One of many murals in Carcès that delight locals and visitors alike.
Location: Carces, Provence, France, Europe (45 min E of Aix-en-Provence - 90 min from Nice or Marseille) View Map
Accommodations: House, 4 Bedrooms + Convertible bed(s), 3 Baths (Sleeps 8-10)
Keywords: Provençal Winemaker's House
Our charmingly renovated and furnished 200-year-old village house is perfect for self-catering holidays in non-peak seasons. Out the front door: the conveniences and vitality of a working French village -- including tractors down the main street(!); out the back, an unobstructed view of the countryside from the terrace plus the sound of a waterfall).
Four bedrooms sleep eight comfortably and privately, yet just two will feel cozy, as well. With its small pool and garden with lavender and grapevines, the holiday house, villa, vacation rental, ferienhaus or somerhaus--depending on your language--is an ideal gathering place for friends or family or an idyllic retreat for writers, artists, or academics on sabbatical. Three toilets and shower-rooms/bathrooms (one on each level); sinks in two bedrooms, ceiling fans, fuel-fired central heat (important for off-season holidays!).
The land behind the villa and its enclosed pool includes a small cottage garden. A communal path alongside the potager leads to the river's edge and a nearby waterfall. You will pass through the bountiful gardens maintained by villagers to the edge of the river.
The surrounding French countryside is filled with vineyards.... great biking, kayaking, walking, etc., are within steps. Listen to the waterfall when enjoying meals on the terrace. A local tennis club is available on a per-hour or membership basis to visitors, and horseback riding is available nearby.
You will be living in working village in rural France, not a tourist-crowded monument. Within steps are boulangeries, small shops, cafes, a sophisticated contemporary art gallery, small markets, pharmacies, butchers, banks, post office, five wineries (in town), a traditional Saturday market, and a charming village of around 2500 people who actually like having visitors in town.
You can be as isolated as you wish yet still stroll to the Presse to pick up the Herald-Tribune, then across the street to the café for coffee and a croissant. Daily fresh bread, of course, is right around the corner. Two small groceries and two fresh vegetable stores are steps away. On the outskirts of town is a larger supermarket if you feel the need for a stock-up. Even larger stores are in Brignoles, about 20 minutes away.
Carcès and other picturesque villages nearby offer lively, engaging cultural activities on a regular basis: music concerts in medieval buildings, art openings, flea markets in village squares, market days that have occurred in the same villages on the same days for hundreds of years. Within a few minutes' drive, you will find half a dozen restaurants ranging from local specialties to the highly recommended cuisine that makes the south of France so appealing.
Where in the world is Carcès? Carcès is an unspoiled village in the wine-producing region of Provence. Located in the south of France, half-way between Nice and Marseille just north of the A8 auto route, the village is about an hour and a half from Nice, Marseille, Arles, Avignon; an hour from St. Tropez and the beaches of the Cote d'Azur, to Toulon or Hyeres to the south, an hour from the dramatic Gorges du Verdon to the north.
In just 45 minutes, drive west to Aix-en-Provence to walk in the footsteps of Cezanne. Drive just two hours east for lunch in Italy. Or, stay 'home.' Fishing out the back door; horseback riding down the road; biking in vineyards and through picturesque villages nearby; the Lac de Carcès is within hiking or biking distance. A great location for an ideal accommodation.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer
- Linens Provided
- Garage
- Covered Parking
- Off Street Parking
- Wood Fireplace
- Beds
- Queen Bed
- Double Bed
- Twin/Single Bed (4)
- Convertible Bed
- Crib
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV
- DVD
- VCR
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Music Library
- Private Pool : The pool is small and open from May through September.
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided : Everything from food processor to grill pan.
