La Retraite Estivale

With mesmerising views of the incredible Alpilles mountains, La Retraite Estivale offers stylish accommodation in a superb setting in this alluring part of Provence.

Sleeping up to 14 guests, this villa is superb for an extended family holiday or a large group of friends. Spend time together in the light-filled lounge with its sofas, beautiful fireplace, books and chairs creating a relaxed and care-free setting. Cook up Provencal feasts in the smart modern kitchen with its many gadgets and appliances, then dine in the quirky dining area with doors opening straight out to the terrace. The seven bedrooms, spread out over the main villa and neighbouring annexe, feature air-conditioning and en suite shower or bathrooms as well as an air of characterful simplicity and style.

Staring out at the hilly landscapes around you, spend lazy days in the vast gardens and open grounds. Challenge your loved ones to a game of petanque, find a quiet spot to soak up the sun or dip into the beautiful 16m long heated swimming pool. Warm summer evenings can be spent under the swaying pine trees, enjoying chilled wine from local vineyards as you sit out with family and friends. In the very heart of Les Alpilles, the views are wonderful as you feel truly immersed in the nature around you.

Just 5km away is a typically Provencal village with excellent restaurants, gourmet shops and old mills producing some of France's finest olive groves. Explore a little further afield and discover idyllic villages such as Les Baux-de-Provence and Eygalieres or head to the artistic town of Saint-Remy-de-Provence with its particularly charming Wednesday morning market.

You're also ideally situated to explore some of Provence's archetypal villages of the Luberon or spend time exploring the magnificent cities of Avignon, Aix-en-Provence and Nimes. Another town loved so much by Van Gogh, Arles is also close by, also a gateway to the alluring scenery of the Camargue.

Hike through fields of rosemary and thyme, cycle past summer sunflowers or take in the area's natural beauty on horse-back. Visit vineyards, sample olive oil and dine in Michelin starred restaurants. However you spend your time, this enchanting region is sure to charm you in so many ways.

Features

Main Villa Interiors

Ground Floor

• Living room with fireplace
• Dining area
• Kitchen, well-equipped including two dishwashers, American fridge-freezer with ice-maker, two ovens, microwave, Nespresso machine, ground coffee machine, toaster, kettle, mixer, juicer and liquidiser
• Back kitchen with extra fridge and laundry room
• Bedroom One with twin beds, pushed together (90cm each) and en suite shower room with WC
• Separate WC

First Floor

• Bedroom Two with twin beds, pushed together (90cm each) and en suite shower room with WC
• Bedroom Three with twin beds, pushed together (90cm each) and en suite bathroom with bath, shower and WC
• Separate WC

Separate Annexe Interiors

Ground Floor

• Bedroom Four with double bed (160cm) and doors leading to terrace. Shower room with WC
• Bedroom Five with double bed (140cm) and an additional single bed (90cm, suitable for a child) and doors leading to terrace. Shower room with WC

First Floor

• Bedroom Six with twin beds, pushed together (90cm each) and en suite shower room with WC
• Bedroom Seven with twin beds, pushed together (90cm each) and en suite shower room with WC
• Separate WC

Outside Grounds

• Heated swimming pool (16m x 6m, depth: 1.6m) with electric safety shutter
• Sun loungers (x6) and parasols (x2)
• Terrace with table for up to 20 guests
• Gas plancha
• Al-fresco lounge area
• Various tables and other garden furnishings
• Petanque
• Vast grounds (20,000m2, unenclosed, terraced in parts) with Alpilles views
• Private parking

Facilities

• Wi-Fi
• Air-conditioning (bedrooms only)
• TV
• DVD player
• Record player
• Sonos sound system (throughout house and pool area)
• Petanque
• Hairdryers
• Washing machine and dryer

Location

In the very heart of Les Alpilles Natural Regional Park, La Retraite Estivale is perfectly positioned to explore the outstanding landscapes, delightful villages and historic towns of this glorious part of Provence.

Just 5km away by car you will find a typically Provencal village with a handful of excellent places to eat (ranging from cafes and bistros to high-end restaurants), pretty shops and three of the original mills producing some of the highest quality olive oil in France. The main square with its fountains and historic buildings is a particular delight; it's an incredibly pleasant place to spend some time wandering around, discovering its gourmet delights and soaking up the charming ambience.

Les Alpilles Natural Regional Park offers wonderful walking through breathtaking scenery, many cycling trails as well as horse-riding or pony-trekking opportunities. You will also be able to take part in rock-climbing and there is a magnificent golf course at Domaine de Manville, only 7km away. A little further afield, head out on a family adventure along the Sorgue river, hiring canoes or kayaks in Fontaine-de-Vaucluse combined with a visit to the antique shops and amazing Sunday morning market in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (37km).

Other idyllic villages to visit nearby include one of France's ‘Plus Beaux Villages', Les Baux-de-Provence (10km), the home to a couple of A-list celebrities, Eygalieres (12km) and the charming town of Saint-Remy-de-Provence (15km) with its Wednesday morning market and strong historical links to Vincent Van Gogh.

The incredible landscapes of the Luberon region are also within easy reach with the archetypal villages of Menerbes, Bonnieux and Lacoste each around an hour away. A little closer to home, the town of Cavaillon (25km) comes alive in mid-July with it's Feria du Melon and has many fascinating historic buildings to discover.

Other wonderful towns and cities that can be reached for a remarkable day out include Avignon (35km) with its UNESCO World Heritage sites, Nimes (50km) with its amazing Roman architecture, beautiful Aix-en-Provence (65km), the birthplace of Paul Cezanne and historic Arles (26km), also the gateway to the mesmerising Camargue.