Whether enjoying breakfast by the swimming pool, kicking back in the cinema room or preparing Provençal feasts in the large kitchen-diner, Papillon makes a fantastic holiday home for friends or family looking to stay in Les Alpilles near the gateway to the Camargue. This air-conditioned villa sleeps 6 adults and up to 6 additional children across its four bedrooms. On the ground floor, beside the cosy lounge and vast kitchen-diner, find a dorm-style en suite bedroom with bunk-beds that will delight siblings or friends whilst upstairs there are three double bedrooms (one of which can also be a twin) each with their own private shower room. The mezzanine cinema room is another brilliant feature, as is the pool house with its summer kitchen, bar and lounge. The outside space here is superb with thyme, rosemary, poplars, olive and fruit trees as well as towering pines. The heated swimming pool and its pool house are perfect for warm summer days and balmy evenings whilst there is ample space to read on a south-facing terrace or picnic on the lawn, always surrounded by scenery so typical of the region. Head out to Maussane-les-Alpilles for a meal in one of its charming restaurants and don’t miss the Thursday morning market. Take long walks through the endless olive groves and visit one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’, Les Baux-de-Provence, with its historic chateau. Elsewhere, soak up the ambience at the weekly market in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, follow Van Gogh’s footsteps in Arles, visit the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Avignon and you can even drive towards the Luberon region of Provence with idyllic perched villages such as Ménerbes, Gordes and Lourmarin around an hour away. The Camargue is also within easy reach with its vast lagoons, salt plains and marshes, a paradise for nature lovers and outdoor adventurists who can admire the scenery on horse-back, by boat or simply hiking through the captivating landscapes. Features: Villa Interiors (350m2) Ground Floor -    Living room with stone fireplace -    Open plan kitchen-diner with doors sliding open to terrace. Kitchen well equipped including central island, two fridges, freezer, wine cabinet, gas hob, microwave, steam oven and dishwasher -    Cellar/laundry room -    WC and sink -    Dorm-style bedroom with 3 x sets of bunk-beds (90x200cm each), door leading to garden and shower room with shower, double sink and WC First-Floor (via open-sided staircase with no hand-rail) -    Mezzanine level cinema room (overlooking lounge below) -    Master bedroom with double bed (180x200cm), dressing room, door to private terrace (low rails) and shower room with Italian shower, sink and WC -    Bedroom with double bed (160x200cm), large wardrobe and shower room with Italian shower, sink and WC -    Bedroom with double bed (180x200cm, can be split into twin) and private shower room with Italian shower, sink and WC Upper bunk-beds should only be used by children with a minimum age of six years Pool House -    Lounge with two benches (which can be converted into single beds on request) -    Shower room with Italian shower, sink and WC -    Summer kitchen and bar Outside Grounds (3 hectares) -    Heated swimming pool (13x6m) with safety cover -    Pool house and summer kitchen (see above) -    Barbecue -    South and east facing terraces -    Private parking -    Electric gate with videophone Facilities -    Wi-Fi -    Air-conditioning (main house) -    TV and Home cinema -    Hairdryers -    Washing machine and dryer Location: In the Bouches-du-Rhône department of southern France, Papillon is located just 3km south from the pretty Provençal village, Maussane-les-Alpilles. Further amenities can be found in the attractive town of Saint-Martin-de-Crau (8.5km) which is known to be one of the gateways to the Camargue. Maussane-les-Alpilles is a lovely village known for its charming restaurants, deli shops and wonderful olive oil produced from the surrounding groves. Try and visit the Thursday morning market, a great way to pick up some delightful local produce or alternatively, Saint-Martin-de-Crau’s market is on a Friday morning. Keen gourmands may wish to consider booking a table at nearby Le Bistrot du Paradou (4km) and you will also find some excellent restaurants serving delicious Provençal fare in other local villages and towns including Arles (19km) and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence (13km). Indeed, you can follow Van Gogh’s footsteps in both Saint-Rémy and Arles – be sure to visit Arles’ Place du Forum where the Dutch Artist painted ‘Café Terrace at Night’ and Saint-Paul de Mausole just south of Saint-Rémy. Elsewhere in Saint-Rémy, the Wednesday morning market attracts visitors from across the region whilst Arles, on the banks of the Rhône, is a fine day out with its Roman heritage and UNESCO World Heritage sites. Another gem of Les Alpilles is Les Baux-de-Provence (8km) and its impressive château with the most spectacular valley views. Classified as one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’, head there early to avoid the summer crowds and wander around the medieval village soaking up its historic ambience. There are some brilliant walks around the village, a fantastic way to admire the undulating scenery of Les Alpilles. The wild and mesmerising landscapes of the Camargue are easily reached and you could even drive to the Mediterranean coast with the beaches around Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer under an hour away. Look out for white horses, pink flamingos and bulls en route as you pass the Camargue’s lagoons, salt plains and marshes. The Luberon is also waiting to be explored with its vineyards, cycling routes, hiking opportunities and perched villages including Ménerbes (50km), Gordes (55km) and Lourmarin (55km). Terms & Conditions: Security deposit? €3500 charged to client’s credit card as a pre-authorisation one month before arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection. 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. Energy costs included? Yes. Heating costs included? Yes. End of stay cleaning included? Yes, and 2 hours of cleaning per week also included. 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, changed once for stays over 14 nights. Pool towels included? Yes, changed once for stays over 14 nights. Pool opening dates? 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? Included. Please note that like all heated pools, pool heating and water temperature are reliant on weather and outside temperatures. Changeover day? Saturday. All other changeover days on request. Minimum stay? 7 nights. All other durations on request. Smoking Allowed? No. Pets welcome? Not allowed. 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 cancellations, loss of personal belongings, personal liability and any accidental damage caused during their stay. Other Ts and Cs? The villa sleeps 6 adults and up to 6 children/teens across four bedrooms (one with three sets of bunk-beds).