Location: Buisson, Provence, France, Europe (9 Kms from Vaison-La-Romaine, 45 Min North of Avignon)
Accommodations: House, 4 Bedrooms + No additional sleeping rooms avail, 2 Baths (Sleeps 7)
Keywords: Maison du Village, a 200-year-old cottage in the heart of a small village. A typical French village house.
Hello and welcome to our home in Buisson, one of the loveliest villages in the heart of the famed wine region of the Côtes du Rhône.
This is a place to relax, cast aside the stresses of everyday life and enjoy a more luxurious pace. Sit in the sun with a good book, stroll down quiet country lanes or on paths cut through vineyards, and soak up the peace and tranquility of Provence. Eat well, shop the justly famous Provencal markets and quaint brocantes and soak up the charm that has attracted artists, travelers and writers for generations.
The Knights Templar built Buisson at the top of a hill, overlooking a long valley, between the peaks of the Dentelles de Montmarail mountains and the towering Mount Ventoux. Today, Buisson retains all the traditions and character of Provencal village life, with colorful nearby markets, an appreciation for nature, and access to a variety of sports and the outdoors. The annual Tour de France passes nearby each year and the entire region is a magnet for serious cyclists.
There are paths for leisurely hikes around the village and between villages, or more challenging hikes in the mountains. There is biking on flat country lanes between vineyards or up the challenging roads of Mont Ventoux. There is kayaking on the nearby Sorgue, the Ardeche, the Rhone, and the Gard where you can paddle under the ancient Roman aquaduct of the Pont du Gard.
Many of the best markets in Provence are within a few minutes of our home. In summer, we are surrounded by art with festivals that include dance in the Roman amphitheatre of Vaison, jazz in the Roman arena in Orange, theatre in Avignon, opera in Aix-en-Provence, photography in Arles, and some form of entertainment in every village in between.
Within 15 minutes of our home are the world-renowned wine villages of the Côtes du Rhône -- Vinsobres, Cairanne, Gigondas, Vacquereyas, Beaumes-des-Venise, Chateauneau-du-Pape and Tavel. We are 30 minutes to the Luberon, made famous by Peter Mayles, and 60-75 minutes from Marseilles and the beaches of the Cotes d'Azur.
Built in 1810, our comfortable 4-bedroom house is stone with rose-colored shutters. It is both spacious and cozy, with a living room, dining area, kitchen, four bedrooms and modern baths. It has a secluded roof terrace for taking your morning coffee or watching the swallows swooping overhead a sunset.
Bakeries, shops, markets and restaurants are only a 5-minute drive from our house, with a farmer who sells fresh vegetables within walking distance. Villedieu, with three restaurants on its ancient, shady square, is a 3-kilometer drive through olive orchards, lavender fields and vineyards.
The LIVING ROOM, which seats 5 - 6 people, is furnished with cushy, upholstered furniture for conversations or reading. The house is equipped with a comfortable work desk and high-speed, broadband Internet, if you bring your laptop. We have a good selection of English and French books, as well as a wood burning fireplace next to the dining table where you can relax over a home cooked meal and a glass of local wine. During the summer, most people in the village put a small table in the street outside their front door to enjoy breakfast or an early evening aperitif, and we have the tables and chairs for you to do the same.
The KITCHEN is fully equipped with: an electric stove top, combination oven/grill/microwave, refrigerator and freezer, coffeemaker, toaster, pots, pans and all kitchen utensils, Limoges china plates, cups, glasses and cutlery. Behind the kitchen is a clothes washer, although for environmental and aesthetic reasons we dry our clothes outdoors in the sun.
The comfortable BEDROOMS include: The MASTER BEDROOM has a queen-size bed (60'' x 80'', a wall of closets and lighting set up for reading. The YELLOW ROOM has 2 twin beds (38'' x 75''), which can easily be pushed together for a couple. The BLUE ROOM has a single twin bed, desk and printer. The new terrace bedroom on the third floor has a double bed and its own ensuite bath.
The second-floor bathroom lies between the three bedrooms, tiled floor-to-ceiling in blue glass mosaic tiles, with a roomy, shower, sink, ample lighting, hair dryer and heater. Fresh towels are provided, as well as soft Italian linens for all rooms.
This is a simple, charming, comfortable home for a couple or a family in a lovely, quiet village where you can still find the old Provence.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer
- Linens Provided : High quality, carefully chosen Italian and French linens and towels.
- Covered Parking : Sheltered parking along the 13th century wall, about 20 steps from the front door
- Wood Fireplace : Two fireplaces on first floor; grapevines provided for burning.
