Nature Park. Inside, the lounge and dining space opens straight out to the south-facing terrace with ample room for outdoor living overlooking the lovely lawn and olive trees. A little path leads to a gorgeous swimming pool surrounded by terracotta pots filled with summer colour, plenty of sun-loungers and a superb pool house and barbecue. On the ground floor the four double bedrooms are simply styled with characterful touches, two of them opening up to the main terrace, whilst upstairs an air-conditioned master double has its own little patio just perfect for a glass of Côtes de Provence looking out over the pretty tiled roofs. Stroll through the garden and discover the sixth bedroom in the little wooden cabin, perhaps the perfect hideout for an adventurous teen for a night or two. Indeed, families are welcomed here with lots for every age from the play area outside with its slide, swing and trampoline to the cool converted garage where you will find the games rooms of dreams with a pinball machine, drums, table football, juke box and one of two billiard tables. Wander around the shady woodland with towering pines, soak up the sense of wilderness and tranquillity around you. Find a wooden bench for a moment of peace or gather with friends in one of the many areas designed for al-fresco relaxation and summer lounging. Not too far away is the glorious hilltop village of Les Baux-de-Provence – visit first thing before visitors flock from across the region to discover its beauty and charm. A little further, Maussane-les-Alpilles is another picture-perfect village ideal for lunch in one of its excellent restaurants or drive up to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence with its weekly market, art galleries as well as bistros and see where Van Gogh spent his final days. Discover the landscapes that inspired Van Gogh whether exploring on bike, foot or horse-back and come across idyllic olive groves, vineyards, endless pine forests and pretty old villages. Then there’s Arles and Avignon to consider or even the mesmerising scenery of the Luberon in this fascinating and breathtakingly beautiful part of southern France. Features: Villa Interiors Ground Floor (split-level)-    Entrance with office corner-    Large living-dining area with fireplace and piano  -    Open-plan library/billiards room-    Kitchen, fully-equipped with dishwasher, electric oven, induction hob, microwave and fridge-freezer. Doors lead to south-facing terrace-    Cellar (with WC)-    Laundry room-    Games room (converted garage) with billiards, drums, table football, pinball machine, juke box and slot machine -    Bedroom with double bed (160cm) and doors leading to south-facing terrace-    Bedroom with double bed (160cm)-    Bedroom with double bed (160cm) and doors leading to south-facing terrace-    Bedroom with double bed (160cm)-    Shower room -    Bathroom with two sinks -    Separate WCTwo of the ground floor bedrooms are air-conditioned First Floor-    Bedroom suite with air-conditioning, double bed (200cm), terrace, bathroom with spa-bath/shower and separate WCSeparate Cabin (at end of garden)-    Bedroom (around 15m2) with double bed (140cm)Outside Grounds-    Swimming pool (100m2, depth: up to 1.8m including plage area) with safety alarm and enclosure-    Pool house with summer kitchen (fridge, freezer, hotplate, microwave, dishwasher), WC and outdoor shower -    Gas barbecue -    South-facing terrace with al-fresco dining and lounging areas -    West-facing terrace -    Play area with swing, trampoline, plastic slide -    Petanque pitch -    Well -    Gardens/grounds including woodland (2 hectares)-    Private parking Facilities -    Wi-Fi-    Air-conditioning (three bedrooms only)-    TV and DVD player-    Hi-Fi system-    Table football-    Billiards-    Drums -    Juke box/pinball/slot machine -    Outside play area -    Washing machine-    Dryer-    Ironing facilities Location: Le Bassin Turquoise is set in two hectares of gardens and woodland, otherwise surrounded by hilly landscapes so typical of Les Alpilles Regional Nature Park, only 3km from Les Baux-de-Provence, one of France’s classified ’Plus Beaux Villages’. As you explore the Vallée des Baux you are surrounded by endless olive groves, hilly pine forests and picture-perfect old villages so typical of Provence. Les Baux-de-Provence, just 3km by car, is certainly one of the most loved hilltop villages of this region and is visited by tourists from across the area who come to discover its historic charm and visit the impressive fortified château. Explore Baux’s narrow lanes coming across picturesque squares, little shops and admire tremendous valley views from its perched position. There are some wonderful walking trails around the village and beyond as well as opportunities to visit olive farms to sample the excellent oil produced in this area and other regional delights. Les Alpilles also offers fantastic opportunities for cycling, hiking, mountain biking and horse-riding. Maussane-les-Alpilles, about 5km away, is a lovely place to go for lunch in one of the village restaurants whether you fancy a pizza in a relaxed setting or choose to dine in a Michelin starred establishment. Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, 10km heading north, also has a fine reputation for its cuisine with a number of bistros alongside art galleries, a Van Gogh trail and a vibrant weekly market on a Wednesday morning. As well as discovering other idyllic villages across Les Alpilles, another great day out is the historic city of Avignon (30km), home of two UNESCO World Heritage sites (the Palais des Papes and Le Pont d’Avignon) as well as great markets, atmospheric wine-bars and yet more excellent restaurants. Van Gogh’s beloved Arles is also just half an hour by car or head west towards Nîmes (47km) with its world-famous Roman sites. If you have time, drive across to the mesmerising Luberon villages to visit the most stunning hilltop villages such as Gordes, Ménerbes and Roussillon. This region is a mecca for rock-climbers, especially around Buoux, and of course there are endless walks, cycle trails and plenty of vineyards for wine-tasting. Terms & Conditions: ? €4000 charged to client’s credit card before 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. The sixth bedroom is found in a cabin at the end of the garden – do note there is no bathroom here so best suited for adventurous teens or similar. Air-conditioning is only featured in two ground floor bedrooms and the top-floor double. 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. Weddings, stag/hen parties and other celebrations are not permitted. Saturday. 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 garbage 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. Extra cost, payable locally. French Visitors Tax payable locally in cash (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.