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Mas des Chenes is a charming restored 18th century bergerie/farmhouse beautifully situated in a residential area on the edge of the picturesque Provencal village, Ansouis, listed as one of France’s most beautiful villages.
The 1.7 hectare property is nestled in the valley of the Southern Luberon mountains, next to Cote de Luberon vineyards,ten minutes to the charming market villages of Lourmarin and Curcuron and only 25 min. to Aix en Provence and one hour to the beaches of Cassis.
Summers in Provence can be hot, but our 9 x 12 meter swimming pool will ensure you keep cool. With more than four acres of grounds filled with centenary oak, cypress, poplar and olive trees there are many shaded areas to relax when outside the pool. In the front of the house, a stone courtyard with a barbecue and seating for 10, allows for bright outdoor breakfasts and evening meals. We usually eat our lunches at the tree shaded teak table overlooking swimming pool to the rear of the house.
A 200 year old oak tree shades another ample outdoor table lit by a hanging lantern in the evenings. The grounds include hidden corners for quiet reading, lounge chairs by the pool, space for playing ball and walks by the vineyards bordering the property.
Within easy access are pastimes including biking, tennis, hiking, horseback riding and golf. Every day of the week boasts another market in a nearby village for fresh produce and traditional Provencal goods. Exceptional local vineyards and award winning restaurants abound for the discerning palate.
Mas des Chenes is a Non Smoking three bedroom property (1 double bed, 1 queen bed, 2 singles) with two bathrooms and a guest toilet. As you enter our home, you first see the vaulted dining room with a large window opening to the back of the property and seating for 10. To the right is a large eat-in kitchen with a 'Bocuse' gas stove and electric oven, American double fridge/freezer and dishwasher. To the rear is the guest toilet, laundry room with washer, dryer and drinks fridge and back exit to the pool area.
The double living room with comfortable upholstered couches and armchairs, colorful cushions, French boutis and antique French furniture is a comfortable area to watch DVD's in the evenings. A stereo and large stone fireplace are located in the back sitting room/studio room (Painting easel included); we have also included our collection of summer reading in English and French and family games for our guests enjoyment.
From the sitting room you climb a set of stairs to the first floor which includes two bathrooms, three exceptionally light double bedrooms and a sitting/study area with a pull out couch, total sleeping to accommodate eight.
Every effort is made for relaxed charm in light and comfortable accommodation. The two hundred year old thick stone walls keep the house cool in the heat of the summer. Air conditioning would be redundant.
Location: Ansouis’ is known by outsiders for its centuries old chateau and by locals for its fabulous restaurant, vineyard and ice cream maker. The village bakery, café, post office, newspaper shop, small grocery market, and hairdresser, cover daily needs. Aix en Provence,with its annual music and dance festivals, cinemas, markets and cosmopolitan shopping is a twenty minute drive away. Ansouis is also minutes away for the charming villages of Lourmarin and Curcuron with their own unique shops and restaurants and weekly markets. Ansouis also has a local market on Sundays where one can find anything from sumptous roasted chickens to the local cheeses, melons, olives and wines.
The Aix TGV station, 25 minutes away, allows for easy access by train (only 2.5 hours from Paris). The international airport of Marseilles is a forty minute drive. Avignon, home to the world renowned international summer theater festival, is a 45 minute drive to the west.
Easy access by train (Aix en Provence TGV 25 minutes by car from the house and 2.5 hours from Paris), airport (Marseilles, 40 minutes by car) and other cosmopolitan centers (Nice 3 hours, Avignon 45 minutes by car), country setting within walking distance of listed village and 10 minute drive to at fabulous restaurants(including the best homemade ice cream outside of Italy).
GUESTS COMMENTS: "Had a superb time, three weeks of heaven." June, 2003
"We had visited Provence before, but this has been one of the best. Mas des Chenes has been a superb base from which to explore the wonderful countryside." August, 2004.
"Absolutely wonderful stay, villa was excellent, fabulous location and countryside." September, 2004
"We could fill this book with praises for your beautiful home and the wonderful holiday we have enjoyed here." August, 2004
"Mas des Chenes felt like a real home from the moment we arrived, the country kitchen, the lovely pool and gardens... we had a great time." July, 2005
"We wanted to say a very belated thanks for offering such a lovely house for our summer holiday. It was perfect. The pool area, absolutely gorgeous. We were hard pressed to extricate ourselves from the comfy chairs. We appreciated the level of comfort you provided-the proper towels and so many other little things that made a real difference. Yours is the one house we would like to come back to..." August, 2007 |