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Catering Available
- Outdoor Features
- Charcoal BBQ Grill
- Deck/Patio
- Lanai
- Gazebo
- Communications
- Telephone
- Broadband Internet
- WiFi (Wireless Internet)
- Other Amenities
- Fuel-fired central heat, ceiling fans, full kitchen (including dishwasher, convection oven, food processor, dishware, beaucoup de cooking utensils), linens, iron, ironing board. Please limit smoking to the outside, as we are allergic non-smokers
- Suitability
- Pet Friendly
- Kid Friendly
- Minimum Age Limit for Renters
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities
- Golf
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Windsurfing
- Biking
- Cross Country Skiing
- Downhill/Alpine Skiing
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Antiquing
- Live Theatre
- Horseback Riding
- Hiking
- Rock Climbing
- Restaurants
- Museums
- Other Activities
- The Cote d'Azur, Petanque (Boules), Concerts, Sightseeing at Ancient Historical and Religious Sites, Art Openings, We can put you in touch with teachers for private French lessons, private French cooking lessons, You might even be interested in arriving to a home-cooked meal prepared fresh from ingredients purchased at the town's traditional market
Rate Details (In Euros)
SEPT/MAY €1200/wk . €3500/mo | OCT/MAR €800/wk . €2000/mo | APR €900/wk . €3000/mo
NOV/DEC €700/wk . €2000/mo | Christmas/New Year Weeks: €1000/week
JAN/FEB €600/wk . €1500/mo | Discount for +1 month
SUMMER: €1600/wk . Wkly cleaning req'd: €65/wk + €15/person/wk
negotiable w/1+ mo; Damage deposit req. for long stays.
Booking Deposit: 1/2 total rent to confirm dates; 100% refundable less expenses if
booking is replaced. Balance, cleaning, damage deposit due 9 weeks before
arrival. Trip cancellation insurance highly recommmended.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Map & Owner's Profile
Year Purchased: 2002
Why the Owner Chose Carces
We fell in love with Provence during several home exchanges in the area. When we decided to look for our own place, we both wanted a village house, where we could be part of daily life. Neither of us wanted a renovation (no good at that in the States... sure couldn't imagine it in France). Betsy wanted a garden. The intersection of all these desires turned out to be in Carcès.
The Unique Benefits at this House
We love living here because we're so well situated, both in the village and in the region. In addition to our Saturday market in Carcès, we're regulars at the Salernes Sunday market & the Tuesday market in Lorgues or Cotignac. We can be in Nice, Marseille, or even Arles in around 90 minutes. Aix-en-Provence is 45 minutes away. The Cote d'Azur is an hour away. Another of the great things is that there are art and entertainment opportunities occurring close by, as well... from jazz to contemporary art. We're out and about a LOT. We love the climate... even in the hottest weather, the stone walls in our house keep us cool... and in winter, the heat stays inside for the same reason. Amazing.
Owner's Map of Carces
Ken & Betsy live in San Francisco & Carcès.
Ken is a tenured professor of photojournalism at San Francisco State University. Betsy has been a freelance writer, editor and publication designer but now is COE (Chief of EVERYTHING) at Lightscoop point com (see below).
Ken is the author of the textbook "Photojournalism: The Professionals' Approach" and inventor of Professor Kobré's Lightscoop®. The Lightscoop solves UGLY flash problems for most 35mm SLR cameras that have a pop-up flash. Ken also publishes KobreGuide point com, a curated website guide to the Web's best videojournalism.
Betsy is the photojournalism book's designer and editor, plus COE (Chief of EVERYTHING) for Lightscoop point com. Betsy is a pro bono director of HandUp Congo (handupcongo point org). Betsy also is an enthusiastic member of the Fisherman's Wharf Rotary Club in San Francisco. Rotary is an amazing humanitarian organization.
Ken and Betsy also are co-authors of the 7th and 8th editions of another textbook, "Photography," which was based on the original Time/Life series of photography books.
Ken is 65. Betsy is, well, 4 years younger.
Property Photos
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- One of many murals in Carcès that delight locals and visitors alike. - Carces, Provence, France Vacation & Travel - Experience Life in an Unspoiled Village in Provence!
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- View of the back of the house from the garden, by artist Sue Basile. - Carces, Provence, France Vacation & Travel - Experience Life in an Unspoiled Village in Provence!
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- Out the Back: View from the Terrace - Carces, Provence, France Vacation & Travel - Experience Life in an Unspoiled Village in Provence!
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- Roomy salon with working fireplace.
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- Salon detail by watercolorist Karen Russell, organizer of an artists' retreat.
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- Dining room - antique table seats 8-10
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- View from kitchen window by Berenice Pliskin, one of many visiting artists.
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- Master bedroom -- sounds of the waterfall are heard from this room.
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- Upstairs full bath. Smaller 3/4 baths on other two levels.
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- Twin bedroom, front of house. This room has its own sink.
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- Private sink in front twin bedroom.
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- Front double bedroom. Note private sink next to window.
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- Twin bedroom, back of house (a second bed was added after this photo was taken).
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- French Laundry in the garden
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- Artist Ann Crain's interpretation of French Laundry.
