Location: Arles, Provence, France, Europe
Accommodations: Townhouse, 3 Bedrooms + Library, 2 Baths (Sleeps 6-8)
This vacation townhouse is located in the charming, friendly and sophisticated Provencal town of Arles, which has an exciting contemporary culture that co-exists with a rich ancient history and beautiful architecture, including Roman ruins still in use for music events and even bullfights.
The townhouse is located on a quiet side street in the old LaRoquette neighborhood in the city center, with lantern street lights and carved statutes in niches on the corner houses. Open the large, heavy antique wooden door and enter the first floor’s spacious open-plan living room with the dining area separated from the roomy kitchen by a counter wall.
The townhouse is tastefully decorated and the living areas causally furnished with the best features being the stone walls and exposed wooden beams on the 12-foot ceilings. The townhouse has stone arches and stone circular stairs that indicate its age as pre-17th century.
The living room has a very comfortable sitting area with modern couch and chairs and a very efficient ceiling fan overhead. The hardwood dining table can expand to seat 10 persons. The kitchen is fully equipped with a full sized refrigerator, gas stove with oven, microwave, coffeemaker toaster and dishwasher. Ample dishes, cups, silverware, cooking utensils, pots and pans are provided.
At the top of the circular stone stairs on the second floor is the large library that likewise has a 12-foot ceiling and wonderful ceiling fan. Two 10-feet tall French windows grace this spacious room and provide shutters to cool the room from the sunny days -- 300 out of 365 days per year. This room has desk space with internet hookup and a quaint fireplace, with terra cotte tiled floor. There is a comfortable double sofa bed for two in this room. Down the hall is the first of two renovated full bathrooms. This one has a tub with shower and modern fixtures. It is located near the second bedroom on this floor which also has a 12-foot ceiling and ceiling fan over a most-comfortable double bed, dresser, nightstands and lamps for reading before bed.
Continue up the circular stairs to the third floor and you find the lovely master bedroom with comfortable double bed and again two French windows with shutters. This room is air-conditioned and carpeted. It has a dresser, long benches, bedside tables and light fixtures. The full bath on this floor has a roomy walk-in shower and modern fixtures. It is next to the cozy bedroom with two twin-sized beds, nightstands and lamps.
On the fourth floor is the terrace room with washing machine and clothes drying racks. This leads to the private terrace that overlooks the rooftops of Arles and gives a vista for miles away. It provides comfortable dining in the evenings with a grill and cart provided.
Linens (towels and bedding) are provided on request for a small charge. There is free on-street parking (be careful of the signs, especially for the Wednesday and Saturday markets) as well as covered 24-hour municipal parking for a reasonable price. The Marseille and Montpellier international airports are each a one-hour drive away, and the Nimes airport is only 12 miles away.
In the summer, Provence is alive with dance, music, theater, and folklore festivals. (The Gypsy Kings hail from Arles.) Arles hosts an exciting international photography festival in early July, and photography exhibits throughout the year. If you are a history buff or art enthusiast, in this city famous for its Roman theatre and arena, you will walk the same streets as the Roman Gauls, the Visigoths and the artists Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cézanne, and Picasso.
One has to walk just steps to enjoy charming local cafés and restaurants offering fine dining, as well as clothing and specialty shops. The selection of good and inexpensive local wines adds to the flavor of Arles. The nearby pedestrian boulevard leads to the active nightlife at the Place du Forum with many night spots and bright lights against the sky where“Le Café du Nuit” of Van Gogh’s famous 1888 painting is still open for business in the lively square. When you see the local fields of sunflowers, you will know why he painted them. Browse the crowded Wednesday and Saturday morning markets that stretch the full length of the main boulevard, or stroll the ramparts along the Rhone River that wind around the outskirts of the old city.
Arles is conveniently located as a great home base to take day trips to Avignon, le Pont du Gard, Uzes, Les Baux de Provence, Aix-en-Provence, St. Remy de Provence, the Luberon, Carcassone, Marseille, etc., and to explore within easy driving distance the charming towns, villages, vineyards, wineries and sights of Provence that should not be missed. There is a railway station about 10 minutes walk from the townhouse as an alternative means of traveling to these places. Only a short drive brings you to the Carmargue, a national nature preserve which can be visited on horseback tours readily available, and to the beautiful Mediterranean beaches at pretty Saintes Maries de la Mer, only 35 minutes drive from Arles.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Air Conditioning: AC unit in master bedroom, ceiling fans in most rooms
- Washer
- Linens Provided
- Beds
- Double Bed (2)
- Twin/Single Bed (2)
- Convertible Bed: Double bed size, unfolds easily, comfortable mattress
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV
- DVD
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator: Full-size
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Outdoor Features
- Charcoal BBQ Grill
- Deck/Patio
- Communications
- Broadband Internet
- Suitability
- Pet Friendly
- Kid Friendly
- Smoking Allowed
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Sailing
- Boating
- Waterskiing
- Jet Skiing
- Swimming
- Snorkeling/Diving
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Antiquing
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Live Theatre
- Museums
- Horseback Riding
Rate Details (In Euros)
Apr-Sep .. €950/week.
Oct-Mar .. €850/week.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Property Photos
- Facade of the house - Arles, France Vacation House Rental
- master bedroom - Arles, France Vacation House Rental
- Kitchen - Arles, France Vacation House Rental
- rooftop terrace
- ground floor open-plan living room
Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #128269
There have been 13902 visitors to this page since the counter was last reset in 2007.
This listing was first published here in 2007.
Date last modified - October 07, 2009
