Maison Sebastien

Featured as the villa in Secret France, Rick Stein's BBC2 TV Series aired 5 November 2019. Read morehere >
Originally a 14th-century lookout tower, this hilltop chateau in Provence provides 360-degree views of the surrounding oak forest and lush landscapes below, accommodating 13 guests in comfort and style.
Thoughtfully restored with rustic and contemporary decor, the chateau has an inviting ambiance and plenty of comfortable places to relax; from the open living space with a wood-burning stove, to the cinema room, or the sun loungers by the pool with wonderful views overlooking the valley. It's even a wonderful place in the winter, especially cosying up by the Christmas tree or simply gazing up at the clear starry skies at night.
The ancient terraces will be a popular spot for enjoying meals from the local market, especially the shaded terrace just off the impressive modern kitchen, where you'll dine alongside breathtaking panoramic views of the French countryside. Below lies a medieval courtyard with lavender and fruit trees, which is another excellent space for entertaining.
There are five bedrooms in the main house, plus a delightful studio with a mezzanine bed and a private terrace which sleeps an additional two guests.
You'll be within walking distance to the village of St Michel L'Observatoire, with two restaurants, a cafe, a bakery and a butcher, as well as a prominent observatory, and it's a short drive to the famous absinthe of Forcalquier. The beaches of the French Riveria are worth the 2.5-hour drive!

A Stay at Maison Sebastien

“I will never get over this perfect house in the countryside and wish we could have stayed for weeks! It was perfection from the French kitchen, to the blue shutters, medieval floor plan, sunny terrace with gorgeous views, swimming pool, and country lanes for miles surrounding us…” - Read more about the fantastic Maison Sebastien here!

Features

The original Maison Sebastien was a medieval lookout post - The Bastide. Over the centuries a studio apartment was added and in 1859 the annexe of the Magnanerie was built to house the facilities to produce silk. The valley is famous for its mulberry trees.
The Bastide (the main house)
On the Ground Floor there is a large open plan area with a modern kitchen, indoor dining area and a large sitting room. This area opens onto a double terrace with outdoor dining and a serving area. Around the corner is an ancient covered terrace that overlooks the medieval courtyard.
From the salon, a stone arch leads to a large ground floor bedroom with a superking sized bed and a bathroom with Haman style shower. The main stairway is curved stone and lit by a double storey slit window.
The first floor has two en suite double bedrooms both with kingsized beds. The area outside the second bedroom room can be curtained off to create a family unit with an additional single bed.

The second floor has two bedrooms - one double and one with two single beds. These rooms share a bathroom. The second floor also has a full TV/cinema area with access to Apple TV and Orange cable. This layout of rooms is the original medieval fort and sleeps 11.
Fans are available in each bedroom and there is a standing fan in the main salon.
The Studio
Also available is the studio, set below the main Bastide, off the medieval courtyard, and which is ideal for a couple. This has its' own bathroom, small kitchen, private sun terrace and a mezzanine with a double bed.
Grounds
Maison Sebastien is situated in the Luberon National Park and therefore all work done has to reflect the area's natural beauty. When you first arrive at the property you drive through a thriving young oak forest. This gives way to a stunning view of Mane, Forcalquier and the Midi Alps beyond. The approach to the house is lined with olive trees, pines and poplars. The swimming pool (4.8x12m) is fully enclosed and highly secure for young children. It is surrounded by an elegant stone area that offers both perfect sunbathing and shade under a 'tunnelle'. All around the house there are old - some ancient - terraces and the property has one of the very last remaining Roman mulberry trees in Provence. The stoneware around the house is listed.

Location

Maison Sebastien is a five minute drive - or lovely twenty minute walk - from the village of St Michel L'Observatoire.

The village is thriving with two restaurants, a cafe, a bakery and a butcher. It is also home to a major French Observatory. St Michel's position at the foot of the Midi-Alpes combined with a lack of light pollution gives it unique night skies at all times of year.
Ten minutes drive from the house is the small medieval town of Mane and beyond - the regional centre - Forcalquier. Mane has a good pizza restaurant, pharmacy, bakery, butcher and Epicerie. Forcalquier is famous for it's absinthe, it's historic church and square and it's citadel high above the town but it also has two excellent supermarkets, a thriving - if crazy - Monday market and some lovely cafes restaurants and shops.

There are many ways to get to the property: fly to Marseille or take a train to ether Aix en Provence TGV or Avignon TGV. There is now a direct train between London St Pancras and Avignon. The drive from London is approximately 14 hours. There are numerous useful local buses that link with both the airport and the train stations.