If you are looking for a home close to a beautiful Provençal town and yet surrounded by greenery, then Villa Orville is a wonderful choice. The house sits on the edge of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, surrounded by tranquil landscaped gardens meaning you can enjoy lazy days by the pool and then walk into town for dinner with ease (part of the route is along a quiet road with no pavement).
This villa is a fantastic base for a family holiday or a memorable trip with a group of friends, as there is so much space inside and out. The home is a traditional stone farmhouse which retains its rustic stone walls, wooden beams, terracotta tiles and ironwork on the windows. While these historic features have been lovingly maintained, the house is also bright and modern, with high-quality furnishings and natural tones. There are two living rooms at Villa Orville; one opens out onto the dining room with a large open fireplace and the other is a snug TV room perfect for cosy film nights. The fully-fitted kitchen has all the appliances and gadgets you need to prepare a delicious meal, and you can opt to dine inside or in the garden.
There are six bedrooms at the villa, which can sleep twelve guests comfortably. With crisp linen, calming lighting and air conditioning, you will surely get a great night’s sleep in whichever room you choose. If you would like a little peace and quiet away from the rest of your party, then opt to sleep in the annexe, which has its own kitchen and living area. There is also an additional bed in a walk-through room for a 13th guest if needed.
As the weather here is often warm and pleasant, outdoor space is essential for socialising and unwinding in the sun. The garden here is incredible, and you can lounge on the grass with a good book, splash with the kids in the pool or dine under the covered pergola on a balmy evening.
As you leave the gated grounds, you only need to walk 900m to reach the centre of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence (partially along a quiet road with no pavement). This picture-postcard town with its sun-drenched squares offers a true glimpse into day-to-day life in Provence. In town, there is a range of cafes and restaurants which line the streets, as well as artisan shops selling locally made goods. If you prefer to haggle at an authentic market, then make sure to pick up some local herbs and fresh bread on market day. On top of great shopping and eateries, the town is steeped in history; you can wander around the old town’s streets, combining Renaissance and 18th-century architecture. There are Roman ruins and ancient churches to explore, or if you are an art-lover, why not book a guided tour of locations painted by Vincent Van Gogh, who once lived in the area.
There are plenty of other amazing places you can visit nearby, such as Maussane Les Alpilles, which is 11km away and is a village at the base of a mountain known for its olive oil production. Les Baux-de-Provence is another village just next to Maussane Les Alpilles; this stunning village sits on top of a rocky outcrop and has impressive castle ruins. A little further out are the cities of Avignon (26km away) and Nîmes (45km away), which are both wonderful historical cities that are well worth the trip.
Features:
Villa Interior (380 m²)
Main Villa
Ground Floor
- Entrance hall
- Living and dining room with sofas, table seating 6 guests and an open fireplace
- TV room with sofa, armchairs, TV and wood burner
- Fully-fitted kitchen with American fridge freezer, oven, hob, dishwasher, microwave and coffee machine
-Room with single bed (90cmx190cm) that leads to first floor rooms
- 2 x Guest WCs
-Washroom with shower and basin
-Bedroom with queen-sized double bed (160cmx200cm)
-Shower room with walk-in shower and two basins
-Laundry room
First Floor
- Master suite with double-sized bed (160cmx200cm) and en-suite bathroom with Italian shower and double sink, separate WC
- Suite with double bed (140cmx190cm), TV and en-suite bathroom with shower and sink, separate WC
-Bedroom with queen-sized double bed (160cmx200cm)
-Bedroom with double bed (140cmx190cm)
Annexe
Ground Floor
- Open-plan living and dining room with garden access, futon and dining table seating 8 guests
- Kitchen with oven, hob, fridge, dishwasher, microwave and coffee machine
-Guest WC
First Floor (via spiral staircase)
- Bedroom with double bed (160cmx200cm) and en-suite bathroom with shower and sink, separate WC
Outside Grounds (1600m²)
- Private swimming pool (7m x 3.5m) with salt filtration and alarm
- Large garden with fruit trees, lawns and native planting
- Shaded pergola with al-fresco dining table
- Poolside sun loungers and umbrellas
- Outdoor sofas
- Boules court
- Fountain
- Barbecue
- Parking
Facilities
- Air-conditioning
- Wi-Fi
- TVs
- Washing machine
- Dryer
- Iron and ironing board
Location:
Villa Orville is an elegant, spacious home just a stone’s throw away from the picturesque town of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. The surrounding area is packed with historic buildings, beautiful restaurants and the hills and mountains of the Regional Natural Park of the Alpilles, so you do not need to drive far to experience adventure-filled days.
