La Villa Provencale

The villa

Close to the idyllic Luberon village of Ménerbes, La Villa Provençale is all about comfortable living in rustic surroundings, set in an acre of land with a lovely swimming pool.

Formerly a Provençal farmhouse, this villa has been renovated to seamlessly blend contemporary interiors with a handful of original features. The kitchen - diner is perfectly modern, with sliding doors opening up to the pretty pergola whilst exposed wood beams remind you of the farmhouse’s past. There are four bedrooms with space for up to 8 guests whether staying in one of the three doubles, two of which are en suite, or the simple but sweet twin, best suited to children.

Enjoy al - fresco meals in the shade of the pergola or prepare barbecue feasts on the terrace. The heated swimming pool is great for lazy days in the garden, surrounded by south - facing lawns and grassland. It’s a pretty setting with a relaxed vibe, ideal for a holiday in Provence with family or a small group of friends.

Just 3km away is the hilltop village of Ménerbes, an absolutely delightful place with narrow lanes and charming cafes, restaurants and shops. Soak up the ambience at the Farmer’s market on a Thursday morning - food lovers also note the fantastic Provençal markets in nearby Coustellet, Apt and Cavaillon (as well as many other villages and towns across the Luberon).

Visit the lavender fields near Gordes, one of France’s ‘ Plus Beaux Villages ’ and cycle or hike through landscapes of vineyards, summer sunflowers, orchards and olive groves - no wonder the likes of Cézanne and Van Gogh were so inspired by this scenery.

Then there’s the archetypal perched villages of Roussillon, Lacoste and Bonnieux amongst others as well as incredibly beautiful towns and cities within an hour including Avignon and Aix - en - Provence for the perfect day out.

La Villa Provençale is set in the heart of the Luberon National Park in a great location for exploring many of the idyllic landscapes and perched villages of this glorious region.

Set just off a country road, it is just 3km by car to reach hilltop Ménerbes, a picturesque village where Frances Mayes’ wrote his famous book ‘A Year in Provence’. Explore its narrow, steep lanes and come across charming cafes, restaurants and little shops. The Thursday morning Farmer’s market is delightful whilst music - lovers should check to see if there are any classical concerts taking place during their stay.

Other great villages to visit include the beautifully restored medieval village of Lacoste, only 7km away, and Coustellet (9km) home to one of the best Farmer’s markets in Provence on a Sunday morning. The lavender fields around Gordes (10km) are also a must, as are the idyllic hilltop villages of Bonnieux, Roussillon and Oppède. Food lovers will also appreciate the fantastic twice - weekly Provençal market in Apt (18km) which is especially impressive on a Saturday morning.

Then there’s some incredible hiking trails, such as the 3hr circular walk between Bonnieux and Lacoste, passing vineyards, little farms and woodland or the more challenging Gorges de Regalon to the south. Cycling is also popular both on and off - road with various circuits including La Véloroute du Calavon following the old railway line close to nearby Les Beaumettes.

Of course, the Provençal towns and cities of Avignon (40km), Aix - en - Provence (62km) and Saint - Rémy (38km) are close enough for wonderful days. Spend time admiring the gorgeous scenery of Les Alpilles, perhaps visiting some of the area’s pretty medieval villages such as Eygalières and Les Baux - de - Provence, both under an hour away. Cavaillon is another interesting town to visit, especially in the summer when melons are in season!