Location
Down a little side street in the centre of Fontvieille village. This charming village is surrounded by vast amounts of parkland and walking trails within the Regional Natural Park of the Alpilles and there are many more villages and towns nearby too, making this a fantastic base for exploring Provence.
Fontvieille is uniquely set in a former limestone quarry and all of the buildings you see as you wander around have been constructed with this local stone. The village has been here for over four centuries and is packed with historic sights and buildings. The village featured in the famous 1860s book “From my windmill” by treasured French author Alphonse Daudet. If you are a fan of Alphonse Daudet or would like to learn more about him you can visit a museum based on him, visit Ribert Mill which inspired him and follow the hour-long Path of the Windmills walk. Visitors can also see Daudet’s summer home, Chateau de Montauban, which is an attraction in its own right. This palatial home hails from the 17th century and has beautiful interiors as well as a local history museum inside. The village also has a great selection of shops, cafés and restaurants which are walking distance from the house. You can also visit the brilliant market to pick up some fresh bread and local honey. The market is held every Monday and Friday in the village square.
Also close to the house is the tranquil mountainous nature reserve the Regional Natural Park of the Alpilles. This is a must visit place for lovers of nature and outdoor pursuits. Without travelling far from the villa, you can hike through dense woodlands and climb limestone bouldering routes. This mountain range also has some smaller peaks for those who wish to try their hand at climbing. You could easily spend a full day exploring the open spaces, even traversing the landscape by horseback with a nearby equine centre for a memorable day out.
Arles 10km
Saint-Remy de Provence 18km
Nimes 24km (airport)
Avignon 32km (TGV)
Exterior
Outdoors, there are two outside spaces with spacious terraces and even a private swimming pool. Guests can cook on the griddle and dine al-fresco on balmy evenings when the terrace is lit up by twinkling lights under the iron pergola.
– Private saltwater pool (4m x 2m, depth:1.3m)with security alarm and step access
– Walled garden with two terraces
– Dining table seating four
– Outdoor armchairs
– Electric griddle
Interior
The home is set over two floors and is packed with original exposed stone work, tiled floors and shuttered windows. While the house retains these period features, the owners have recently carried out extensive renovations, creating a modern, welcoming place to stay.
After entering the hallway with sweeping staircase, you can walk through to the open-plan living area. In this room which opens on to the garden, there are two comfy sofas and a TV for if you fancy watching a film one evening and a dining table to dine together. The adjacent kitchen has everything you need for preparing meals with the delicious fresh produce which can be bought a short walk away at the market.
Upstairs there are two bedrooms with views on to the garden and the village. There is one bright and airy double room and another bedroom which can be set up as a double bedroom or a twin bedroom depending on the needs of your guests. The bedrooms share a well-appointed bathroom with a walk-in shower and a separate WC.
Ground Floor
– Entrance hall
– Fully-fitted kitchen with induction oven, hob, fridge freezer, dishwasher, microwave and kettle
– Open-plan living and dining room with doors on to the garden, two sofas, TV and dining table seating four
– Laundry room
– Guest WC
First Floor
– Bedroom with double bed (160cm)
– Bedroom with double (160cm)/twin beds (2x80cm)
– Family bathroom with sink and walk-in shower
– Separate WC