Experience the best of Provence in this charming villa in the heart of Les Alpilles Natural Park. A short stroll takes you to a small, picturesque village where you can buy fresh bread from the bakery, local produce from the delicatessen or just hang out for a while in the café. Le Sable d’Or provides a successful combination of traditional and modern design with the lightly coloured ceiling beams in the living area complementing the gentle rise of the open plan staircase. The huge pale stoned fireplace provides a focal point to the room, a reminder of cosy evenings by the fire while the French doors offer an invitation to enjoy the warmth of summer in the glorious garden. A gentle arch leads into a bright kitchen where the blue cupboards and patterned tiles contrast with the calmer colours in the rest of the house. Outside, a large enclosed garden is mostly set to lawn with spacious seating and dining areas thoughtfully placed beneath the shade of ancient plane and olive trees with oleanders and carefully clipped shrubs scattered nearby. The salt water pool is hedged on two sides for privacy, one by a line of bamboo which is sure to sway and lightly rustle in the wind, further relaxing anyone lounging next to it. This whole region is redolent with the scent of rosemary and thyme and filled with vineyards, orchards, sunflowers, idyllic villages and world-renowned towns. Les Alpilles Natural Park provides so much opportunity for observing nature, rock climbing, riding, mountain biking and walking in an amazing landscape. Nearby Mausanne is another lovely village within walking distance, nestled at the foot of the mountain range and renowned for producing fine olive oil. For a change of landscape, head via the historic city of Arles to La Camargue with its beaches, lagoons, rice fields, wild white horses and pink flamingos. Here you can ride, trek, quad bike or take a jeep tour to explore this fascinating area more fully. Features: Villa Interiors (150m2) Ground Floor - Living room with seating area, fireplace, library and TV. French doors to garden - Well-equipped kitchen-diner with oven, hob, extractor fan, fridge-freezer, dishwasher, Nespresso and traditional coffee machines, toaster, kettle and dining table. Access from kitchen to terrace and dining area - Rear kitchen - Double bedroom (160cm, can be made into 2 x 80cm beds) with WC and hand basin First Floor (via open-sided staircase from living area) - Double bedroom (180cm) with a shower room - Double bedroom (180cm) with a dressing area and bathroom with bath, shower and WC - Double bedroom (160cm) with a shower room  Outside Grounds (1700m2) - Salt water swimming pool (10m x 5m, depth: 1.25-2.5m) with safety alarm and a mobile net/fence between garden and pool - Shaded terrace - Garden furniture – tables, chairs, 8 sun loungers and a parasol - Plancha barbecue - Boules pitch - Table tennis - Bikes (3 standard and 2 mountain bikes) - Enclosed grounds - Private parking (2 in garage, 4 outside) Facilities - Wi-Fi - Air-conditioning (Bedrooms and Kitchen only) - Heating - TV - DVD Player and DVDs - Library - Hair dryer - Insect nets at all the windows - Table tennis - Bikes (3 standard and 2 mountain bikes) - Boules - Washing Machine and dryer - Ironing equipment Location: Le Sable d’Or is situated a few minutes’ walk away from the centre of a delightful, small village full of characterful houses with brightly coloured shutters, flower filled gardens and an interesting museum. At the end of your short stroll you’ll also find a delicatessen, bakery, café and restaurant. Here is Provence at its best, full of charm and surrounded by beautiful countryside at the foot of the splendid Alpilles mountain range. The whole fantastic area of Les Alpilles Natural Park and beyond is filled with vineyards, idyllic villages, beautiful towns and rolling hills of olive trees.  Within a five-minute drive (or leisurely walk) you will find Mausanne, known for its amazing olive oil – look out for painters, sculptors and other artists exhibiting their work on Friday evenings. There are some lovely restaurants here as well as grocery stores and shops selling delicious local food. Also nearby, the unique village of Les Baux de Provence, classified as one of France’s 'Plus Beaux Villages', is well worth a visit for its impressive charm and stunning setting. A little further, St-Rémy is renowned for its artistic community which displays its art in the village galleries whilst Eygalières is one of the prettiest hilltop villages in Provence where several A-list celebrities can be spotted. Van Gogh’s much loved Arles is only 17km away, known for its fine architecture and Roman remains, particularly the Amphitheatre which now hosts plays and concerts. Travel onwards from this great city towards La Camargue with its 900 square kilometres of beaches, lagoons, rice fields, pink flamingos and wild white horses where you can try out riding, trekking, quad biking and take a jeep tour cross the exciting terrain. Avignon was once considered the centre of the world when the papacy resided there. There are so many historical sites and museums to visit here, not forgetting the famous bridge, now a UNESCO World heritage site. Also, the pleasant historic town of Tarascon lies between Arles and Avignon on the banks of the River Rhône and is a lovely day out. The whole area has so much to offer the adventurous traveller - horse-riding, golf, walking, climbing and mountain biking in the most glorious countryside. There are plenty of other family friendly activities throughout the region from model railways to tree-top centres. Terms & Conditions: Security deposit? €3000 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. 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 garbage disposal required will be charged against the security deposit. Linen & towels included? Yes. Pool towels included? Yes. Energy costs included? Yes. Heating costs included? Yes. Minimum stay? 7 nights. Changeover day? Saturday. 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. Pets welcome? On request only and with prior agreement with the owner. Smoking Allowed? Outside only. Other Ts and Cs? Air-conditioning is featured in 3 bedrooms only.