In the countryside, on the edge of one of the most picturesque villages in Les Alpilles, Eygalières, lies this stone traditional house with its own pastoral paradise. Its glorious three hectares of grounds are there to entice you into a variety of delights, where pool, terraces, play area and tennis court are to be discovered tucked away behind little hedges, trees, olive groves and sentinels of cypress which provide shelter from those warm breezes yet still allow the gaze to wander towards the hills. Lawns meander throughout, revealing beds of roses, lavenders and flowers guaranteed to satisfy the senses. The south facing terrace behind the house is dotted with shrubs and agapanthus with an ancient plane tree providing a shady spot for mid-morning coffee. The house itself is a wonderfully peaceful place to retreat to, comfortably yet simply furnished as if to contrast with the visual clamour of the grounds. The vaulted white stone ceilings of the living room and hall are spectacular and contrast well with the traditional wooden roof beams and lovely fireplaces in some of the other rooms. There’s a cinema room with comfy sofas for the children to retreat to when they are tired of exploring the enclosed outside space. When you are ready to venture further afield, there is so much to do in this area of vineyards, idyllic villages, world-renowned towns and summer wildflowers of Les Alpilles Natural Park and beyond. The local village is beautiful, featuring charming restaurants and cafes and is even the home to a couple of A-list celebrities who have come here to escape the paparazzi further south. Spend time in lovely Eygalières, then head south to Les Baux-de-Provence, one of France’s acclaimed ‘plus beaux villages’. Nearby St-Rémy-de-Provence is renowned for the artists who sell their work in the village galleries as well as being famous for its many eating places from pretty cafes to Michelin starred establishments, perfect for that special evening out. Foodies will also love the town’s famous Wednesday morning market where you can try out and buy a variety of regional food. The historic city of Arles is an unforgettable stepping stone into the wild countryside, beaches, iconic white horses and pink flamingos of La Camargue. So many activities can be found here, ranging from riding, trekking and quad biking to jeep tours across this fascinating terrain. Features: Villa Interiors (410m2) Ground Floor -    Large entrance hall with armchairs and fireplace -    Spacious kitchen with dining area, well equipped with electric oven, microwave oven, steam oven, five gas hotplates, fridge, freezer, dishwasher and extractor fan -    Open-plan lounge with sofas and fireplace -    Open-plan dining area -    Cinema room and library with fireplace and occasional sofa-bed for one person -    Wine cellar/utility room -    WC -    Bedroom 1 with double bed (160cm), shower room, WC and dressing area. French doors to terrace and garden Upstairs -    Bedroom 2 with double bed (160cm), fireplace, bathroom and WC -    Master Bedroom 3 with double bed (180cm), fireplace sitting area, dressing area, bathroom with Italian shower and WC -    Bedroom 4 with twin beds (90cm each, can be made into a double) with shower room and WC -    Bedroom 5 with two children’s beds (80cm), one of which is pulled out for use -    Bedroom 6 with double bed (160cm) -    Separate bathroom for the use of bedrooms 5 and 6 with bath and WC -    Bedroom 7 with double bed (160cm), dressing area, shower room with Italian shower and WC -    Separate WC Outside Grounds (approx. 3 hectares) -    Heated salt-water swimming pool (14mx7m, depth 1.2-1.8m) secured by a gate and electric screen (heated June-September approx) -    Pool house -    South and west facing terraces, one with BBQ and covered eating area -    Garden furniture – tables, chairs, armchairs, sunbeds and benches -    Tennis court -    Pétanque field -    Children’s play area -    Large uncovered parking space for several cars Facilities -    Wi-Fi -    Air-conditioning in bedrooms (except bedroom 5) -    Home Cinema -    Fan -    Hair dryer -    Children’s games -    Washing machine and dryer -    Ironing equipment Location: During your time at Douceur Estivale you are staying in the heart of an amazing region filled with idyllic villages, vineyards, olive groves and wonderful towns of Les Alpilles Natural Park and beyond. The nearby village, Eygalières, is one of the prettiest in the whole region where you can dine in charming restaurants, sip coffee in cafes or simply potter around the narrow lanes and admire its historic architecture. You can also easily reach the lovely village of Mollégès (6km), passing en route magnificent countryside with glimpses of orchards, avenues of cypress trees and swathes of wildflowers, always with the stunning backdrop of the Alpilles hills behind you. For more dramatic landscapes, the mountains of the extraordinary Luberon region are only a drive away. In the other direction, St-Rémy (11km) is a great town to visit, especially on a Wednesday morning where you can try and buy a variety of regional food and wonderful produce. The town is especially renowned for the artists who sell their work in the village galleries as well as being famous for a great variety of cafes, bars and restaurants, including some Michelin starred establishments. Head south to Maussane-les-Alpilles (18km), set in the Vallée des Baux and well known for its amazing olive oil produced in its two remaining windmills; it’s a great spot for lunch in one of the many great restaurants. Perhaps combine it with a trip to Les Baux-de-Provence (20km), one of France’s acclaimed ‘plus beaux villages’ a medieval gem perched on a rocky outcrop. Once you have explored the local town and villages, travel northwards towards the Rhône and the lively city of Avignon with its winding medieval streets and two UNESCO world heritage sites, the Pope’s Palace and Saint Benezet Bridge. The weekend farmer’s, flower and flea markets are great places to soak up the convivial ambience and pick up some delights. For more adventure head in a south westerly direction south towards the historic city of Arles, well known for its fascinating Roman remains, particularly the Amphitheatre. It’s also a gateway to the wild wonders of La Camargue with its beaches, lagoons, rice fields, galloping white horses and iconic pink flamingos. There are many family activities to be found here including horse riding, trekking, quad biking and jeep tours across this fascinating landscape. 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? No. €150, payable locally. This is for a standard changeover clean. Mid-stay clean of 6 hours per week included. Possibility of extra cleaning at the rate of 15 € per hour. 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. Energy costs included? Yes. Heating costs included? Yes. Linen & towels included? Yes. Pool towels included? Yes. Pool heating charge? Included from June to end of August, otherwise €150 per week, payable locally. Please note that like all heated pools, pool heating and water temperature are reliant on weather and outside temperatures. Minimum stay? 7 nights. Changeover day? Saturday. Pets welcome? On request only and with prior agreement with the owner. Smoking Allowed? Outside only. 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 must be provided to the owner minimum one month before arrival. Other Ts and Cs? Weddings, stag/hen parties and other celebrations are not permitted. Tax? French Visitors Tax payable locally (typically costs approximately between €2-€4 per adult per night- please enquire if exact amount is required).