Location: Carces, Provence, France, Europe (45 min E of Aix-en-Provence - 90 min from Nice or Marseille)
Accommodations: Provençal Winemaker's House, 4 Bedrooms + Convertible bed(s), 3 Baths (Sleeps 8-10)
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 east to Aix-en-Provence to walk in the footsteps of Cezanne. Drive just two hours 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 (on site and nearby)
- Golf
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Windsurfing
- Biking
- Cross Country Skiing
- Downhill/Alpine Skiing
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Rock Climbing
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Antiquing
- Live Theatre
- Museums
- Horseback Riding
- 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)
SEP, MAY: €1500/wk .. €4000/mo | OCT & MAR-APR: €850/wk .. €3000/mo
NOV, DEC: € 700/wk .. €2000/mo | Christmas/New Year Weeks: €1000/week
JAN, FEB: € 600/wk .. €1600/mo | 10% discount for 3 weeks; more for 1+ mo.
SUMMER: €1600/wk .. Wkly cleaning req'd: €45/wk + €12/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.
Owner's Profile
Owner Description
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 of Lightscoop.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 the KobreGuide, (KobreGuide.com), a curated guide to the Web's best videojournalism.
Betsy is the photojournalism book's designer and editor, plus COE (Chief of EVERYTHING) for Lightscoop.com. Betsy is a pro bono director of HandUp Congo (handupcongo.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 63. Betsy is, well, 4 years younger.
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 of this Provençal Winemaker's 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. We can be in Nice, Marseille, or even Arles in around 90 minutes. Aix-en-Provence is 45 minutes away. We're out and about a LOT. We love the weather... 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.
Property Photos
- Dining room - antique table seats 8-10 - Carces, Provence, France Vacation & Travel - Experience Life in an Unspoiled Village in Provence!
- Roomy living area - Carces, Provence, France Vacation & Travel - Experience Life in an Unspoiled Village in Provence!
- Master bedroom - Carces, Provence, France Vacation & Travel - Experience Life in an Unspoiled Village in Provence!
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #15118
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Date last modified - November 24, 2009


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