Le Mas Des Alpilles

Description

Set just a short walk from a pretty Provencal village, Le Mas Des Alpilles is a handsome house set in exquisite gardens. In the heart of Les Alpilles Natural Park, this home offers charm and luxury in a captivating part of Provence.

Dating back to the 18th century, Le Mas Des Alpilles has been beautifully renovated by architects who have respected the maison's history yet created a contemporary haven. It was originally the home to a horse-operated olive mill and to this day horses remain on the estate as well as century old olive trees and an original mill in one of the reception rooms.

The sense of history pervades the mas with vaulted ceilings, thick stone walls and antique furnishings alongside stylish decor and modern amenities. Warm colours have been used throughout to create a welcoming ambience across the eight sumptuous bedrooms, all which feature air-conditioning, elegant bathrooms and TVs. One of the master bedrooms with its four-poster bed and copper bathtub is a particular delight.

The incredible French gardens feature water fountains, lawns, a chapel, a vegetable garden and a forest of pine trees. Swim in the heated swimming pool overlooking the ancient olives and dine al-fresco on the elegant terraces.

You're welcomed with fruit, flowers and local wine as well as fine locally sourced bathroom products, bathrobes and slippers. A continental breakfast is served every morning, there's maid service most days and additional arrangements can be made for a chef, fitness instructor or masseur and spa therapist to come to the home.

Stroll into the local village for boulangeries, a fish monger, butchers and some lovely restaurants and make sure you sample some of the best olive oil made in one of the original mills. It's only a short drive to one of France's ‘Plus Beaux Villages', Les-Baux-de-Provence or explore the charming art galleries of Saint-Remy. Arles and Avignon are both magnificent cities to visit in this stunning part of southern France.

Les Alpilles region also offers wonderful walks and cycle trails through landscapes of olive groves, vineyards and enchanting countryside; this is bucolic Provence at its very best.

#### Features
Villa Interiors (840m2)

Ground Floor (approx. 300m2)

- Two reception rooms
- Two fully-equipped kitchens
- Dining room
- Bar
- Cinema room
- Laundry room

First Floor (approx. 370m2)

- Bedroom One: king-size double bed, dressing room and bathroom with shower
- Bedroom Two: master bedroom with king-size double bed, mini-bar, safe, dressing room and bathroom with large walk-in shower
- Bedroom Three: master bedroom with king-size canopy bed, mini-bar, safe, dressing room and bathroom with large walk-in shower
- Bedroom Four: king-size double bed and bathroom with shower
- Bedroom Five: master bedroom with king-size canopy double bed, desk, sofa and bathroom with bath
- Bedroom Six: king-size double or twin bed and bathroom with shower
- Bedroom Seven: king-size canopy double bed and bathroom with shower
- Bedroom Eight: master bedroom with king-size double bed, balcony, dressing room and bathroom with shower
- Cinema room

Please note all bedrooms have air-conditioning and flat screen TVs

Second Floor (approx. 172m2)

- Fitness/yoga room
- Sauna
- Spa
- Massage and relaxation room

Outside Grounds (approx 3.5 hectares)

- Heated swimming pool (16x5m), open approximately May to end-September (other months on request)
- Outdoor shower
- Sunloungers (x8)
- Terrace for al-fresco dining
- Vegetable garden
- Fountains and water features
- Gardens including lawns and woodland
- Picnic areas
- Chapel
- Electric gates (and interphone)

Facilities

- Wi-Fi
- Air-conditioning
- TVs
- Apple TV and Netflix
- Home cinema system
- Sonos speaker system
- Fitness/yoga room
- Spa and massage room
- Lift
- Hairdryers

#### Location
Le Mas des Alpilles is located in the heart of the Alpilles Natural Regional Park, within walking distance to a characterful village and just a short drive from one of France's ‘Plus Beaux Villages', Les Baux-de-Provence.

You can wander into the local village in about fifteen minutes or so, where you will find a selection of good places to eat including a great pizzeria as well as a Michelin starred restaurant. There are also some lovely shops such as boulangeries, a butchers and deli and a couple of small grocery stores. You can sample some of the amazing olive oil produced in the village at one of the local presses.

It's only a 5km drive into Les Baux-de-Provence which enjoys a marvellous setting and is a delightful place to explore. Many visitors come to soak up the ambience in the pretty village, exploring the lovely squares and little lanes or heading up to the fortified chateau.

There are many other idyllic villages and towns to discover across Les Alpilles including Saint-Remy-de-Provence, where you can follow the Vincent Van Gogh trail around the town or enjoy the Wednesday morning market and Eygalieres, an incredibly picturesque village which is now a bit of a celebrity hot-spot at times with A-listers escaping the paparazzi here.

Just to the north of Les Alpilles, the small city of Avignon is a wonderful day out, not just because of the two UNESCO world heritage sites (Saint Benezet Bridge and the Pope's Palace) but also due to the great atmosphere around the covered and weekend markets, the brilliant restaurants and great cafes and wine-bars.

Arles is also famous for its Van Gogh connections and is a lovely city to visit for its galleries, museums and restaurants. It is also the gateway to the Camargue, an incredible region about an hours drive away, well-known for its incredible landscapes of land, lagoon and sea with wild horses and pink flamingos.

This region offers endless activities such as horse-riding on the estate as well as nearby, golf within a short drive near Les Baux-de-Provence and beyond and some amazing walking and cycling trails, following routes through lavender fields, vineyards, olive groves and summer meadows.

In July you must try some of the melons from Cavaillon whilst antique lovers mustn't miss the Sunday market in Isle Sur La Sorgue, also popular for those who love canoeing. The heart of the Luberon region is also waiting to be explored with so many archetypal Provencal villages including Menerbes, Roussillon and Gordes.