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Menerbes was the village that inspired Peter Mayle to write ‘A Year in Provence’ - it is one of the select group of hill-top villages in the Luberon National Park and officially one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France.
The house used to be the office of the village notary and is actually where Peter Mayle bought his Menerbes house. I converted it into a home. Being at the top of the village, the house seems to hang above the valley below. It has been gutted, remodeled, decorated, and furnished to a very high standard in Provencal style - each room flows into the next through arches, without doors, and the large south-facing picture windows all have stunning views of the Luberon mountain opposite (as does the walk-in shower).
The house is extremely light and is the perfect year round haven for the romantic, the artistic, gastronauts, and nature lovers. There is a main bedroom with double bed and en suite bathroom, and a second bedroom with twin/double and en suite bathroom. The loggia/balcony is the place to toast the day as the sun sets down the valley.
I furnished and decorated the house with no expense spared - I did not know then of the cruel hand fate would deal me - I would soon be drawn back to England by the lady who is now my wife. Consequently, the house does not resemble a rental home. Sofa and armchairs are hand-made, tiles are made and painted by hand, every home comfort is included, from dishwasher and waste disposal to satellite TV and free wireless internet. When you come home from exploring the wonders of Provence, you are not let down by your accommodation.
Menerbes is the heart of one of the enchanted corners of this world. Everything you read about in ‘A Year in Provence’ is here - the lavender-scented landscapes; daily markets overflowing with local produce that actually tastes of something; quirky customs; hilltop villages rising above the sea of vineyards and sunflowers; outstanding food and wine; and the sensational quality of light that has always brought painters and poets here. In Provence, everything simply tastes, smells, and looks better than at home. And it’s all right on your doorstep.
This is a year-round destination - the Luberon in winter is as beautiful in its way as during the long summer that can stretch from May to October. High above the cares of the world, the house is perfect for a romantic couple (or two) - whether inspired by the ever-changing light or comforted by a roaring log fire. Everything is included in the price of the rental - central heating, electricity, towels, bed linen, logs for the fire, weekly clean.
There are far too many things to do in the Luberon to mention them here, as well as day-trips to Cannes, Monte Carlo, Arles, Aix, the Camargue, Italy, Spain, the Alps, etc.
The price of the rental includes all utilities (gas, electricity, central heating), local phone calls, satellite TV, towels, bedlinen, after-stay clean, and a complimentary weekly clean for stays of more than one week. |
