17th Century, Quiet Village House Provence
- Minimum stay:N/A
- Internet:Yes
- Pets allowed:No
- Wheel chair accessible:No
In a Human sized village, largely untouched by tourism. Estab 1169.
Marseilles International Airport 40 minute drive, TGV Aix-en-Provence rail station 35mins. (TGV Paris - Aix 2.5hrs). Car Hire available from both.
Accommodations: Village House, 2 Bedrooms, 2 showers en suite (Sleeps 4)
Keywords: Small village, House
A unique hill top village surrounded by vineyards. Thirty minutes north of Aix-en-Provence, and within easy reach of Arles or Avignon. Quiet and largely untouched by tourism. A medieval Chateau open to the public, small winding streets, fountains, shadows, a Café and delicious Michelin star restaurant also provide situations to relax, think or work.
‘La Maison Claire’ is a village house on three floors. The top floor has the roof-top terrace and master bedroom (with its shower and amenities), and faces full south to the wooded hill across the valley. The second floor, the mezzanine, holds the second bedroom and large study. The ground floor is largely open plan, with sitting and kitchen areas.
Though built on a rock you can walk across the village in five minutes. The village is appropriately situated for exploring the south of France. West to the salt lagoons & flamingos of the Camargue, east to the wilds of the Gorge of Verdon and pre-Alps (skiing in February), and south to the colourful sophistications of the Cote d’ Azure (a pleasure to explore in the quiet of winter), and seeing History. Locally. Among ruins from Greek to the Middle Ages. There is a ruined fort of the Templar Knights in the secret heart of the Luberon mountains. The palace of the Popes in Avignon, the Roman Arena of Arles and the tree-lined boulevards of the university city of Aix-en-Provence.
With good reason Provence has a tradition of attracting writers, poets, and painters . Sun light and tranquillity tend to open the senses, and the Oh’ so slow, pace of life, offer time to consider what the senses reveal. It is also a country studded with sites from antiquity and the Middle Ages. Sites of myth, magic, and miracles, of battles between Virtue and infamy. Places which invite and inspire response. Careful Advice & Guides for Exploring, Walking and Driving based on our personal experience are included.
The village itself can provide most practical needs, a boulanger for fresh bread/croissants, a mini-supermarket, a terraced café and a Salon de Thé (in summer). A fresh air market on Sundays or in neighbouring villages each day. Eating is of course important and a great pleasure and there is an excellent variety of quality & price in local village restaurants. Advice also included. Guests are met and introduced to the house and given the keys. Cars are forbidden in the village but there is ample safe parking ( four minutes walk), in front of the Marie, with video surveillance.
Keywords: open plan, house, extensive forest views from terrace
Property Type
- House
Accommodation Type
- Vacation Rental
Suitability
- Non Smoking Only
- Pets Not Allowed
Bedrooms
- 2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 4, Beds for 2-4
- Bedroom 1
- Bedroom 2
- King size beds (1), Double Beds (1)
Bathrooms
- 2.0 Bathrooms
- Bathroom 1
- Bathroom 2
Kitchen & Dining
- Dishwasher
- Cooking Utensils
- Refrigerator
- Kitchen
Amenities
- Washing Machine
- Linens Provided
- Wood Fireplace
Entertainment
- Music Library
- Stereo
- Video Library
- CD Player
Communications
- Wireless Internet
- Broadband Access
Outdoor Features
- Outdoor Grill
Location & View
Activities
- Museums
- Cinemas
- Restaurants
- Miniature Golf
- Shopping
- Wildlife Viewing
- Sight Seeing
- Antiquing
- Hot Air Ballooning
- Mountain Biking
- Hiking
- Rock Climbing
- Cycling
- Swimming
Reviews
Write a review-
A slice of heaven!
A slice of heaven!
