Villa Fr5046

Description

Once a lookout tower in the 14th century, this stunning property offers 360-degree views of the oak forests and landscapes in which it is surrounded.
Able to accommodate 13 guests this hilltop château is the perfect mix of comfort and style.

With its inviting ambience, this contemporary and rustic property is full of places to relax.
With a wood-burning stove in the living room, to a cinema rooms and sun loungers outside, there is so much space to explore.
In winter you can get cosy by the Christmas tree and look up to the stars.

Meals can be enjoyed on the ancient terraces, with the modern kitchen having its very own private terrace with panoramic views of the French countryside.
Entertaining can also take place in the medieval courtyard below.

The village of St Michel L’Observatoire is just a short walk away, and features restaurants, a café and small local shops.
The local observatory is well worth a visit, as well is the famous absinthe of Forcalquier, just a short drive away.
If you are looking for beaches, those of the French Riveria are worth the 2.
5 hour drive.

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._x000D_

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._x000D_

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._x000D_

Fans are available in each bedroom and there is a standing fan in the main salon._x000D_

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
This villa 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.


This villa 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 cafè, 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.  _x000D_

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.
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._x000D_