This authentic Provencal nineteenth-century farmhouse is peacefully situated just outside the idyllic village of St-Rémy de Provence and offers a taste of both rural and village life in a wonderful part of France. Recently renovated, both house and landscaped garden retain their original charm and character despite their transformation into a comfortable holiday retreat. You’ll enjoy relaxing by the old fireplace in the spacious living area, spotting an interesting book in the bibliothèque and accessing the little ladder to reach it. The house is beautifully furnished with plenty of carefully chosen paintings and objets d’art to enjoy during your stay. Sit on the old stone bench beneath the hundred year old plane tree which stands guard by the front door, providing shade and cool. Both house and landscaped garden are well enclosed by cypresses and mature trees and the pool is well situated in a tranquil corner surrounded by lawn, bamboo and olives.  Charming St-Rémy is famous for its many restaurants, from simple bistros on pretty narrow streets to Michelin starred establishments for that special evening out. Food lovers, look out for the Wednesday and Saturday morning markets with their olives, cheeses and herbs. Wine lovers can easily arrange private tours and tastings at the vineyards in the surrounding countryside.  Set just north of the mountain range of Les Alpilles Natural Park, there is plenty of opportunity for outdoor activities such as rock climbing with hiking, horse riding and mountain biking popular on the many marked trails.  There are so many pretty villages to explore nearby and the delights of the Camargue, Arles and Avignon are easily reached. You will be bewitched by the light, colour and scents of a landscape which inspired so many paintings of Vincent Van Gogh. Features: Villa Interiors 280m2 Main House  Ground Floor - Large living room with TV, library and fireplace - Kitchen and dining area well equipped with fridge, freezer, electric oven and hob, microwave, dishwasher, butane gas plate - Double bedroom (180cm bed) with shower room, WC and sink - Cellar - Separate WC  First Floor - Double bedroom (two single beds 90cm) - Double bedroom - Double bedroom (180cm bed) Bedrooms 2 and 3 each have an extra foam roll up bed suitable for children. - Separate shower room with WC - Separate washroom with WC Outside Grounds 5000m2 - Private swimming pool (12m x 5m) with pool safety alarm - Poolside terrace with sun loungers - Pool house with summer kitchen, table, chairs, WC and shower - Shaded outside terrace - Boules pitch - Private parking area Facilities - High Speed internet access - Wi-Fi - Cable TV - DVD player - Air Conditioning upstairs - BBQ - Washing machine and dryer - Ironing facilities - Vacuum cleaner - Outside parking Location: Mas Oriental is situated in a quiet area very near St-Rémy de Provence in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region of southern France and on a country road leading to Les Baux. Charming St-Rémy typifies the Provencal way of life and is famous for its many restaurants, from simple bistros on pretty narrow streets to Michelin starred establishments for that special evening out. Food lovers, look out for the Wednesday and Saturday morning markets with their olives, cheeses and herbs. Wine lovers can easily arrange private tours and tastings at the vineyards in the surrounding countryside.  The Alpilles museum offers fascinating information about the area and its heritage while Musée Estrine commemorates Vincent Van Gogh as well as showcasing other regional artists. The French astrologist and physician Nostradamus was born in St-Rémy in 1503 so look out for his birthplace in Rue Hoche. The local archaeological site of Glanum (1.5km) is well worth a visit. It was dug and rediscovered in 1921 exposing the great buildings that characterised the cities of Imperial Rome.  Take the zig zag forested road to Les Baux, a picturesque grey stoned medieval village in a spectacular position in the mountains, one of France’s acclaimed ‘plus beaux villages’. Stroll around its pretty squares and narrow cobbled streets then visit the medieval fortified castle which stands so grandly on a rocky outcrop. In a former quarry nearby the amazing multimedia shows of Carrières de Lumières can be found, projecting images of famous paintings set to music onto all the surfaces of the rock. The ground is also completely covered and becomes a huge carpet of colourful images.  Nearby Mausanne (11km) has more than 37,000 olive trees and is one of the most important olive oil producing areas in France – don’t miss sampling the oil which is some of the best in the country, produced by its two remaining windmills.  Eygalières (14km) in Les Alpilles Natural Park is one of the prettiest spots in Provence, a small hill-top village with winding lanes and stunning views, home to many celebrities seeking refuge from the paparazzi. The park itself provides plenty of opportunity for outdoor activities such as rock climbing with hiking, horse riding and mountain biking popular on the many marked trails. Nature lovers will enjoy its biodiversity and abundance of resident bird species. Gordes (39km) is another beautiful village worth visiting, set in the Luberon region and surrounded by iconic lavender fields in the summer months. If you love the sight and smell of lavender a visit to Un Mas en Provence (31km) will delight the senses and explain how the relaxing scent is produced. For another sensory experience closer to home, call into the Musée des Aromes in St-Rémy (1.8km) which has a fine collection of perfume bottles and a scenting table to test your olfactory skills. Don’t miss the lively city of Avignon (26km) during your stay. Explore its winding medieval streets, visit the two UNESCO world heritage sites, the Pope’s Palace and Saint Benezet Bridge. The covered market offers all sorts of delights or head to the weekend farmers, flower and flea markets for wonderful local produce and a bargain or two. For warm summer evenings of culture there is a theatre in Avignon and Opera lovers should book early for the July Festival in Aix en Provence (75m)   Arles (25km) is a fantastic city with a rich historical past and well known for its incredible architecture and fascinating Roman remains. The oval amphitheatre now hosts plays and concerts instead of gladiators and chariot races. Arles is also famous for being a source of inspiration for Van Gogh and he painted some of his most famous works in the city. Terms & Conditions: Security deposit? €6500 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. Energy costs included? Yes, fair usage policy applies. Excess after 137.67 charged extra. Linen & towels included? Yes, including pool towels. End of stay cleaning included? Extra €380 payable to owner before arrival. 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. Pets welcome? No. Smoking Allowed? Outside only. Changeover day? Saturday. Minimum stay? 7 nights. 28 nights in August. Other Ts and Cs? Please note that your booking will only be confirmed once we have checked availability with the owner.