Chez Manon southeastern view

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Location: Apt, Luberon Area, Provence, France, Europe (GPS - 43°52’08”N 05°23’18”E 44 kms E of Avignon)

Accommodations:  House, 5 Bedrooms + Library, 3 Baths (Sleeps 10-11)

Keywords:  House

"Chez Manon" sits perched on the Luberon hillside, amid lavender fields and cherry orchards, overlooking the market town of Apt in Provence's protected Parc National du Luberon in the heart of the Vaucluse. Renowned for its weekly Saturday market, where farmers, artists, wine growers, restaurateurs, cheese makers and merchants of all kinds ply their wares and offer local produce, Apt features an eclectic array of cafés, galleries, and restaurants, hidden down narrow streets and winding alleys.

Chez Manon, a Provençal mas more than 200 years old, was until 1995 a working farm. It has been beautifully and lovingly restored in traditional provençal style with the pink-brown ochre rendering and light green wooden shutters, typical of the Luberon region. Surrounded by broad stone terraces on three sides, the property includes a large enclosed heated swimming pool to the west and attractively landscaped gardens.

From the north terrace, the views are splendid. To the north is the Vaucluse mountain range, dominated by the distinctive white-capped Mont Ventoux, below, the town and surroundings of Apt, and to the east, the ruined hilltop fortress at Saignon. Sunrises and sunsets from the north terrace are truly spectacular.

Inside Chez Manon, first impressions are striking. The 20-metre long (65 feet) open plan living, dining and kitchen area is light and cool, with its lath and plaster ceiling, polished tree trunk beams and broad expanse of terracotta-tiled floor. A fireplace at the east end is a focal point, cozily surrounded by comfortable chairs and sofas. Large cupboards contain generous quantities of table linen, kitchen utensils, tableware and other household necessities.

The kitchen area itself has been designed and equipped by people who love to cook - and where better to do that than in Provence? Extensive granite surfaces, large appliances including a double Paul Bocuse oven range and an American refrigerator, as well as a double sink, a dishwasher and a built-in microwave oven, ensure that cooking chez Manon is a pleasurable part of the holiday. The open plan format of the main room means that the cooks are not excluded from sharing a glass of wine with the rest of the party. The dining area seats twelve in comfort. There is a toilet on this ground floor with WC and hand basin.

At the east end of the main room, a small flight of steps leads down to a secluded library, where a desktop computer gives broadband wi-fi Internet access. A printer and fax machine is also installed. It is here that you will find an additional bed suitable for a teenager.

At the west end of the main room behind the curving main staircase, is an airy lounge with an enclosed fireplace, furnished with comfortable leather seating and eclectic antiques. Satellite television offers BBC, ITV, Channel 4, CNN, and 100+ channels plus BBC Radio plus French digital TV. A DVD player, a VCR (PAL/SECAM), a stereo (CD & cassette) and a library of videos, DVDs, CDs and cassettes complete the home entertainment centre. Four glass-paned doors in the north and south walls of the main room provide access to the terraces outside.

Two staircases, at each end of the main room, lead upstairs to the five bedrooms and four bath/shower rooms and two separate WCs. The bedrooms are light, comfortable and offer valley and mountain views. Each bedroom is decorated with period furniture, modern beds and generous cupboard and storage space. Chez Manon comfortably sleeps ten. There are two en-suite bedrooms with queen sized beds; one bedroom with a queen-sized bed (not en-suite), one bedroom with twin beds and another with one single bed with trundle - this can be made up as a queen sized bed also.

Below the house is a utility room with two washing machines, a dryer, a sink and plenty of room to hang wet clothes. A purpose built washing line at the west end of the lower terrace makes drying clothes in the fresh air a welcome alternative during the summer months. Alongside the utility room is covered parking for 3 cars. The house is fully centrally heated by an environmentally friendly geothermal system for the cooler months, and logs are supplied for the open fireplace. 1.6 acres (0.66 hectares) of grounds surround the house and keep it pleasantly secluded.

Around the house the gardens have been landscaped, adding to the appeal of the property. A gardener ensures plants are watered and the grass cut regularly throughout the summer season. The 10m X 5m heated swimming pool is enclosed and covered for safety and is serviced twice a week by local professionals. The pool area is furnished with plenty of comfortable poolside loungers, wrought iron beds, a gas barbecue, tables, parasols and adequate seating.

