Location: Lourmarin, Luberon Area, Provence, France, Europe (Less than an hour to Aix, Arles,Avignon & Marseille airport)
Accommodations: Apartment, 1 Bedroom + Convertible bed(s), 1 Bath (Sleeps 2-4)
Le Petit Reve, our pied a terre, is truly our dream come true--a comfortable, modern apartment lovingly furnished to harmonize with the Provencal location, yet provide convenience and affordability.
Lourmarin has great cafes, tea rooms and restaurants, but there's a small well-equipped kitchen in the apartment with an open plan that has enough space to prepare your own food--if you want to! In the living-dining room, there's a sliding door to a small terrace where you can dine al fresco on warm days. The bedroom has lots of storage space for your clothes--after all, we live here, too! And the bathroom is large and modern with a full-size tub, shower, sink/vanity and towel warmer. The toilet is in a separate room, which the French call "Le Petit Coin".
There are lots of wonderful books in both English and French and CDs to enjoy in your free time (if you have any); and a collection of foreign movies (French and Italian) with English subtitles, plus a few Woody Allen DVDs for variety.
(There's also a TV for viewing French programs).
We have a computer in the apartment so you can access your email or surf the net if you like; and we have added a land line that can be used at no charge for local calls and for long distance calls to the US, Canada and most other European countries.
Parking is on level ground and right near our building. There are supermarkets and discount stores out of town, but you don't actually have to leave town to find whatever you might need. Two grocery stores and a great bakery are a short walk away. You'll find a tea room, several specialty shops and pharmacy right around the corner.
We are an American couple currently living in Upstate New York. Originally from New York City, we moved to "the country" in 1971, to a farmhouse where we could enjoy a flower and vegetable garden, rural scenery and fresh air. Not content to stay put, though, we have traveled to Europe as much as we could afford over the past 44 years, especially to Italy and France.
When we discovered Lourmarin a few years ago, we knew we had to come back again and again. This part of France had the added plus of having an Italian flavor--literally and figuratively. Don't forget--olive oil is better for your health than butter!
If visiting France only means "Paris" to you, you should check out this part of the country. Lourmarin, in particular, is friendly and receptive to tourists. It has its own chateau, with wonderful concerts in summer. There are several excellent art galleries and boutiques--and gourmet restaurants. It also has one of the best outdoor markets in all of Provence. It will take you exactly one minute to get to this market, which happens year round, every Friday.
From our apartment you can easily walk to your choice of beautiful country roads to admire the olive trees, cherry orchards and vineyards. There are also dozens of wonderful little villages to discover that are 10 minutes to a half hour away by car.
But again, we think Lourmarin is exceptionally attractive and easy to negotiate, and the best village in Provence! Indeed, it has been designated one of the most beautiful villages in France. Albert Camus loved it too. (He's buried in the local cemetery).
We took the plunge and bought this apartment in the summer of 2006. It's primarily for us, but we would be glad to share it with others who would appreciate the opportunity to really live in France--if only for a week or two!
In Le Petit Reve, you'll find our Welcome Handbook, containing comprehensive information on the apartment and the surrounding area , along with a copy of "Provence Byways" and many other guidebooks. In addition, the Lourmarin Tourist Office is two minutes from Le Petit Reve. We also have an English-speaking friend who lives 10 minutes away who is available to help you find anything you might need in the area.
In November 2009, travel writers James Martin and Martha Bakerjian spent a week in our apartment. To find the blog, detailing seven days of adventures in our part of the world, do a search for A Week in Provence James Martin.
And do feel free to email or phone us for more information!
Credit card payments are accepted via Paypal, or you may pay by personal check if you are a US resident.
PLEASE CHECK OUR CALENDAR SEE AVAILABLE DATES.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer: Washing machine in kitchen
- Linens Provided: We also provide soap, detergent, toilet paper, paper towels, etc.
- Elevator
- Beds
- Queen Bed
- Convertible Bed: queen size sofa bed
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV
- DVD
- Video Library: Many French and Italian movies with subtitles in English
- CD Player (2)
- Music Library
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided: Many herbs and spices, oil and vinegar, etc. also provided.
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Outdoor Features
- Balcony
- View/Location
- Mountain View: Mountains can be seen from terrace
- Communications
- Telephone: Land line in living room; free local calls in France
- Free Long Distance: Free long distance calls to USA (except Alaska and Hawaii), to Canada, and to Europe
- Computer: Laptop computer for connecting to the internet(see below).
