Villa Glycine - Six Chambres Villa, Couchages 11

In the heart of the Luberon National Park, experience the romance of Provence in this exceptional 17th-century farmhouse, with vineyard and mountain views, a short distance from one of the idyllic perched villages that this region is so famous for.

This beautiful home is full of authenticity and character, with an air of elegance and charm across its vast living spaces and six lovely bedrooms. The villa features a splendid Provençal kitchen and dining area with a striking original fireplace whilst the living room is graceful with its stylish sofas and Baby Steinway piano standing proudly by the picture-book windows. Bedrooms are dotted across the farmhouse and courtyard, each one with its own pretty style and private bathroom, five featuring king-size beds and some with French doors leading to picturesque garden terraces.

The gardens are simply delightful with ancient olive trees across the manicured lawns, summer aromas of lavender and roses, wisteria covered arches and giant pots bursting with colour, alongside a beautiful private pool which can be heated on request. Wander around and find pretty spots to sit with a glass of Luberon rosé before dining al-fresco on one of the many tranquil terraces, perhaps followed by a cocktail in the smart and inviting bar or just relaxing by the pool house.

A private tennis court is yet another impressive feature, alongside a full-screen cinema with film projector, a sound system, iPod dock and satellite TV. High-end services include the possibility of hiring a private chef or arranging daily breakfast, prepared by the on-site concierge who also provides maid service every weekday.

The nearby hilltop village is a joy to explore with its steep cobbled lanes and charming café-bar serving delicious meals and there are some wonderful walks around the surrounding countryside, passing vineyards, olive groves and woodland. You can also see the village of Ménerbes from your gardens, made famous by Peter Mayle’s ‘A Year in Provence’ and only 4km away.

When not wine-tasting in local vineyards or cycling through incredible landscapes, spend time visiting market towns such as Apt and Cavaillon, hire kayaks along the Sorgue river, follow winding roads to discover villages such as Lacoste and Bonnieux or admire the lavender fields around Van Gogh’s beloved Gordes.

Even Avignon and Aix-en-Provence can be visited for amazing days out – whether exploring this captivating region or remaining close to your holiday home, this part of Provence is sure to enchant you in every way.

Features:

Villa Interiors

Main Villa (two floors)

- Living area
- Dining area
- Kitchen, fully-equipped including dishwasher and fireplace
- Bedroom with king-size double bed with doors leading to garden terrace and pool. En suite bathroom (shower) and separate WC
- Master bedroom with king-size double bed and en suite bathroom (bath and separate shower) and separate WC
- Bedroom with single bed and en suite bathroom (shower) and separate WC

Courtyard Bedrooms (accessed from outside)

- Bedroom with king-size double bed and doors opening to garden terrace. En suite bathroom (shower) and separate WC
- Bedroom with king-size double bed and doors leading to private patio. Separate bathroom (shower and WC)
- Bedroom with king-size double bed and en suite bathroom (shower and WC)

Outside Grounds

- Salt-water swimming pool (depth: 1.3-2.2m) with safety alarm. Open approximately May to 15th October and can be heated (on request) except July and August
- Pool house with shower and WC
- Sun loungers and umbrellas
- Covered al-fresco dining and lounge area
- Bar
- Gas-grill BBQ
- Various terraces
- Tennis court (all-weather)
- Gardens with lawn area
- Water feature
- Private parking (up to 4 cars)

Facilities

- Wi-Fi
- Heating
- Fireplace
- Fans (bedrooms)
- Cinema with full screen and film projector
- DVD and Blu-ray
- Film library
- Satellite TV (inc. English news channels)
- iPod dock
- CD player/stereo
- Geneva sound system
- Baby grand piano
- Bar
- Ironing facilities
- Washing machine and dryer
- Air-conditioning (6 bedrooms and cinema room)
- Hairdryers (in bathrooms)

Location:

Villa Glycine can be found in the heart of Provence’s Luberon National Park, surrounded by idyllic perched villages and marvellous mountain views, around 40km south of Avignon.

You can walk to the nearest hilltop village in around 30 minutes (along the country roads) if you don’t mind the hills - it’s a small but glorious place which has been carefully restored over the last fifty years. The steep cobbled lanes are a delight, as are the wonderful views of olive groves and woodland surrounding the village. Find the pretty square in the centre of the village with its café-bar, perfect for relaxed lunches or al-fresco meals on warm summer evenings.

Ménerbes (4km) is also a short drive away, a beautiful medieval hilltop village with pretty shops and lovely restaurants and as well as a charming Thursday morning market. The village was made famous by Peter Mayle’s ‘A Year in Provence’ and it’s one of France’s classified ‘Plus Beaux Villages’.

Other archetypal villages of the Luberon include Lacoste (13km), Bonnieux (16km) and Roussillon (18km), amongst others, and there are also the wonderful towns of Cavaillon (13km) and Apt (24km) to discover, especially on market day. Another famous village of this region is Van Gogh’s beloved Gordes (12km), also known as one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’ with its incredible history, atmospheric market and surrounding lavender fields.

Keen walkers can follow a number of trails through the mesmerising Luberon landscapes, either around the local village or beyond, passing vineyards, olive groves, woodland and glorious Provençal countryside. Cycling is also incredibly popular in this part of Provence and horse-riding is another great way to admire the scenery.

Antique lovers must experience the amazing markets of L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (17km), perhaps combined with a visit to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse (16km), the source of the Sorgue river and a superb place for hiring kayaks and canoes.

The Luberon vineyards are also a very short drive away if you would like to try some of the local wine whilst connoisseurs can head north towards Châteauneuf-du-Pape (50km) for a splendid day out in the Rhône valley.

You may also choose to spend time in the historic city of Avignon (38km) with its UNESCO World Heritage sites or head south to experience the romance of Aix-en-Provence (63km), just an hour away.

Terms & Conditions:

Security deposit?
€5000 paid via bank transfer to the owner one month before arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection.

Arrival time?
4.00 p.m.

Departure time?
10.00 a.m.

Energy costs included?
Yes.

Heating costs included?
Yes.

Linen & towels included?
Yes.

End of stay cleaning included?
Yes, and maid service (Monday to Friday, 3hrs per day). 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.

Pets welcome?
On request only and with prior agreement with the owner. If accepted, the security deposit will increase to €6000.

Changeover day?
Flexible.

Minimum stay?
2023: 7 nights (June to September and Christmas/New Year), 5 nights (May and Easter) or 4 nights at other times. 2024: 5 nights from January - April and October - December. 7 nights during all other periods.

Smoking Allowed?
Outside only.

Pool opening dates?
The pool is open approximately May to mid-October. Please note that pool opening dates are subject to local weather conditions and pool maintenance requirements and that cooler months may not be suitable for swimming.

Pool heating charge?
Yes, €500 per week (2023) (not available July and August when pool heating is not usually needed), €750 per week (2024). Please note that like all heated pools, pool heating and water temperature are reliant on weather and outside temperatures.

Pool towels included?
Yes.

Other Ts and Cs?
Air-conditioning is featured in 6 of the bedrooms and the cinema room.

Tax?
French Visitors Tax payable locally in cash (typically costs €1-€10 per adult per night - please enquire if exact amount is required).
Pets - allowed
Smoking - not allowed