The closest amenities are just under a kilometre away from the garden gates in the town of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. This town is so handy to have nearby as you will find a wide selection of cafés, bars and restaurants here or if you would prefer to do your own cooking, you can peruse stalls filled with the freshest produce at the market and little shops around the town squares. Saint-Rémy is the perfect place to go for a stroll during the afternoon, where you can take in the sights of the old town and sip a coffee watching the world go by. Looking around, you will see Roman monuments, 18th-century homes and staggering Renaissance façades. One of the main attractions here is the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole monastery which is a great place to explore, and it is famous because Vincent Van Gogh lived here for around a year, creating lots of works of art during a difficult time in his life. If you would like to learn more about Van Gogh, you could take a guided tour around the city with a knowledgeable guide, or you could drive to the city of Arles, which is 26km away, to visit the impressive Van Gogh Museum.
Another nearby village you should add to your itinerary is Les Baux-de-Provence which is 11km away from the house. The village has been voted one of the most beautiful in France and sits dramatically on a rock face 250 metres high! The village’s history is as dramatic as its location, as the whole village was destroyed in 1632 by the king’s forces. Many visitors flock to see the enchanting castle ruins, just one of over twenty historic sites. The castle still has dungeons, towers and weapons, so it is easy to imagine some of the many battles which took place here when the area was ruled over for centuries by a warrior clan. Bustling shops and family-run eateries now fill the once-abandoned buildings so you can enjoy dinner while soaking in the stunning views. Art lovers will enjoy visiting the Carrieres de Lumieres at the bottom of the hill. This unique art installation displays the artworks of one internationally-renowned artist per year by projecting them onto the limestone quarry walls.
Avignon is a mere 26km away if you want to visit a busy city. Start your visit by walking around the defensive walls. You can then visit museums, art galleries or gorgeous churches. Wine lovers are also well-catered for here as this area is known for producing Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which you can sample at a cosy wine bar or on a trip to a local vineyard. Avignon is best known for being the former home of the papacy, as the pope moved here temporarily in the 14th century. Visitors can look around 25 rooms of the former pope’s palace, the biggest Gothic palace in the world! This is a must-see attraction with staggering frescoes, art and stone works. After a busy day of sightseeing, why not rest in the Rocher des Doms riverside gardens before dinner.
Terms & Conditions:
Arrival time?
5.00 p.m. Late arrivals after 9.00 p.m. may be charged a late arrival fee of €120.
Departure time?
10.00 a.m.
End of stay cleaning included?
Yes. However, guests are required to leave the accommodation clean, tidy and in the same condition as on their arrival. Any extra cleaning, laundry, maintenance and/or rubbish disposal required will be charged against the security deposit.
Linen & towels included?
Yes. And changed weekly for stays of 14 nights or more.
Pool towels included?
Yes. And changed weekly for stays of 14 nights or more.
Energy costs included?
Yes.
Minimum stay?
7 nights. All other durations on request.
Changeover day?
Saturday. All other changeover days on request.
Tax?
French Visitors Tax payable locally (typically costs €1-€5 per adult per night- please enquire if exact amount is required).
Insurance?
Guests are required to be in possession of a valid insurance policy, which covers them for civil liability as well as cancellations, personal belongings, public liability and any accidental damage caused during their stay. A copy of this policy may be requested by the owner before arrival.
Other Ts and Cs?
Please note that there is an additional single bed located in a room leading to the stairs to the first floor for an additional guest if needed.
