Cozy Restored Cottage Among Cherry/Olive Trees, Circular Pool
About the property
- Cottage
- Bedrooms1
- Sleeps4
- Bathrooms1
- Half Baths1
- Minimum Stay7 nights
Cottage, 1 Bedroom + Convertible bed(s), 1.5 Baths, (Sleeps 2-4)
This stone cottage on 1.8 hectares (4 acres) of farmland has been meticulously restored to the highest standards of taste and comfort with antique finishings and modern conveniences and is available for rental in all four seasons. Taking maximum advantage of a relatively compact space, the ground floor offers a living/dining area overlooking a stone patio (the actual dining area for most of the year), a fully equipped ultra-convenient gourmet kitchen, a functioning wood stove, and a half-bathroom under a custom-made plaster spiral staircase. The house has satellite television, high-speed WiFi, and internet telephony with free calling anywhere. The staircase leads up to a master bedroom with views in all directions and an artisan-created fully modern bathroom with shower and double sink fitted out with antique doors and tiles. The house is cool in summer and warm in winter, with both electric heat and a functional wood stove. It contains two iPod stereo players.
The large property includes a magnificent round stone irrigation bassin (10 meters in diameter), which has been transformed into a swimming pool while retaining its original form. The pool sits in a well defined area 30 meters (100 feet) square, planted with grass and willows, with a full view of the village, including sunsets behind the chateau. The bassin was originally fed by a spring (on old maps the location is called 'Le Gourt,' spring in Provencal) which now flows into six wells on the property.
The house has open views in all directions, south to the Luberon mountains, north to the plateau of the Vaucluse, and west to the hilltop village of St. Saturnin-les-Apt with its ruined chateau, church, and windmill. The house is surrounded on three sides by a terrasse (patio) incorporating two old stone wells and paved on the south and west by a 'calade' constructed entirely of stones from an old threshing floor unearthed during renovation. The south side is shaded by a wisteria-planted custom-made iron tonnelle (canopy) overlooking the Luberon mountains in the distance. The immediate view is of a gently sloping gravel pathway bordered by lavender, boxwood, roses, and olive trees, leading down to the pool area.
Please note that the pool is normally opened by the start of May and closed by the end of September, depending on weather conditions.
Keywords: Self-catering house, cottage, bastidon, cabanon, gite, farmhouse, mas, bastide
Owner
Barney Rubin
- Response rate:
- 100%
- Response time:
- within a few hours
- Speaks:
- english, french, german, spanish, italian, Hebrew, Hindi, Urdu, Persian
- Calendar last updated:
- Mar 26, 2018
About Barney Rubin
We (Barney Rubin and Susan Blum) are a 60-ish couple living in New York City (though in this picture we are Rio de Janeiro). Susan is a psychotherapist. Barney is a political scientist who has taught at Yale and Columbia and worked at the Council on Foreign Relations and the Center on International Cooperation at NYU. Currently he advises the State Department on Afghanistan and Pakistan. We are both originally from Philadelphia. When we are not spending time in the cottage we are delighted to share LaFerrage with others.
Barney Rubin purchased this Cottage in 2008
Why Barney Rubin chose Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt
We first went to the Luberon in 1993, when we decided to take a 'real' month-long vacation for the first (and so far last) time. We then tried several other places -- Ardeche, California, Andalucia, Greece, the Haute Savoie (French Alps), but finally returned for our 25th wedding anniversary in 2000. Except for one year in Umbria, we have returned every year since, attracted by the unique combination of history, culture, food, wine, scenery, hiking, and a diverse collection of people. We started toying with the idea of buying in 2006, and finally bought the right place in 2008. It then took nearly two years (not just the one year in which Peter Mayle managed) to get this place habitable, but the results were worth waiting for.
What makes this Cottage unique
Our cottage's farmland mainly produces cherries, cared for by a farmer belonging to one of the village's oldest families. It also produces olives, which are pressed into oil at the nearby mill, St.-Julien. The farmer's brother is a renowned caterer based in the nearby town of Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and is available for parties of ten or more. You can cook with the olive oil we get from the local cooperative in return for our olives, sample the cherries preserved in alcohol that grow on our property, and sample the wine grown within a few minutes of our property. The house is located on extensive sloping farmland with views in all directions. It is delightful to sit on the terrasse of ancient stone (unearthed on the property) under the hand-crafted iron tonnelle with a long view in every direction over our plantings of cherries, cypress, olive, boxwood, rose, fig, and almond and sampling local delicacies seasoned with the herbs grown in the garden under the cypress on our western terrace. In spring there are cherry blossoms, in summer lavender and white roses; in fall the vineyards turn umber, and in winter the vistas open and are perfumed with the odor of burning cherry wood, vines, and oak.
Amenities
- Internet
- Swimming pool
- Heater
- Satellite or Cable
- Washer & Dryer
- Parking
- TV
- No Smoking
Bedrooms
- 1 Bedrooms, Sleeps 4
- Queen size Beds (1) This is the most comfortable bed we have ever had., Sleep Sofa or Futons (1) There is a futon in the living room that easily converts to a small double bed.