Apt, a town of 12,000 inhabitants, is a 5-minute drive down the hill, while the charm and character of Luberon hilltop villages such as Bonnieux, Lacoste and Ménerbes, and the famous antique market of Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, are all within 30 minutes' drive. Those who enjoy rock-climbing can be in Buoux, well known to climbers and hill walkers, in less than 15 minutes by car.

Restaurants to suit every pocket are scattered about the surrounding countryside and the region's vineyards produce plenty of excellent wine.

Apt can be reached via Marseilles or Avignon airports. All the major car rental agencies are on the parking lot outside the airports, but it is advisable to reserve in advance. The TGV (High-Speed Train) takes only 2hrs 38 mins from Paris to Avignon TGV station, or 2hrs 50 mins to Aix-en-Provence. Cars can be rented at the train stations.

Those wishing to bring their own vehicles will be able to take advantage of France's network of autoroutes; or the journey can become part of the holiday by adopting the more leisurely pace offered on the picturesque D (departmental) and N (national) roads for which the country is renowned

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• Amenities
  • Air Conditioning : Geothermal cooling and heating....eco friendlier!
  • Linens Provided : Household and pool linens provided.
  • Washer : There are 2 washing machines in the large laundry.
  • Dryer : Clothes dryer and outside clothes line for those who prefer.
  • Garage : Undercover parking for 3 cars......oooooodles of outdoor parking for more.
  • Covered Parking : Sufficient for 3 cars under cover.
  • Off Street Parking : Sufficient parking for many cars on the terraced area in front of the 3-car garage.
  • Wood Fireplace : Large wood fireplace in the lounge area, another in the television/music room, wood provided.
• Beds
  • Queen Bed (3) : Three bedrooms with queen sized (160cm) beds.
  • Twin/Single Bed (3) : One bedroom with twin beds which can be made up as a queen sized bed. Another bedroom with a single bed and trundle which creates two twin or one queen bed. There is one single bed in the library should an extra be needed.
  • Crib : Baby cot available upon request in advance.
• Entertainment
  • Cable/Satellite TV : Satellite TV offers BBCTV, ITV, Channel 4 CNN and 100+ channels.
  • DVD
  • VCR
  • Video Library : A wide selection of video and the latest DVDs available.
  • CD Player
  • Stereo System
  • Music Library : An excellent music selection available. iPod connection provided.
  • Private Pool : 10m x 5m heated pool. Fully fenced for security and with an electric cover.
• Kitchen
  • Full Kitchen : Better equipped than many home kitchens, created by passionate food lovers with space for several chefs at once.....surrounded by onlookers and wine tasters!
  • Cooking Utensils Provided : Everything you can possibly think of including an oyster shucker!
  • Refrigerator : American refrigerator/freezer with ice maker. Second fridge in the laundry.
  • Dishwasher : Sink and tea-towels too!
  • Microwave
  • Ice Maker
  • Catering Available : There is a list of caterers in the 'house book'.
• Outdoor Features
  • Gas/Electric BBQ Grill : BBQing on the terraces is absolutely the ideal way to go. The views are stunning, sunsets just gorgeous....heaven!
  • Deck/Patio : Terraced/paved area runs around three sides of the house. So depending on sun and social inclinations...one can make a choice.
• View/Location
  • Mountain View : The white peak of Mont Ventoux is in plain view.
• Communications
  • Telephone : 6 Phones upstairs and downstairs.
  • Computer : Computer, printer, fax all provided at the house. Wifi throughout.
  • Broadband Internet
  • WiFi (Wireless Internet)
• Suitability
  • Pet Friendly : Pets permitted with prior agreement only.
  • Smoking Not Allowed : Ash trays are provided for the outside terraced area.
• Activities
  • Golf
  • Tennis
  • Shopping
  • Kayaking
  • Swimming
  • Biking
  • Mountain Biking
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Fishing
  • Hunting
  • Health/Beauty Spa
  • Antiquing
  • Miniature golf
  • Horseback Riding
  • Hot Air Ballooning
  • Hiking
  • Rock Climbing
  • Restaurants
  • Fitness Center/Gym
  • Cinemas/Movie Theaters
  • Museums

Rate Details (In Euros)

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Personal Currency Assistant™

Date      2012          Euros
Jan 7 -  Apr 27 2012 .. €2500/week
Apr 28 - Jun 22 2012 .. €3000/week
Jun 23 - Sep  7 2012 .. €3500/week
Sep 8 -  Sep 28 2012 .. €3000/week
Sep 29 - Jan  4 2013 .. €2500/week
For reservations of 2 weeks or longer, we're happy to discuss a discount

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.

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