Can anyone be this lucky? We have the choice of two of the best places in the world to live and spend time in - scenic Northern California where we live, and our very special vacation home in the beautiful little village of Sablet in Provence. We fell in love with France in the 1980's while living in London and working in both London and Paris, then travelling extensively throughout France (in lots of campgrounds with two small children). After returning to California, we continued to visit France and especially Provence, until my wish to cook the wonderful food we were seeing at the many (many, many) markets we visited, took over and we rented a house in 'our' village. That was when we (accidentally) found 'Maison des Pelerins'. It wasn't for sale at that time and we said, 'too bad this house isn't on the market!' Well... a year later it was. We have thoroughly enjoyed owning our home, remodeling it and sharing it with our great guests who visit each year. We love hearing about their vacations and love welcoming them back.

Marianne Houlahan purchased this house in 2005

Location! Location! Location! In the middle of the old village, inside the walls but with a private courtyard garden and wonderful views from every window of each spacious, charming room (somewhat unique in villages where houses are huddled together at the expense of outside recreational space and sweeping views).

This house has a fascinating history (along with its neighbor - the old Papal Vice-Legat's home) being a part of the buildings owned by the Church during the time when the Pope administered the Catholic Church from Avignon. If only walls could talk!

We love smelling the fresh bread baking at the Boulangerie (one street below us in the village).Walking just about 2 minutes to the village for our fresh bread and pastries each morning. Maison des Pelerins has been remodeled, furnished and outfitted for comfort and convenience, yet retaining its old world charm. In Spring 2008, we added Air Conditioning in each bedroom - on the warm summer evenings, it was wonderful to have a cooled bedroom to retire to - we heard from many guests that they really appreciated it. Sablet is a quintessentially French living village - it is close to everything but off the beaten path, which makes it an ideal base to visit all parts of Provence, whatever your interest - History, art, wine, culinary interests, markets and so much more. Vaison la Romaine, Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, Marseilles, Cassis, Fontaine de Vaucluse, Isle sur la Sorgue, St. Remy de Provence and Les Baux de Provence are just some of the well known names that are between 10 min and 90 min from Sablet. Wine tasting is right at your doorstep as we are located in the heart of the Cote du Rhone Appellation with hundreds of wineries within a 30 min drive. The wonderful markets of Provence are all around, especially in Vaison la Romaine, Carpentras, Orange and Isle sur la Sorgue.