- Guest Robin
- Date of stay 08/07/11
- Review Submitted 05/28/12
We could not have been happier with our week at La Maison Claire in Ansouis. Everything was perfect -- the house, the village, the region, our welcome from the local property manager, Mac, and all of Andrew's help prior to our trip. The house was beautiful and we could not get enough time on the terrace with the summer kitchen. That is where we began each day with our morning coffee and breakfast, where we had our wine and supper and lingered until it we could not keep our eyes open any longer. The view was gorgeous and so relaxing. Better than any restaurant or hotel view. The main kitchen was beautiful and we enjoyed cooking and looking out the window into the village each day. The house is perfectly maintained too. The village was perfect -- enough to discover, but quiet and non-touristy. We rented bicycles in Cucuron and used them for sight seeing and exercise. It does not get any better than biking along the small roads adjacent to vineyards. The local winery Andrew recommended -- Chateau Turcan-- was lovely and provided good and affordable wines. A quote from my email to Andrew on our last night captures much of our experience: "Tonight is our last night in your lovely home so I'm sitting on the terrace enjoying the clearest star-filled sky with a fabulous full moon and doing a quick email back to you. The temperature is perfect and has been the entire trip...We have had an absolutely wonderful stay here. Everything was perfect. we rented really good bikes from the bike place in Cucuron Mac recommended and we've biked every day but Tuesday because it was so windy we just toured by car that day. We love it here and the house is lovely and the best part of the trip. If only we could stay longer! The Chateau Turcan wine was excellent. Thank you for leaving a bottle for us. We visited the winery twice and bought a second bottle of the 2005 red along with some white. Need to watch for the falling stars and get some sleep so we can enjoy our final morning on the terrace. Really, this has been a very special and enjoyable vacation. We'd love to do it again next year."Recommended for: Sightseeing, romantic getaway.
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Great village house in a picturesque medieval village
Great village house in a picturesque medieval village
- Guest Jeff
- Date of stay 04/01/10
- Review Submitted 03/30/11
We spent a month here in April 2010, and it was the perfect spot for us to relax, reflect, enjoy the Luberon region and beyond. The owner's passionate description is quite accurate! The village itself was friendly and accessible -- perfect for a nice stroll through the medieval alleyways. The small grocery store has enough of the basics to get by in a pinch, supplemented by food from the market days in Ansouis and in nearby towns. With the local baker and subdued sports bar, what else do you need? Treat yourself to a meal at the restaurant La Closerie once in awhile too, and the many restaurants in the surrounding towns. The house itself is well stocked with kitchen supplies and amenities, and when it's warm enough, the third floor outdoor deck is all you really need with your glass of rose for lunch or pastis before dinner, though watch your head coming in, and watch your step coming down the steep stairs after your cocktails! The owner provided detailed instructions on how everything worked and there was plenty of wood for the fireplace. There's plenty of room to relax in the living room (with fireplace), or to write in the second-floor library at your choice of two desks. The owner's taste in books is good too -- lots of art and philosophy, tour guides and maps. The hill across the valley makes for a nice hike, and the country roads surrounding the village also invite a stroll or long walk. We visited the many local wineries in the region (some within walking distance).Recommended for: Sightseeing, girls getaway, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3
Rates
Low Season (Jan, Feb + Mar, Nov, Dec - except holiday) ................ €700 week Shoulder Season (April, Oct) ... €750/week High Season (May, June, Jul & Aug, Sep, Christmas, New Year) ........... €850/week Reservation Deposit of 25% in euro equivalent. €60 per week fuel supplement for Fall and Winter months stays (Oct 15 to April 15) Sabbatical and longer stays negotiable! All fees & deposit to be paid in euro equivalents using Bank to Bank transfer. Security deposit €500 refundable within 7 days after signed check out/or VRBO Ins
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Before paying contact the owner to confirm payment details.
Call the owner directly to confirm reservation details and pay with an approved method (credit card, check, or bank transfer), to protect your payment up to $1,000.
Calendar
Sorry this information is not available. Please contact the owner/manager for more information.
Owner info
Year Purchased: 2007
About the owner: Who are we & Why are we here? I teach Photography and above all I adore Light, the horizontal liquid gold at dawn, shadows at high-noon and the pink of evening. After that La France, une vie civilisée. And then, in a flash of lightening with thunder, I met my wife, and together we made this home.
Why the Owner Chose Ansouis:
Why the Village of Ansouis?
Some would say it was chance or luck, I believe it was a decision. And we found a human size community where no one is invisible, everyone says hello. The population was 400 in winter rising to 900 in summer, though to walk les rue’s et les ruelle’s you would never know. Silence, shadows and light where ever you go, sometimes children, sometimes an individual, and most of the time a smile. By the second day you will be recognised, watch for their smile, and yours.
The Unique Benefits at this House:
Tranquility, convenient local shopping & wine plus tasting. An English speaking mayor and a Chateau.
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Date last modified - Tuesday, January 22, 2013