Discover the charm of historic Uzès as you stay in this exceptional townhouse with a heated swimming pool and private roof terrace, only a very short stroll from the heart of this enchanting town. As you step from the characterful rue into Maison de L'Ecrivain even the entrance will impress you with its vaulted stone ceiling. A spiral staircase leads you up to the first floor with a superbly equipped French kitchen and the most wonderful living and dining space – browse through the impressive library of books with works in English and French by the likes of Proust, Flaubert and Hemingway. Light floods in from the sliding doors that lead straight out to the maison’s decked terrace and heated swimming pool, such a rare delight for a historic townhouse. At the very top of Maison de L'Ecrivain you will also find the most inviting little roof terrace, perfectly private and ideal for relaxing in the sun or admiring the glorious evening sunsets. The three bedrooms and bathrooms across the top two floors feature luxury bedding and high-end towels. The master double is especially graceful with its own light-filled reading room and balcony as well as an en suite bathroom. A peaceful office space can also be found upstairs whilst other invaluable features include air-conditioning, a sound system and private parking. Wander down the street, passing your local boulangerie and you will soon reach the restaurants, boutique shops and elegant architecture of historic Uzès. As you stroll around the town you will soon see why it’s classed as a ‘City of Art and History’ with its beautifully preserved buildings. A trip to the bustling market at Place-aux-Herbes on a Wednesday and Saturday morning is a must as the square comes alive with traders selling flowers, olive oil, honey, Languedoc wine and other delicious local produce.   Beyond Uzès, hire bikes to explore local villages and the surrounding countryside or drive across to the incredible Pont du Gard, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Avignon and Nîmes can also be visited for a fantastic day out or spend time enjoying lunch in picturesque villages such as nearby Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie, famed for its ceramics. Then of course there’s the wineries and vineyards of Uzès and Languedoc Roussillon, France’s largest wine producing region, from small organic producers to award-winning domaines producing the highest quality of wines. Organise a personal wine-tasting or purchase local wine to appreciate in the comfort of your sophisticated holiday home. Features: Maison Interiors Maison de L'Ecrivain is not suitable for children. Ground Floor -    Entrance with vaulted ceiling -    Guest WC -    Laundry/utility room (with storage space for luggage) -    Private cellars (x2) First Floor (via spiral staircase) -    Living and dining area with doors leading to terrace and swimming pool -    Kitchen, fully-equipped Second Floor (via spiral staircase) -    Master bedroom with king-size bed, reading room with balcony and en suite bathroom with bath/shower, sink, WC and bidet -    Bedroom with queen-size double bed -    Bathroom with shower, sink, WC and towel heater Top Floor -    Bedroom with queen-size double bed and doors leading to private roof terrace -    Bathroom with shower, sink, WC and towel heater -    Office area Outside Grounds -    Heated BioUV swimming pool (7x2.5m, depth: 2.5m) with counter-current feature and safety alarm -    Poolside decked terrace -    Private roof terrace -    Secure car park with private garage Facilities -    Wi-Fi -    Air-conditioning -    Heating -    Sound system -    Home office area -    Library with rare books -    Washing machine and dryer Location: Maison de L'Ecrivain is located in the historic town of Uzès in the Gard department of Languedoc-Roussillon.  It’s set down a narrow and traditional road, a 3-minute walk to the nearest boulangerie and a little further to a small supermarket. It’s a fantastic location - just wander up the lane for around 350m and you will reach the Place-aux-Herbes, Uzès’ central square with pavement cafes and restaurants under the beautiful arches, a fountain as well as the twice-weekly market. Indeed, the Wednesday and Saturday morning market is a must-see with vibrant colours, flowers, wine, olive oil, honey and a wealth of fresh seasonal produce from across the region. Uzès is classified as a City of Art and History and there is such charm to discover amongst its narrow lanes, boutique shops, elegant squares and beautifully preserved historic buildings. Part of the Duchy of Uzès, climb to the very top of the Bermonde Tower and look out to the glorious countryside views around the town. The iconic Fenestrelle Tower is another example of the town’s wonderful architecture and one of Uzès’ most important landmarks. As well as soaking up the enchanting atmosphere as you live like a local in Uzès, there is so much to visit close by. One of this area’s most famous sights is Le Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct that is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s a perfect spot for picnics or the most adventurous of guests can hire canoes and kayaks to sail down the Gard river, perhaps continuing on to the incredible Gorges du Gardon, a nature reserve which is also ideal for hiking, rock-climbing and mountain biking. Le Pont du Gard is around a 15-minute drive from central Uzès, heading towards Avignon. Of course, the small city of Avignon (40km) is another lovely place to discover with its busy markets, enticing restaurants and historic sights including the Palais des Papes and Saint-Bénézet bridge, two more UNESCO World Heritage sites. Nîmes is also within easy reach, around half an hour by car, with its fascinating Roman history and one of France’s best preserved temples, Maison Carrée, as well as a bustling indoor market and many excellent places to eat. There are plenty of pretty villages and towns scattered across the Gard department and beyond. Nearby Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie, a centre for ceramics, is a village of great Provençal charm or head a little further to the steep narrow lanes of La Roque-sur-Cèze, classified as one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’. Aiguèze, around an hour away, is another idyllic spot on the banks of the Ardèche river or drive to Anduze, 43km by car, and take a steam train ride through the incredible Parc National de Cevennes. Terms & Conditions: Security deposit? €1500 charged to client's credit card as a pre-authorisation at least 2 weeks prior to arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection. Arrival time? 4.00 p.m. Departure time? 10.00 a.m. Energy costs included? Yes. Heating costs included? Yes. Linen & towels included? Yes. Pool towels included? Yes. End of stay cleaning included? Extra €450, payable locally to the property manager. This is for a standard changeover clean. 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. Tax? French Visitors Tax payable locally to the property manager (typically costs €1-€10 per adult per night - please enquire if exact amount is required). Pool heating charge? Included. Please note that like all heated pools, pool heating and water temperature are reliant on weather and outside temperatures. 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. Changeover day? Friday. All other changeover days on request. Minimum stay? 7 nights. All other durations on request. Pets welcome? Not allowed. Smoking Allowed? Not allowed. Other Ts and Cs? Maison de L'Ecrivain is not suitable for children.