Located in the foothills of the Alpilles Nature Reserve, this old farmhouse (mas) sits in five hectares of protected countryside. Part of a complex of buildings that also houses a small hotel, it stands alone as a boutique home rental.
A mas was traditionally self-sufficient, with room for the kitchen and animals on the ground floor and bedrooms above, producing its own fruits and vegetables, and even housing silkworms. While this farmhouse no longer houses animals (or silkworms), it retains much of the original charm of the mas.
Enter the home, and a large foyer leads to an expansive kitchen/dining area and lounge. A curved staircase sweeps upwards to the six bedrooms. The feel – with its tiled floors, wooden beams, old rugs and leather chairs – is a wonderful combination of cosy French country, elegant grandeur, and vintage cool.
The house has all the amenities of a hotel – TVs in each room, en-suite bathrooms, flip-flops and robes, breakfast, housekeeping – but the privacy of a private home. With its outdoor dining terrace and lavish pool area, it’s perfect for a large family or a group of friends.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
The house is air-conditioned, with a phone, safe and minibar stocked with still and sparkling water. All bedrooms are equipped with wifi, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom (shower or bathtub). Welcome products are by Nuxe and Une Olive en Provence. There are bathrobes, flip-flops and even straw hats. There is and additional studio space, a cinema and gym on the grounds, and even a food truck.
AROUND
The house is located within a large property, next to a boutique hotel. The hotel has a restaurant with a Provençal menu and a store selling local products, food, clothes, jewelry, art and books. The owners also offer six different cabriolets for rent: 2CVs, Mehari, Mercedes Pagode or Triumph.
Once you’re in your convertible, you can visit Le Paradou, a village filled with restored houses on narrow streets, brightly painted shutters, restaurants and small boutiques. It also has the remains of a 12th-century chateau and a museum. Farther afield, the Chaîne des Alpilles is a small range of low mountains, made famous in paintings by Vincent van Gogh. The lower slopes are planted with olive and almond trees – and make for great hikes.
LOCATION
Le Paradou, France. Nearest airport: Marseille (45mins).
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Spring to October. At the beginning of July, there’s an Arles photography event very close by. The house is also available in low season, when weekends options are added.
The post Provençal Farmhouse, Le Paradou, France appeared first on Modern Vacation Home Rentals.