A traditional holiday home just outside Avignon, Villa Des Papes offers pretty gardens and a wonderful swimming pool in a great location for exploring so many different parts of Provence. Part of a larger property, this 3-bedroom villa dates back to the 18th century and was once the house’s stables. Nowadays its charm lives on in its inviting interiors, simply yet thoughtfully furnished with old-fashioned pieces alongside modern touches such as air-conditioning and Wi-Fi. The owner, who lives on the estate, is proud of the care she has taken to make this a comfortable and welcoming home for families or friends alike. Sliding doors open straight out to a picturesque terrace for al-fresco meals, looking out towards the swimming pool and garden dotted with olive trees and summer colours. Find a shady spot beneath an ancient tree and sit back with a glass of Côtes De Provence rosé, perhaps before strolling out for a meal at the prestigious five-star auberge offering fine-dining and spa services just a short walk away. Spend the day in nearby Avignon, exploring its bustling markets, eating out in characterful restaurants and visiting its two UNESCO World Heritage sites, Pont d'Avignon and Palais des Papes. Then there’s so many picturesque towns across the Vaucluse such as Carpentras, Pernes-les-Fontaines and Orange – visit on market day to pick up all sorts of wonderful Provençal produce. Cycling enthusiasts will be keen to head to Bédoin and Mont Ventoux whilst walkers will adore the undulating landscapes of the Luberon with picture-perfect hilltop villages such as Gordes and Ménerbes set amongst orchards, vineyards and woodland. Then there’s wine-tasting in nearby Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the olive groves of Les Alpilles, the art galleries of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and the antique stores of enchanting L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, before returning to the sweet surroundings of your charming holiday home. Features: Villa Interiors (two floors including open-tread stairs) -    Living-dining room with fireplace -    Kitchen, well-equipped -    2 x double bedrooms -    Quad bedroom -    Bathroom -    Shower room -    Laundry room with washing machine and dryer Outside Grounds (1500m²) -    Swimming pool (13x5m, depth: 1.7m) with safety shutter and alarm -    Pool inflatables -    Landscaped garden -    Al-fresco dining terrace -    Weber barbecue -    Ball and racket -    Pool inflatables -    Boules pitch Facilities -    Wi-Fi -    Heating -    Air-conditioning -    Library (books for all ages) -    Board games -    Ball and racket -    Pool inflatables -    Boules pitch -    Washing machine and dryer Location: Villa Des Papes is in the Vaucluse department of Provence, set in the outskirts of Avignon around a 15-minute drive to the heart of the historic city. In a residential neighbourhood, it’s just a short stroll through the local tree-lined park to a five-star auberge which offers fine-dining for lunch and dinner as well as spa services (treatments, indoor pool, hammam and jacuzzi). The area also features useful amenities such as supermarkets and shops as well as an 18-hole golf course within a 5-minute drive. The heart of historic Avignon is only 7km by car and a wonderful place to spend the day. Of course, it’s most famous for its UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Pope’s Palace and Saint Benezet Bridge, but it’s also loved for its bustling markets and excellent restaurants. Head to the atmospheric quarter near the Sorgue river and soak up the village ambience as you admire artists at work and stop off in a café or wine-bar. History-lovers should also include Nîmes (53km) on their to-do list, home of some of France’s best preserved Roman remains including Maison Carrée, perhaps stopping off for a picnic or canoe excursion by the Roman Aqueduct, Le Pont Du Gard (33km), yet another UNESCO World Heritage site. Closer to home, visit some of the picturesque villages and towns dotted across the Vaucluse department - Pernes-les-Fontaines is lovely on market day, especially in the summer months when all sorts of seasonal fruit is sold by local farmers, whilst L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is enchanting with its waterways, antique stores and superb Sunday morning brocante. There are ample wine-tasting opportunities in the Rhône valley including the well-known wine-town of Châteauneuf-du-Pape only 14km away. The mesmerising Luberon is another good area for sampling local wines – there are many great walks through vineyards, orchards and woodland as well as idyllic hilltop villages such as Gordes and Ménerbes. The artistic town of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence which inspired so many of Van Gogh’s paintings, is half an hour by car - visit on a Wednesday morning to experience its popular Provençal market or perhaps combine with a visit to Les Baux-de-Provence (40km), one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’. Set in Les Alpilles Regional Nature Park, this region is a paradise for walkers and there are some fine olive oils to be sampled in farms dotted across endless olive groves. Cyclists will love the many trails through this part of Provence whether following routes through the Vaucluse plains, discovering the landscapes of the Luberon or heading towards the challenging Mont Ventoux – the charming village of Bédoin is around 36km away, a mecca for cycling enthusiasts. Not forgetting other gorgeous towns nearby from historic Orange (28km) to the north or Arles (45km) further south, the gateway to the Camargue. Even Aix-en-Provence can be reached in just over an hour, no doubt passing landscapes loved so much by Cézanne. Terms & Conditions: Security deposit? £500 paid via bank transfer to the owner at the time of bookings and refunded two weeks after departure (or up to 60 days if there is a dispute), subject to full inspection. Arrival time? 3.00 p.m. Departure time? 10.00 a.m. Energy costs included? Yes. Heating costs included? Yes. 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. Pool towels included? Yes. 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. Tax? French Visitors Tax payable locally (typically costs €4.40 per adult per night- please enquire if exact amount is required). Changeover day? Saturday. All other changeover days on request. Minimum stay? 7 nights. All other durations on request. Pets welcome? Small pets on request only and with prior agreement with the owner. Smoking Allowed? Outside only. Other Ts and Cs? Weddings, stag/hen parties and any special events are on request only and subject to prior arrangement with the owner and additional charges.