Bathrooms
- 1 Bathroom, 1 Half Bath
- 1.5
Location Type
- Monument ViewFull view of the chateau and church of St. Saturnin-les-Apt.
- Mountain ViewOn open farmland with mountains of the Grand Luberon in the distance and hilltop village close by.
- VillageView of St. Saturnin-les-Apt, including Chateau and church.
Theme
- Away From It All
- Family
- Historic
- Romantic
- Sports & Activities
- Tourist Attractions
Meals
- Guests provide their own meals
General
- Parking
- Broadband AccessInternet via DSL.
- HeatingElectric heating.
- InternetWiFi.
- Linens Provided
- Living Room
- Free Long Distance(2) Free calling to anywhere in the world via internet telephony.
- Parking Off StreetParking area in the back of the house.
- Telephone(4) Cell phone reception is good. Land line and internet telephony. Each has handsets on ground floor and upstairs.
- Towels Provided
- Washing MachineFront-loading washer in the kitchen.
- Wireless InternetWiFi throughout the house and surroundings.
- Wood StoveThere is an anthracite Petit Godin stove. (http://www.acheter-moins-cher.com/asp/produit100_rwt_p_136384.htm.)
Kitchen
- Microwave
- Catering AvailableNeighbor/farmer'sbrother is caterer; exclusively for parties of 10 or more.
- Cooking UtensilsTop of the line Ikea knives, cast iron, cast aluminum, glass, and ceramic pots, pans, and casseroles, all equipment from garlic press to zester.
- Dishes & Utensils
- Dishwasher
- KitchenState of the art gas cook top, electric oven, food processor, farmhouse sink, dishwasher, furnished in antique local tiles, ventilated, with village views.
- Coffee Maker
- Oven
- Pantry Items
- Refrigerator
- Stove
- Toaster
Dining
- DiningSmall dining area inside. Spacious stone terrace with views for meals outside.
- Dining Area
- comfy seating for 8 people
Entertainment
- DVD Player
- Music LibraryThe house has stereo iPod/MP3 players in both the living rook and the bedroom, so you can bring your own music library.
- Satellite / CableWe have satellite television with a broad selection of English and French-language channels. The TV has an integrated DVD player.
- Stereo
- Television
Outside
- Deck / PatioSurrounds the house on three sides, two of which made of ancient stone calade; incorporates two old stone wells, outstanding views, privacy.
- Lawn / Garden
- Outdoor Grill
Suitability
- wheelchair inaccessible
Pool / Spa
- Private PoolCircular pool 10 meters in diameter converted from traditional stone irrigation bassin. Formerly spring-fed, now with full sanitary facilities (U/V).
Attractions
- arboretum
- churches
- cinemas
- health/beauty spa
- live theater
- museums
- restaurants
- ruins
- synagogues
- winery tours
Leisure Activities
- antiquing
- horseback riding
- miniature golf
- scenic drives
- shopping
- sight seeing
- walking
- wildlife viewing
Local Services & Businesses
- ATM/bank
- groceries
- hospital
- laundromat
- massage therapist
- medical services
Sports & Adventure Activities
- cycling
- golf
- hiking
- hunting
- mountain biking
- mountain climbing
- parasailing
- rock climbing
- swimming
- tennis
Notes
- 360 degree open views. Pool is a restored stone irrigation basin 10m in diameter with beautiful views of village. meticulously restored cottage antique finishings, modern amenities. Quiet and private but walking distance to village, stores, ATM, post office, etc. Within 1.5 hours of Mediterranean beaches. Cherries, olives, figs, grapes, almonds, herb garden.
30 Reviews
Latest reviews
A perfect Provencal retreat for two people
Le Ferrage
Provencal magic
Better Than My Dreams!
Catherine, we're so pleased that you enjoyed your stay at LaFerrage. The cheese, baguettes, and other treats available right in St. Saturnin and in the neighboring weekly markets do provide irresistible temptations that can be happily enjoyed because there are so many delightful ways to exercise -- walking, biking, swimming...and then to rest from all that activity with a nap under the trees in the poolside hammock. You made good use of all that the cottage, and the region, has to offer!
Provençal Heaven
We are happy that you enjoyed LaFerrage and used it as a delightful home base to explore the Luberon and the towns and cities beyond. Now that LaFerrage has spoilt you for anywhere else in the region, we're so pleased to hear that you will be returning and we look forward to welcoming you back!
Pure relaxation
Graeme, You're right about the cherries -- it is quite something to be able to stroll down the pathways between the fruit trees on the property and pluck ripe fruit right off the branch during the growing season. (Cherry blossom season is also a marvel on the property and in the region as a whole!). Roland, the farmer who cares for our trees, is a gracious and welcoming presence and a lifelong resident of St. Saturnin. We -- and he -- look forward to welcoming you back to LaFerrage for another stay.
Location
Many concerts and cultural activities in high season. Gastronomy, wine making, truffles. Nearby Michelin-rated restaurants from economy to two-star. Fabulous local farmers' markets. Within day trip to Chateauneuf-du-Pape, other top wine areas. Lavender cultivation and processing in season. Very diverse and interesting mixed population of locals and expats. Ochre mines in Rustrel and Roussillon. Amazing cultural life (music etc.) in the summer. Lovely hiking.