Know before you go
This area may have travel restrictions related to COVID-19.
Magnificent, luxury village house (built 1609) with walled garden & private pool
- house3229 sq. ft.
- Sleeps: 10
- Bedrooms: 5
- Bathrooms: 5
- Half Baths: 1
- Min Stay: 3–7 nights
5 Bedrooms, 5 en-suite power shower rooms. Exceptional lux accommodation for 10
Bedrooms
Bedroom 1
Bedroom 5
Bedroom 3
Bedroom 4
Bedroom 2
The five bedrooms are all extra large. They range in size from 22m2 to 36m2. They are all equipped with two extra-large single black iron beds which were tailor-made for the house by the local blacksmith. They can be used as singles or put together to make a 'King size' double. All the clients say that they are extremely comfortable. There are two cots also available. Four of the bedrooms have an en-suite walk-in shower, the fifth bedroom has an en-suite bathroom with roll-top bath and shower unit.
Amenities
Featured
- Swimming pool
- Internet
- Air Conditioning
- Pets Welcome
- TV
- Children Welcome
- Parking
- No Smoking
Bathrooms
- Bathrooms: 5, Half Baths: 1
- Downstairs LooToiletincl. local hand-made wash basin.
- En-Suite 1Toilet, showerincl. Power shower. Local hand-made wash basin.
- En-Suite 3Toilet, showerincl. Power shower, local hand-made wash basin.
- En-Suite 5Toilet, showerincl. Power shower, local hand-made wash basin.
- En-Suite 4Toilet, showerincl. Power shower, local hand-made wash basin.
- En-Suite 2Toilet, combination tub/showerincl. roll-top bath and pedestal wash basin.
- All the bathrooms have their own WC and hand basins, which were individually designed and hand made by the village 'faiencier' (fine potter) who has his shop next door to the house. All the taps and power shower units are in solid brass; some of the showers have 'sunflower-head' units.
Safety features
- First-aid kit
- Smoke detectorThree on ground floor
- Fire extinguisherThree, one on each floor
- Exterior lighting
Location Type
- Beach
- Mountain
- Rural
- Village
General
- Air ConditioningThere is air conditioning in two of the bedrooms. The sloping roof of each of these faces the sun for much of the day so the rooms get far warmer than those situated on the other side of the house.
- Linens Provided
- Washing MachineThere is a washing machine built into the kitchen units.
- ParkingThere is free parking for about 40 cars within 2 minutes walk of the property.
- InternetFree unlimited WiFi with main box and 'extender'
- Wireless InternetFree high-speed unlimited WiFi with main box and 'extender'
- Iron & Board
- Hair Dryer
- Basic Soaps
- Toilet Paper
- EV car charger
Kitchen
- Dishwasher
- Refrigerator
- Stove
- Oven
- Microwave
- Grill
- Coffee MakerFilter
- Toaster
- Blender
- Pantry Items
- Dishes & Utensils
- KitchenThis is a large kitchen of 25m2. It has two stone sinks, solid brass taps, two fridges, microwave, & a 'Lacanche' semi-professional 'piano' 5 burner gas cooker.
- Kettle
Dining
- Seating for 10 people
- Dining Area
- Child's Highchair
- DiningTwo child's meal-time high chairs can be supplied.
Entertainment
- TelevisionFrench channels only
- Stereo
- Books
- Games
Outside
- Lawn/Garden
- Kayak/CanoeThe owner has a (2 adult + child) kayak which clients are welcome to use. It would need a car with a roof rack.
- BoatThere is boat HIRE on the lakes and rivers of the Gorges du Verdon which is 25 minutes drive from the village. The Gorges is referred to as 'Europe's grand canyon'. It has 25 kms of lakes & rivers
- Deck/Patio
- Outdoor Furniture
- TennisThere is a well maintained court in the village park just 3 minutes walk from the house.
Suitability
- wheelchair inaccessible
Pool / Spa
- Outdoor Pool
- Private Pool
Onsite Services
- Massage
- Private Chef
- Housekeeper Optional
Notes
- Clients are greeted by the house owner who shows them around the property and explains how everything works. There's a welcome fruit bowl on the dinning room table and a bottle of the best local wine in the fridge. The 'Bible' of the house has recommendations for sightseeing, activities, the local markets and dining out. The walled garden and roman 'basin' style pool are cleaned regularly.
Policies
Cancellation Policy
- 100% refund if you cancel at least 60 days before check-in.
- 50% refund (minus the service fee) if you cancel at least 30 days before check-in.
- No refund if you cancel less than 30 days before check-in.
Damage and Incidentals
You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.
House Rules
Children allowed
Pets allowed
No events
No smoking
Max guests: 10
Minimum age of primary renter: 21 - NoneNone
- Covid19 Cancelations 30 to 0 days before check-in due to a national French government ‘lockdown’ (i.e. travel ban) will get back 100% of amount paid.
- Reservations are normally from Saturday to Saturday. But other arrangements are possible when agreed with the owner.
- Pets are allowed on the ground floor of the property but not in the bedrooms. Pets should never be left alone in the property.
Cleaning practices
High-touch surfaces cleaned with disinfectant (like countertops, light switches, handles, and faucets)
All towels and bedding washed in hot water that’s at least 60ºC/140ºF
Cleaned with disinfectant
Map
Owner
Ron Alldridge
- Languages:
- english, french
About Ron Alldridge
I am a typical ‘Brit’ living the dream … or rather escaping the hustle and bustle of big city life. Before coming to France I lived in the centre of London and worked as a reporter for BBC Radio.
Ron Alldridge purchased this house in 2003
Why Ron Alldridge chose Varages
The house is unique and hugely characterful. The Maison de Maître (or Master’s House) was build just about the time when William Shakespeare was writing his poems and plays, and 30 years before Harvard University in the USA was established. I am sure of the date as when renovating the property in 2003 we discovered a plaque in the wall which was initialled by the two chief ‘Compagnons’ (master builders). ‘MA’ and ‘FP’ finished their work, as it is clearly inscribed, on ‘The last day of March, 1609’. A lot of the original features remain. The most impressive perhaps is the stone floor of the vaulted entrance hall - the same stone as can be found in the Catholic Cathedral in near by St Maximin St Baume. Who can imagine who has trodden these massive flagstones in the last 400 years! The walls are built from rocks and ‘tuff’ found in the fields around the original village. Most of the walls are 70 centimetres thick with large tall windows fitted with outer ‘volets’. The thickness of the walls make the house a wonderful refuge of coolness in the summer, and preserve all the warmth of the property in the winter. In the main salon the wild cherry tree beams are six meters long and support in their turn 160 smaller beams which hold up the floors of the bedrooms above. Most of the floors in the house are covered with ‘tommette’ – the local hexagonal deep-red terracotta tiles for which this area is famous throughout France.
What makes this house unique
The house is in the very centre of the little village. Step out of the front door and you’re in the central ‘Place’ with the main village fountain just a few meters away. In the summer, with the windows open, my day is accompanied by the trickle of water dribbling from it’s four spouts. The village has it’s own water source just a short walk from the house. All that can be seen is a little still clear-as-clear-can-be pond. If you weren’t aware of it’s abiding importance to the village and all who live here you would walk by it without a second thought. But the water that fills this pond comes from an unknown source deep beneath the ground. It has never been known to dry up and apparently springs to the surface within one degree in temperature be it 35 degrees in the summer or -12 in the winter.