As you step from the characterful rue into Maison de L’Ecrivain even the entrance will impress you with its vaulted stone ceiling. A spiral staircase leads you up to the first floor with a superbly equipped French kitchen and the most wonderful living and dining space – browse through the impressive library of books with works in English and French by the likes of Proust, Flaubert and Hemingway.
Light floods in from the sliding doors that lead straight out to the maison’s decked terrace and heated swimming pool, such a rare delight for a historic townhouse. At the very top of Maison de L’Ecrivain you will also find the most inviting little roof terrace, perfectly private and ideal for relaxing in the sun or admiring the glorious evening sunsets.
The three bedrooms and bathrooms across the top two floors feature luxury bedding and high-end towels. The master double is especially graceful with its own light-filled reading room and balcony as well as an en suite bathroom. A peaceful office space can also be found upstairs whilst other invaluable features include air-conditioning, a sound system and private parking.
Wander down the street, passing your local boulangerie and you will soon reach the restaurants, boutique shops and elegant architecture of historic Uzès. As you stroll around the town you will soon see why it’s classed as a ‘City of Art and History’ with its beautifully preserved buildings. A trip to the bustling market at Place-aux-Herbes on a Wednesday and Saturday morning is a must as the square comes alive with traders selling flowers, olive oil, honey, Languedoc wine and other delicious local produce.
Beyond Uzès, hire bikes to explore local villages and the surrounding countryside or drive across to the incredible Pont du Gard, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Avignon and Nîmes can also be visited for a fantastic day out or spend time enjoying lunch in picturesque villages such as nearby Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie, famed for its ceramics.
Then of course there’s the wineries and vineyards of Uzès and Languedoc Roussillon, France’s largest wine producing region, from small organic producers to award-winning domaines producing the highest quality of wines. Organise a personal wine-tasting or purchase local wine to appreciate in the comfort of your sophisticated holiday home.
Features:
Maison de L’Ecrivain is not suitable for children.
Ground Floor
- Entrance with vaulted ceiling
- Guest WC
- Laundry/utility room (with storage space for luggage)
- Private cellars (x2)
First Floor (via spiral staircase)
- Living and dining area with doors leading to terrace and swimming pool
- Kitchen, fully equipped
Second Floor (via spiral staircase)
- Master bedroom with king-size bed, reading room with balcony and en suite bathroom with bath/shower, sink, WC and bidet
- Bedroom with queen-size double bed
- Bathroom with shower, sink, WC and towel heater
Top Floor
- Bedroom with queen-size double bed and doors leading to private roof terrace
- Bathroom with shower, sink, WC and towel heater
- Office area
Outside Grounds
- Heated BioUV swimming pool (7×2.5m, depth: 2.5m) with counter-current feature and safety alarm
- Poolside decked terrace
- Private roof terrace
- Secure car park with private garage
Facilities
- Wi-Fi
- Air-conditioning
- Heating
- Sound system
- Home office area
- Library with rare books
- Washing machine and dryer
Location:
Maison de L’Ecrivain is located in the historic town of Uzès in the Gard department of Languedoc-Roussillon.
It’s set down a narrow and traditional road, a 3-minute walk to the nearest boulangerie and a little further to a small supermarket. It’s a fantastic location – just wander up the lane for around 350m and you will reach the Place-aux-Herbes, Uzès’ central square with pavement cafes and restaurants under the beautiful arches, a fountain as well as the twice-weekly market. Indeed, the Wednesday and Saturday morning market is a must-see with vibrant colors, flowers, wine, olive oil, honey and a wealth of fresh seasonal produce from across the region.
Uzès is classified as a City of Art and History and there is such charm to discover amongst its narrow lanes, boutique shops, elegant squares and beautifully preserved historic buildings. Part of the Duchy of Uzès, climb to the very top of the Bermonde Tower and look out to the glorious countryside views around the town. The iconic Fenestrelle Tower is another example of the town’s wonderful architecture and one of Uzès’ most important landmarks.
As well as soaking up the enchanting atmosphere as you live like a local in Uzès, there is so much to visit close by. One of this area’s most famous sights is Le Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct that is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s a perfect spot for picnics or the most adventurous of guests can hire canoes and kayaks to sail down the Gard River, perhaps continuing on to the incredible Gorges du Gardon, a nature reserve which is also ideal for hiking, rock-climbing and mountain biking. Le Pont du Gard is around a 15-minute drive from central Uzès, heading towards Avignon.
Of course, the small city of Avignon (40km) is another lovely place to discover with its busy markets, enticing restaurants and historic sites including the Palais des Papes and Saint-Bénézet bridge, two more UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Nîmes is also within easy reach, around half an hour by car, with its fascinating Roman history and one of France’s best-preserved temples, Maison Carrée, as well as a bustling indoor market and many excellent places to eat.
There are plenty of pretty villages and towns scattered across the Gard department and beyond. Nearby Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie, a centre for ceramics, is a village of great Provençal charm or head a little further to the steep narrow lanes of La Roque-sur-Cèze, classified as one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’.
Aiguèze, around an hour away, is another idyllic spot on the banks of the Ardèche river or drive to Anduze, 43km by car, and take a steam train ride through the incredible Parc National de Cevennes.
Arrival time is at 4.00 p.m. and departure time is at 10.00 a.m.
Like all heated pools, pool heating and water temperature are reliant on weather and outside temperatures. Pool opening dates are subject to local weather conditions and pool maintenance requirements and that cooler months may not be suitable for swimming.
Changeover day is Friday. All other changeover days on request.
Please note: Maison de L’Ecrivain is not suitable for children.
