Built in the late 17th century, this villa features a 20 metre long hall that connects two substantial wings.
The galleried mezzanines lead out onto a covered balcony offering spectacular views.
Downstairs, the stunning vaulted kitchen and dining room are perfect for socialising.
Stepping out you reach the walled front courtyard and garden, where you can then wander up to the secluded pool located above the house.
This location offers wonderful views over the lush valley.
With 8 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms this property is able to sleep 16 guests.
A further simple bedroom and shower room is located in the pigeonnier beside the poolhouse, a perfect romantic retreat.
The house is furnished to a high standard with a mixture of traditional antiques, and hand-made furniture in Indian hard wood. It is filled with rich silk curtains throughout and fine soft Indian furnishings.
The Prades wing has one double bedroom with en-suite shower room. There is also one double, and one twin-bed room that share a bathroom.
The Lalevade wing has 5 double or twin/triple bedrooms each with its own bath or shower room (3 are en-suite, 2 are sole use but across a corridor). In addition both mezzanines in the big upstairs hall have beds.
There are 6 rooms for everyone to come together or for individuals to relax on their own. There is a TV and DVD in the main hall/library with wifi access throughout the house.
Guest of all ages can take advantage of the games room in the vaulted semi underground cellar with table-tennis, or enjoy the substantial collection of English language books found in the library, study and hall.
There is an elegant salon facing the garden, next to it is a small dining room, often used for breakfast in winter. This is adjoined to the huge converted stables with vaulted, kitchen/dining room. There is central heating throughout the property for guest comfort, plus open wood fires in the salon, dining room and hall. Traditional wood burning stoves can be found in the kitchen/dining and hall.
The kitchen is fully equipped for a party of 16 or more including; 2 fridge/freezers, 5-hob gas stove and electric fan oven, 2 dishwashers, microwave, toaster, 2 washing machines and one tumble-dryer.
Outside the south-west facing garden offers stunning views up the valley to the mountains. It is an ideal spot to enjoy al-fresco dinning at the teak table and chairs. There is also a secluded courtyard round the corner, looking up at the pigeonnier, good for shady eating in the day, or an evening BBQ.
The pool located above the house and reached by stone steps with outstanding views across the valley. The Pool house provides another shady place for lunch with teak pool side furniture. The pool is child safe with a hard electric cover and a gated access.
Across the village lane, is our large walled (and gated) garden, overlooked by a superb 'threshing terrace' that we use for evening drinks. A stream runs through the lower property - this was the watering system for the original farm.
This villa is nestled at the start of the Upper Ardeche gorge, where the Massif Central gives way to the Rhône river basin and Provence plain. It is surrounded by wonderful scenery and is an excellent centre for outdoor activities such as kayaking, swimming, hill walking, cycling and tennis. The house is on the edge of a very convenient village with a supermarket and other amenities. There are also very charming villages a short walk or short drive up the valley.
For outdoor–lovers
Try canoeing or kayaking on the Ardeche (20 minutes to the main base). Or swimming in the crystal clear –but bracing – upper Ardeche as it tumbles down from the mountain into big rocky pools. There is a sandy beach on the Ardeche in the village (gentler water here). Tennis courts too. Endless wonderful hill-walking, including out from the house. Cycling – and sampling - through the nearby Ardeche vineyards and olive groves.
For the Tourist
The Ardeche is famous for its special old restored villages. Aubenas is a fine old medieval town (good shops and markets too). Avignon and Nimes are just over an hour away, as is the Rhone/Provence valley with all its Roman antiquity (Alba la Romaine is 15 minutes).
For the Gastronome
Good restaurants in Aubenas, Vals, and many villages. The local Ardeche wines are fun and interesting, if not grands crus. Goats cheese, mushrooms, fabulous fruit, and chestnuts are among the local specialties.
There area has plenty of activities to keep you entertained during your visit. You can try walking, swimming in the local river and lakes, Tennis and Tours to Aubenas, Le Puy, Avignon, Uzes and Nimes. There are also many delicious restaurants close by.
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