- WiFi (Wireless Internet): Laptop computer available to access the internet at no charge
- Other Amenities
- Full size modern bathtub and shower, (including shower curtain), separate room for toilet, large collection of English, French and bi-lingual books,
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Handicapped Accessible (may have limitations)
- Wheelchair Accessible (may have limitations)
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Swimming
- Biking
- Hiking
- Rock Climbing
- Antiquing
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Museums
- Miniature golf
- Horseback Riding
- Other Activities
- Outstanding outdoor market every Friday is around the corner from our apartment, free internet, free local calls, free long distance telephone calls to USA, Europe and Canada
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
$815/week November-March; $840/week April-October [rates are for 1 or 2 people]
Stays beginning and ending on Saturday or Sunday preferred, but not required. The
The minimum stay is 5 nights ($700/5 nights;$810/6 nights)
While we think Le Petit Reve is most comfortable for just two people,
We will consider renting to a party of 3 or 4--rates to be determined.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Credit Cards Accepted:
Owner's Profile
Year Purchased: 2006
Property Photos
- Lourmarin: One of the Most Beautiful Villages in France - Provence Apartment Rental
- - Provence Apartment Rental
- - Provence Apartment Rental
- Lourmarin's Chateau
Guest Comments (13)
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #135405
There have been 10491 visitors to this page since the counter was last reset in 2007.
This listing was first published here in 2007.
Date last modified - November 17, 2009
Positive Rating
Terry & Carol Eikenbery , Virginia US
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, Sacramento, CA
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Just a note to say how much Nancy and I enjoyed your home in Lourmarin for a couple of weeks. I can see why you enjoy this village so much. One of the cafe's we especially enjoyed was The Maison Cafe - next to the grocery. Of course, the bakery and the ice cream shop as well. The Chateau is wonderful and such a beautiful view from various sites around the village. The art piece you have on the living room wall - over the futon - we purchased that same piece. We were able to meet the artist Isirdi and he signed/dated our piece. Very happy to have it here in my home in Charlotte. I picked it up Friday after having it dry mounted and framed. A very nice rememberance of Lourmarin. Your village and home are both beautiful. Thank you.
Positive Rating
Judy Solomon , Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY
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Monique Doyle ,
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We have arrived home from our travels after having a most interesting and enjoyable trip. We certainly enjoyed our stay in Lourmarin--your apartment, the village, the history, the market and the surrounding countryside. Thank you for the use of your apartment, it was very comfortable and well-equipped: your directions to Lourmarin and the information folder were very much appreciated. We would like to return some time.
Positive Rating
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Hello Judith, Phil and I . . .have been in your lovely apartment since last Friday, May 30. Your book of instructions has answered all of our questions. The apartment is so well stocked that there is nothing that we have needed. It is a great place, we love it!. . .thank you for sharing your petit reve with us, it really is a dream. Thank you and best regards, Marlene Dear Judith, We are home now and remembering all the wonderful things that we saw and while on our trip. Phil and I both agree that this was probably the best trip we have ever been on. I think that having an apartment for a week in three of the places that we visited was actually one of the reasons that the trip was so good. Not having to pack and unpack a lot and being able to stay put in one place while we day tripped is a great advantage in overseas travel. It is definitely, at least for us, the only way to go from now on. In addition to the convenience of the apartment we also loved being able to grocery shop where the natives go and enjoy home cooking. I know we ate better and certainly enjoyed it more and of course the added benefit of saving money by eating in allowed us to buy more placemats! Best regards, Marlene [please note: this couple has offered to speak by phone to anyone considering renting our apartment]
Positive Rating
Vacation was wonderful and your apartment and charming town were, as well. We truly enjoyed our day trips and coming home to your place to relax.
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We had the most wonderful time in and around Lourmarin. It was even better than we'd expected and apart from a trip to Avignon and a longer trip to some friends near Toulon we just enjoyed pottering about in and around the Luberon district, visiting Roussillon, Gordes and the Bories, Lauris, Cadenet, Bonnieus, Lacoste and others I can't remember. All were lovely and had their own character but we felt really lucky that we had struck gold with Lourmarin as it truly is exceptional and has the best shops, restaurants and general atmosphere. Market day was the most wonderful experience with all the bustle of the stalls and different types of live music playing throughout the town. We were delighted with your comfortable apartment and all the furnishings and amenities it offered. It was very conveniently located for parking and for the town and we very much enjoyed the small part of the day we weren't gadding about, having breakfast, getting ready to go out for the evening and returning after a nice meal. It was treated very much with the respect it deserved and we were very careful to leave it clean and tidy. We hope, one day to return and will certainly spread the word and recommend it to our friends.