Located in the centre of the picture-postcard village of Fontvielle you will find La Maison Secrète; a traditional Provencal home which is well-situated for taking day trips to other villages and the surrounding mountains. 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. 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. When you wish to pick up some groceries or head out for breakfast, you can wander in to Fontvieille with ease. This is a charming village with a rich history; guests can visit the chateau, museums and ancient churches. The village also has a thriving market square, artisan shops and a great range of eateries from cosy bistros to fine dining restaurants. There are a wealth of pretty villages dotted around the countryside of Provence and another incredible place to visit is Les Baux-de-Provence which is 9km away. This village is set on a rocky outcrop 250m high looking over the valleys below. Though the village was almost completely destroyed by the royal army in the 17th century, visitors can explore to castle ruins and dozens of historic attractions such as the gorgeous Church of St-Vincent. The village is well worth visiting even just to walk around the maze-like streets and enjoy dinner with amazing views. If you would like to spend the day in a busy city then why not try nearby Arles which is 10km away or the enchanting city of Avignon which is 30km away and known as the former home of the popes.  Features: Villa Interior  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 Outside Grounds - 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 Facilities - Wi-Fi - Air-conditioning - TV - Washing machine - Dryer - Iron and ironing board - Vacuum cleaner Location: La Maison Secrète is set 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. Art lovers should Saint-Remy de Provence to their itineraries which is 18km away from the villa. This picturesque town has attracted artists for hundreds of years who would flock here to paint the surrounding landscapes and parts of the town. Vincent Van Gogh was one such artist and lived in the town for a year during a difficult period in his life, seeking solace and accommodation at the monastery of Saint-Paul-de-Mausole where he lived in a bare cell and created hundreds of art works. Those interested in Van Gogh can visit the monastery and take tours of inspiring settings around the village. There are other tours available here too, such as historic walking tours, food and wine tours and trips to nearby farms and vineyards with knowledgeable guides. Saint-Remy de Provence is a lovely place to stroll around, soaking in the Provencal culture while looking at the Renaissance buildings and the incredible Roman ruins. Make sure to head to the old town to shop for fresh herbs at the little shops and pick up some fresh breads and lavender at the lively market.  Terms & Conditions: Security deposit? €800 charged to client’s credit card 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. Minimum stay? 7 nights. All other durations on request. Changeover day? Saturday. All other changeover days on request. End of stay cleaning included? Yes. 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. Energy costs included? yes. Pets welcome? Not allowed. Smoking Allowed? Outside only. 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 civil liability as well as cancellations, personal belongings, public liability and any accidental damage caused during their stay. A copy of this policy may be requested by the owner before arrival. 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. Other Ts and Cs? Weddings, stag/hen parties and any special events are not allowed.