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- Spring poppies...
Traveler Reviews (50)
Lovely Home, Lovely Village
Guest: Beth
(Paris)
Date of Stay: 11/18/10
Review Submitted: 07/14/11
I've stayed at this lovely property twice - and can't wait to return. This spacious home is beautifully decorated in Provencal style, fully equipped and comfortably appointed. It's a great space for entertaining or relaxing by the fire. Step outside the front door and you're in a quiet village with shops, restaurants, a contemporary art gallery and terrific Saturday market. The back of the house has countryside views complete with swimming pool, garden with pond and terraces. Beyond that is a river with waterfall. It's a perfect location for exploring Provence and everything it has to offer - whatever the season.
Recommended for:Girls getaway, families with teenagers, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, age 55+, sightseeing, families with young children.
An Extraordinary Home
Guest: Jim and Sue Jenkins
(Madison, WI)
Date of Stay: 11/04/10
Review Submitted: 07/13/11
Betsy and Ken, your home is amazing and we've recommended it to many of our friends and family. I'll never forget how each new room/balcony/pool/garden unfolded to us as we explored the first night, making our way from the front door to the river. It's better in person than it is in the photos above. It would be a fine vacation if you never even left the property! The village of Carces is charming and completely unaffected; it's not "trying to be" a Provencal village, it's just a place where people live and work and farm... amid golden vinyards and Medieval archetecture! And as someone else said, it's darn easy to get used to GOOD $4 wine... picked around the corner and bottled down the block.
Recommended for:Girls getaway, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, age 55+, pet owners, sightseeing.
Wonderful home base for discovering Provence
Guest: Alexa & Brian
(Ontario, Canada)
Date of Stay: 03/23/11
Review Submitted: 06/11/11
We spent 3 weeks here, and were happy to discover that we had picked a great location for our holiday. Betsy & Ken's charming home had everything we needed - we can't say enough about the beautiful terrace where we ate meals, read, drank the local wine and just enjoyed the view, accompanied by the sound of the river rushing by at the end of the gardens. It was so nice to be able to walk to the centre of the village in a few minutes to pick up any basics or have a meal. The market day there is great fun and we were able to see many other towns and their markets, all within a 30 to 45 minute drive. Longer trips, to Antibes or Aix for example were facilitated by the autoroute, which is just 30 minutes away. In spite of our limited and very rusty french we were delighted to find that everyone was friendly and helpful. Our time in Carces was terrific !
Recommended for:Girls getaway, families with teenagers, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, age 55+, pet owners, sightseeing.
Lovely home in center of village of Carces
Guest: Joan
(Prescott AZ)
Date of Stay: 10/18/10
Review Submitted: 05/21/11
Your home is beautiful and so comfortable. The furnishings are very French and lovely - just what we had hoped for. The in town location was perfect - we walked each morning to the center of town to buy fresh croissants and breads and pastries and to the wineries with our empty bottles to be filled with the local wines. The central location was perfect - we walked everywhere! The tiny pizza restaurant had the best pizzas and mussels ever! We are two couples who travel together often and your place was perfect - spaces outside and in to spread out. We loved the local market and cheese shops. Tiny charming village, friendly people. We stayed in town one day and traveled the next throughout our two weeks. The rental car with GPS was great for finding our way around Provence. Not sure we would have found the museums, galleries and coastal cities without it! We would love to return.
Recommended for:
Guest: Jack and Jane1
(Hilo, Hawaii, USA)
Date of Stay: 05/04/09
Review Submitted: 05/04/09
Dear Betsy, We are so late in writing to tell you what an incredible time we had at your fabulous house in Carces...somehow we thought it was further out in the countryside. But when we discovered that the house is right in the middle of Carces, we were estatic. We drove into the garage and really felt like we were residents of the town. It took an hour to explore the house from the wine cellar to the third floor. We wished that our friends who had travelled down the Nievernais Canal with could join us. What a perfect house for a group. We loved the bright colors, completely supplied kitchen and fireplace. Did not get to enjoy the pool, but took walks in every direction. Loved the waterfall in the back of the house, through the garden, past grapes and olives growing. The view from the terrace is one that is burned in our memories...a picture of what we expected Provence to be. Merci Beaucoup. We will return someday.
