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"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 are 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, cosily 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.
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. At the west end of the main room behind the curving main staircase, is an airy lounge with a second open fireplace, furnished with comfortable leather seating and eclectic antiques.
Satellite television offers BBCTV, CNN and 40+ channels plus BBC Radio plus French network TV. A VCR (PAL/SECAM), a stereo (CD & cassette), a DVD player 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 three bath/shower rooms. 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 three double bedrooms, one twin and a single with trundle bed. The library has a daybed with trundle for extra accommodation flexibility.
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 space 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 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 by plane and car 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 a rental car before landing in France. The new TGV Mediterranée (High-Speed Train) takes only 2hrs 38 mins from Paris to the new station at Avignon, or 2hrs 50 mins to the conveniently-located station of Aix-en-Provence. Cars can be rented at the train stations as well.
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. |
Pet Friendly