- Beds
- Queen Bed : New bed, perfect for couple; quiet bedroom
- Double Bed
- Twin/Single Bed (3)
- Entertainment
- CD Player
- Music Library
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen : Fully stocked and ready for cooking. Plenty of antique china for setting a pretty table to dine.
- Cooking Utensils Provided : Fully stocked with everything needed to prepare a meal.
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Outdoor Features
- Lanai : Completely private roof terrace,suitable for long, leisurely reading beneath the parasol. Outdoor shower on roof terrace for hot summer afternoons.
- Communications
- Telephone
- Free Long Distance
- Broadband Internet : Excellent high speed broadband if you bring your laptop, and a wireless router for working from anywhere in the house
- WiFi (Wireless Internet)
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Kid Friendly
- Minimum Age Limit for Renters : 5 years of age because of the stairs
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities
- Golf
- Shopping
- Kayaking
- Swimming
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Fishing
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Antiquing
- Live Theatre
- Horseback Riding
- Hot Air Ballooning
- Hiking
- Rock Climbing
- Restaurants
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Museums
- Other Activities
- Wine tasting and touring Cotes du Rhone vineyards, cooking schools, language lessons, guided hiking in mountains of the Drome, Provencal markets, antique fairs and brocantes. 30 minutes to Isle sur la Sorgue. 45 minutes from Avignon. Summer arts festivals, Vaison la Romain dance, Avignon Theatre, Orange Jazz, Aix en Provence Opera, Arles Photography, music and concerts everywhere.
Rate Details (In Euros)
2012 RATES
March, April.... €900/week + cleaning fee
May, June, July, August, September ............ €1,050/week + cleaning fee
Oct, Nov, Dec ... €900/week + cleaning fee
Longer-term rentals available; inquire about rates.
Minimum one-week stay. Discounts on longer stays.
Security deposit or VRBO insurance coverage required.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Owner's Profile
Owner Description
Year Purchased: 2007
I'm a former foreign correspondent, now based in Texas who bought this house as a family retreat. I live in it 3-4 months a year and rent it in between. Consequently, when you stay here, it feels more like staying in the home of a friend than a rental.
Why the Owner Chose Buisson
I lived in Avignon 25 years ago and worked in Paris for a decade so knew this to be one of the most spectacular corners of an utterly beautiful country. Provence is justly famous for its fabulous food and wine, the rich cultural life of its villages, the beauty of the land and the warmth of the people.There are roads to hike, rivers to kayak, markets to visit, and villages worth seeing all around. When it came time to buy a home overseas, there was no reason to be anywhere else and we love sharing this "corner of Paradise" with the travelers who come to visit. It is a short drive to Avignon, an even shorter drive to Vaison la Romaine and Nyons and easily accessible by train, plane or car.
The Unique Benefits of this House
Visiting French friends, getting to know the people of the village and life here, relaxing to the sound of the fountain on the place, dining by the fireplace and, in the summer, seeing world-class dance, theater, music and photography all around.
Property Photos
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- La Maison Rose. Your spacious, cozy home in Provence. - Northern Provence Vacation House, Close to Vineyards, and Places to Hike or Shops to Visit.
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- The vineyards and lavender fields around the village - Northern Provence Vacation House, Close to Vineyards, and Places to Hike or Shops to Visit.
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- A living room for reading and conversation - Northern Provence Vacation House, Close to Vineyards, and Places to Hike or Shops to Visit.
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- Yellow Room, one of four bedrooms, with twin beds.
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- Master Bedroom with comfy queen size beds and ample closets
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- The kitchen, small, pretty, practical
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- A desk for your laptop, with wifi and printer.
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- The nearby Dentelles de Monmirail, hikers paradise.
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- Dentelles in spring. Breathtaking.
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- Market day in nearby Nyons. Markets are everywhere!
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- Second floor landing. Summer.
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- Checking the time on the clock tower from the yellow bedroom.
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- With the windows open, this fountain can be heard quietly throughout the house.
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- Same fountain, village place.
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- Entrance to Buisson, surrounded by vines.
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- At one of the exits to our village.
Traveler Reviews (6)
Wonderful Cottage
Guest: Anna & Jan
(Australia)
Date of Stay: 09/25/10
Review Submitted: 12/16/10
The pictures of this cottage are exactly as described. The cottage and rooms were very welcoming with lots of little things that really made us feel at home. The geographic location of the village itself is central to many sites that interested us though you will need a car to get to them. The only downside for us was that there was no little cafe, bar or bread shop to walk to from the cottage - that would have made everything totally perfect instead of almost perfect.
