Villa Borie

As you head up the Cypress-lined driveway and catch a glimpse of the swathes of lavender, you'll realise what a special place this is. This elegant stone home, a short distance from one of the many idyllic villages of the Luberon, is an incredible place from which to explore this enchanting part of Provence.

Villa Borie has been lovingly restored by its current owners who have renovated the home with style and great taste, featuring the perfect blend of Provencal and contemporary furnishings and original artwork across the house.

The beautifully preserved stone fire-place is the central feature of both the living and dining room whilst French doors open up to one of the glorious stone terraces. All three bedrooms feature queen-sized beds, Provencal wardrobes and dressers and doors opening on to the pool, gardens or the fields of lavender. There are two sumptuous bathrooms, one with a roll-top bath, the other featuring an in-ground Italian shower.

Keen chefs can create a feast using the very best produce from local markets in the contemporary kitchen with high-end Smeg appliances plus an island and breakfast table, allowing for a convivial atmosphere as meals are prepared.

In the evening you can seek solace with a glass of local wine on a stone bench surrounded by lavender or enjoy an aperitif on the lit-up terrace by the old Borie, a stone hut where shepherds would have once sought shelter on stormy nights. Or simply continue to take in the breathtaking views of the Luberon mountain from the south-facing terrace.

In the beautiful grounds, by the rockery filled with flowers and fruit trees, there's a dazzling and wonderfully maintained swimming pool with deckchairs and loungers around the poolside terrace, the perfect place to spend long summery days in the peace of the verdant surroundings.

In the lovely local village, you will find restaurants, cafes and charming shops. Explore the steep narrow streets with beautiful old stone houses, many of which have been restored, and reach the fascinating ruins of a castle dating back to the 11th Century. Furthermore, within a short distance you can drive to a wealth of other idyllic Luberon villages such as Bonnieux, Menerbes and Roussillon as well as Van Gogh's beloved Gordes (17km), one of France's Plus Beaux Villages.

The Luberon Natural Park offers an ideal setting for walking, horse-riding and cycling amongst spectacular landscapes of hills, olive groves and vineyards whilst wine lovers will appreciate the amazing vineyards and wine cellars across the region. Don't miss the weekly food market in nearby Apt, one of the most famous in the area, whilst the well-known brocante markets in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue are a must for antique lovers.

Famous Avignon, the capital of Provence, and Aix-en-Provence, one of France's most beautiful university towns, are just over an hour away or head to Les Alpilles Natural Park with Saint-Remy-de-Provence or Les Baux-de-Provence for a memorable day out.

At the end of the day you'll be pleased to return to the tranquillity and beauty of your own exceptional place at Villa Borie.

Features

Interiors

• Living-dining room, separated by a large stone fireplace

• Library

• Kitchen, well-equipped including oven, microwave, dishwasher, washing machine, fridge, coffee maker, breakfast table and chairs

• Small study

• Master bedroom with queen-size double bed and doors leading to stone terrace. Direct access to main bathroom with antique roll-top bath and double washbasins

• Double bedroom with queen-size bed and doors leading to garden. Direct access to shower room with in-ground Italian shower

• Double bedroom with queen-size bed, antique sofa and doors leading to swimming pool area

• Reading area on mezzanine level (via spiral staircase)
  Grounds

• Swimming pool (approx. 6mx3.5m, depth approx 1.2m-2.7m) with pool safety alarm. Open April to end of September

• Sun loungers, deck chairs and sun umbrellas

• South-facing terrace

• Natural gardens, rockery and surrounding parkland

• Stone fountain

• Borie with lit-up terrace

• Boules court

• Table tennis
  Facilities

• Wi-Fi

• TV (British channels)

• Music streaming via AirPlay

• Books

• Washing machine

Location

You enter Villa Borie through electric wrought-iron gates and then follow the Cypress-lined driveway to the beautiful home. It is surrounded by 7.5 acres of natural grounds featuring 200 mature trees, lavender fields and an old Borie (stone hut) where shepherds would have once sought shelter on stormy nights. There are breathtaking views of the Luberon mountain from the south-facing terrace.

It's near to a lovely village in the heart of the Luberon where you will find restaurants, cafes and the ruins of a castle dating back to the 11th Century. Explore the steep narrow streets with beautiful old stone houses, many of which have been restored.

Within a short drive there is also a wealth of archetypal Luberon villages to explore such as Bonnieux (8km), Menerbes (5km), Roussillon (14km) and Van Gogh's beloved Gordes (17km), one of France's Plus Beaux Villages.

The Luberon National Park offers an ideal setting for walking, horse-riding and cycling amongst spectacular landscapes of hills, olive groves and vineyards. There are climbing opportunities near Buoux (19km), a tiny village with a castle not to be missed and now a mecca for rock-climbing.

Wine lovers will appreciate all the amazing vineyards and wine cellars in the local area and wine-tasting at some of the very best can be arranged. The vineyards of the Cotes de Ventoux and Chateauneuf du Pape (60km) are also within easy reach when driving towards the beautiful Rhone wine region.

Food enthusiasts should also head to the Luberon town of Apt (18km) on a Saturday morning for its incredible Provencal market, one of the most famous in the region and well known for its local products especially candied fruits and goats cheese. The old town has a lot of charm and character and the surrounding hills are typical of beautiful Provence. Market lovers should also seek out the famous brocantes (antique markets) at L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (23km).

Famous Avignon (44km), the capital of Provence, and Aix-en-Provence (60km), one of France's most beautiful university towns, are just over an hour away whilst the natural beauty of Les Apilles National Park is also nearby with Saint-Remy-de-Provence (49km), Les Baux-de-Provence (50km) or Eygalieres (35km) perfect for a memorable day trip.

Further afield, discover the vibrant city and surrounding coastline of Marseille (95km) or drive to the mesmerising region of La Camargue (100km), perhaps stopping off in Arles (90km), another Provencal town made so famous by Vincent Van Gogh.