Villa Eclair

The villa

Just 30 minutes from Avignon sits Villa Eclair, a beautifully restored 17th - century coaching inn in the heart of Provence. Surrounded by scenic countryside with enchanting hilltop villages nearby, this calm country home is in the perfect position for discovering this stunning region. Oozing charm and personality, this is a quintessential Provençal house. Original features such as wooden beams, huge stone fireplaces and exposed brick walls combine with local materials and pastel hues to create a rustic and cosy feel throughout, especially in the large kitchen and two living rooms. With doors opening onto the garden allowing lavender - scented air to drift in, these rooms are ideal for keeping cool during the day or congregating in the evenings. Five delightful bedrooms all featuring en - suite bathrooms and south - facing views can comfortably accommodate 10 guests. One of these rooms includes the original blacksmith’s chimney from the house’s former life as a coaching inn, as well as a small single bed while a corner bedroom also features a day bed. Both these beds are suitable for a child and available on request for a supplement. Outside, there are nearly four acres of lawned gardens dotted with rosemary and lavender and apricot, cherry, fig, apple and plum trees. Spend sunny days relaxing in a deckchair or cooling off in the covered outdoor living area. A ping - pong table is sure to provide plenty of entertainment while the 17m swimming pool is large enough to swim laps or simply take a refreshing dip. The small town of Le Thor is just a 10 - minute drive from the villa. Here you can find a handful of restaurants and cafés as well as supermarkets, boulangeries and a stunning medieval chateau. There are some really scenic walks departing from Le Thor, including a trail up Thouzon Hill. Built on a network of canals, L’Isle - sur - la - Sorgue is a beautiful town that can be reached in just 20 minutes. Renowned for its antiques market, its flower - filled streets are also lined with with waterside cafés, restaurants and boutiques. Other towns nearby include Velleron, with its 17th - century castle, and Carpentras which boasts a lively street market. Brimming with medieval relics, both towns can be reached in under 20 minutes. Just 20km away sits the UNESCO World Heritage City of Avignon. It’s a fascinating and exciting place to stroll around and the Pope’s Palace and Saint Benezet Bridge in particular are worth a visit.

With lush countryside all around and some of Provence’s prettiest towns and villages nearby, Ville Eclair enjoys an idyllic location. Just a 10 - minute drive away, Le Thor boasts a medieval castle and 12th - century church as well as a great little selection of restaurants and cafés plus supermarkets and boulangeries for stocking up. There are also a variety of walking trails in the vicinity of Le Thor. The climb up Thouzon Hill is particularly scenic while the caves at its base are not to be missed. Known as the ‘Cave of Fairies’, the grotto features stalactites and stalagmites dating back 60 million years. Also nearby is the medieval town of Velleron, with its 17th - century Crillon castle and 14th - century Church of Saint Michel. An exceptional farmer’s market takes place during the week and on Saturday mornings and is extremely popular throughout the region. Other notable towns close by include the pretty town of L’Isle - sur - la - Sorgue and historic Carpentras. Built on a network of canals with ancient mills and quaint waterside cafés L’Isle - sur - la - Sorgue is a lovely place to explore and can be reached in 20 minutes. There’s also a popular antiques market held on Sundays. Carpentras also hosts a lively flea market with stalls selling delicious black truffles - a local delicacy. Just 16km away, the town is also home to also medieval sites including the Orange Gateway and 15th - century Saint Siffrein Cathedral. Châteauneuf - du - Pape, famous for its red wine, can be reached in 30 minutes, while Saint - Rémy - de - Provence, where famous painter Vincent Van Gogh once lived, is a 40 - minute car journey away. Vibrant and brimming with culture, Avignon is just 20km and once of the highlights of the region. Thanks to its historic centre and landmarks including the Pope’s Palace and Saint Benezet Bridge the city has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Spend the day wandering around the bohemian quarter by the River Sorgue and soaking up the atmosphere from the central Place de l’Horloge. Provence is a region that also offers incredible scenery and unspoilt landscapes. Less than an hour’s drive away, the vineyards, forests and ravines at the Alpilles Naturel Regional Park provide the chance to see some of the area’s outstanding natural beauty. Just 50km away, the lavender fields of Sault are also breathtakingly beautiful and perfect for taking photos during your holiday.