Recommended for:Families with teenagers, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, age 55+.
A Perfect Honeymoon Destination
Guest: Meg
(New York)
Date of Stay: 10/12/09
Review Submitted: 09/07/10
My husband and I spent one week of our honeymoon at this cheery house in Buisson. The home, which was perfectly appointed with Provencal decorations, was a wonderful place to relax, read my book and enjoy the company of my husband – especially after all the busy activities of our wedding. Located in the heart of the Cote du Rhone, we thoroughly enjoyed Buisson's surrounding vineyards and took in the local cuisine and shopping. The house was equipped for easy cooking, although since Buisson is so well situated for day/afternoon trips, we took full advantage. We visited Vaisson, Aix en Provence, Arles and the extant Roman theater wall in Orange. The owner also had a number of helpful brochures and maps to help guide our adventures. The fields and towns surrounding the village were so beautiful that at times it felt like we were in the middle of an impressionist painting. Overall, this romantic destination was the perfect honeymoon destination! I’m ready to go back!
Recommended for:Girls getaway, families with teenagers, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, age 55+, sightseeing.
Spectacular Home
Guest: Michael
(Ithaca, NY)
Date of Stay: 06/26/10
Review Submitted: 08/24/10
Buisson has to be one of the most beautiful places in the world. It was the opposite of our usual fast-paced and high-stress lifestyle and your charming home was a wonderful place to relax. Thank you for your hospitality and all your help that made the whole trip so much easier.
Recommended for:Girls getaway, families with teenagers, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, age 55+, sightseeing.
A beautiful week
Guest: Sue
(Philadelphia, PA)
Date of Stay: 07/08/09
Review Submitted: 08/23/10
We hiked across the valley, visited the Dentelles, ate al fresco with the locals, hit every market in striking distance, saw Avignon, Marseilles, and everything in between, and on a perfect afternoon stopped to look at an unforgettable field of sunflowers. The location is perfect, in a truly French village (you will be the only tourists I think) high on a hilltop (so that the crusaders could watch for pilgrims), with narrow stone streets and a lovely central square and fountain. The house is warm, charming and huge--much bigger than seems possible--and the rooftop patio, with fabulous views, is worth flying steerage from Philadelphia. We will be back.
Recommended for:Girls getaway, families with teenagers, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, age 55+, sightseeing.
Perfect Vacation Home
Guest: marti
(Houston, Texas)
Date of Stay: 08/01/10
Review Submitted: 08/21/10
This village home was so quaint and pretty. We were looking for a unique experience and we were so pleased with this lovely little place tucked away in this beautiful region of France. It felt just like home away form home. Anyone can travel and stay in hotels but here we had a real French experience. We enjoyed the fact that the village was slightly remote yet just thirty minutes from Avignon. The home was beautifully decorated but we still felt at ease putting our feet up and enjoying some of the wonderful wine of the region. Perfect place to relax after a day packed with sight seeing this breathtaking scenery. Everyone should see France in this way!
Recommended for:Girls getaway, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing, families with young children.
arbitrary deposit
Guest: Stressfulsabbatical
(San Diego, CA)
Date of Stay: 07/23/09
Review Submitted: 06/05/10
This is a very charming apartment, and we enjoyed our stay even though there is no commerce in the village, and you have to drive even to get a cup of coffee. We were left with an unpleasant taste however when the owner withheld some of the deposit. We followed her instructions to clean the place before we left, but the maid she hired said it was messy. (We cleaned out the fridge,washed the dishes, took the bed linens to the washroom as directed, and even swept the floor). It was not sterilized, but it was pretty darn clean! So be forewarned.
Owner response:Out of more than 30 guests, this is the first complaint we've ever had and the only time we've ever kept even part of anyone's deposit. It also is the only time in three years that we've had either our housekeeper or our caretaker complain about the state of our house after the departure of a guest -- and in this case, both of them emailed me independently to express their disgust and warn me of the extra time it would take to put things in order. Linens were thrown on the floor and stained, food had been left on plates in the sink for days and, when we arrived home a month or so later, we found a few minor things broken. Even with all this, we kept only a portion of the deposit and so we were rather surprised to see this complaint. If you don't trash our home, we won't need to keep anything to cover costs of damage. Our goal is for our guests to treat our home as their own -- respect it, relax and be happy.
Recommended for:Sightseeing.
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #199677
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