Recommended for:
Guest: Sharon Reed-Miller
(San Marcos TX)
Date of Stay: 04/22/09
Review Submitted: 04/22/09
Where do I start to explain the pleasant experience of staying within the four walls known as Betsy & Ken's place in Provence? We were there January, February & March 2009. The house is extremely livable and comfortable, with a wonderful kitchen, and there was room to entertain guests. My favorite aspect, though, had to be the sunrises that we experienced most mornings through the master bedroom window. That alone, for me, was worth the rental price. And I would be remiss if I did not mention the bookshelves---many gems to enjoy and we read several while we were there. The village is charming & the locals extremely friendly and welcoming and not one made us feel inadequate because we spoke no French. This doesn't mean we didn't try with help from Google translate to, at least, use written notes. Another plus is that there are numerous wonderful day trips within range of the house. We have already recommended this rental to friends. It was a memorable experience to stay in this home and my husband can't stop talking about it. Thank you for sharing your lovely home.
Recommended for:
Guest: Nik O'Flynn
(London, UK)
Date of Stay: 11/07/08
Review Submitted: 11/07/08
What a lovely house! It was so refreshing to turn up somewhere that looks better than the pictures! And all the little homely touches, like tea bags, basic food and every spice imaginable in the kitchen, made life so much easier from the minute we got there. Having the towels provided and the beds pre-made was also great for us as we travelled with three children, so it saved bags of time when we got there. House was beautiful - we all fell in love with it. It was great to explore, decorated simlar to my own house(!) and had useful things like novels, French phrase books and games to play. Garden was great too. Only prob was the pool was unheated. Probably not a problem in the summer but very, very cold when we tried it out on on one unseasonably warm day during our stay in late October. Never mind, we weren't expecting the weather to be warm enough for us to use it anyway.
Recommended for:
Guest: juli davis
(erie p[a)
Date of Stay: 10/25/08
Review Submitted: 10/25/08
We had a wonderful time at your Carces home. it had everything we needed to make it our home away from home.Not to mention the view off the back porch was wonderful especially in the morning. One that I will not soon forget. the village was charming and so close to many wineries and other charming villages like Cotignac which we also loved. All I can say is thank you for helping us make this a trip of a life time. juli
Recommended for:
Guest: Jerry Lazar
(Los Angeles, CA)
Date of Stay: 09/24/08
Review Submitted: 09/24/08
Wow, what a wonderful two weeks! Where to begin? My son (11) and I found this delightful house to be the perfect location for pleasures near and very near. It's around the corner from Carces' quaint main street, where you can shop for all your produce and baked goods. (We even got our hair cut there, tout en francais!) The local residents are helpful and friendly. There's so much to see and do on foot in this quiet, charming village -- visit wineries and medieval castles, watch or play boule (petanque), enjoy street markets (and even a street carnival while we were there). It's a short pleasant drive to tour castles and abbeys, paddleboat and swim at the Gorge du Verdon, go hiking and kayaking, explore scenic waterfalls, and so much more. Don't miss the street markets and splendor of neighboring towns (Contignac, Entrecasteaux, Mustier). You're centrally located between the amazing cities of Aix and Nice (each a day trip), and we managed to squeeze in the port city of Marseilles (world's best bouillabaisse), and the fabled town and exquisite beach of St. Tropez (where my son got his first opportunity to observe how men and women air their differences). And still we had time for leisurely strolls, and lounging in cafes while sipping citroen presses or eating glacees, and soaking up the entire incomparable Var experience. We are grateful that we had such an amazing house to come home to every day -- big and spacious and centrally located. It is beautifully decorated, extremely comfortable, and completely equipped with all modern conveniences. We especially loved dining in the afternoons on the lovely backyard terrace next to the canal, and evenings on the balcony with an incredible view. All in all, an extraordinary experience and magnificent vacation. We're sorry we didn't have time to visit Arles -- but we had to leave something for next trip!
Recommended for:
Guest: Mark Spiegel and Faith Rafkind
(Cambridge, MA)
Date of Stay: 09/12/08
Review Submitted: 09/12/08
Betsy,A belated write-up of our wonderful time at your house. As you know we enjoyed staying there so much that extended our stay by four days when we found there was an ”opening.” The house and garden were magical. The month we spent was occupied with trips to the surrounding villages all around, including some longer excursions. We found your house a perfect base of operations and when we did not feel like venturing forth, we had the lovely sitting areas inside and outside of the house to relax in. All in all, we would return in a minute and recommend the house to others.
Recommended for:
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #15118
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