Breathtaking Terrace Views at the Foot of the Ancient Castle

Situated in the South of France in the heart of Roman Provence, just at the foot of the picturesque medieval castle of Beaucaire, seat of the Montmorency Dukes for generations, is this unique and extraordinary property. This lovely 17century stone house is perfect for a relaxed holiday vacation or as a quiet inspiring retreat for writers or scholars. It is also a convenient and less hectic base from which to attend the Festival of Avignon, the Photography Festival of Arles, or the Dance Festival of Montpellier. The highest house in town, it offers breathtaking views from its extensive terrace: the castle gardens, Beaucaire’s historic center, the church of Notre Dame des Pommiers with its dome and bell tower, as well as an enchanting 18th century Chinoiserie lookout tower, piercing the sky from the garden of an 18th century mansion just below. The house is a wonderful place for a quiet relaxing escape, yet also provides a perfect base for exploring the treasures to be found in the wonderful region of Provence.

Believed to have been an out-building of the castle, the house has been completely renovated with all modern amenities, while retaining a sense of historic charm, including the original foundation stone of the castle, which is visible from the ground-floor living room. It is decorated with antiques from the region.

The three-story house consists of the ground floor, with a living area, dining area, full modern kitchen ( with dishwasher) and full bath. The second floor, or 'Salon de Musique,' consists of two bedrooms,( one with a queen-sized bed and the second with two twin beds ) an open salon with desk and WiFi ,sitting areas with views of the garden,a CD player and selection of classical music, a second full bath, and a utility closet with washing machine.

The third floor is the terrace floor, and it also has a convenient summer kitchen with a day bed looking out onto the terrace. The hammock on the terrace is a wonderful way to relax after a summer meal accompanied by the local wines of Cote de Rhone. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, the fresh oyster vendor comes to Beaucaire and sets up along the Canal du Rhone a Sete, which runs through the city of Beaucaire and provides a lovely take away appetizer or meal to enjoy while taking in the stunning sunsets each night from the terrace. The neighbors’ children call the terrace 'Paradis'.

Beaucaire is situated at the junction of the Canal du Rhone a Sete and the River Rhone. The once famous 'Foire de Beaucaire', a huge market or fair, that happened for centuries on the banks of the Rhone ( and which produced as much income in the 10 days of the fair as the entire port city of Marseilles made in a year) is why the town is so incredibly rich historically and architecturally. Because so much of the town remains intact and forgotten by time, it has been used in many period movies, including “The Lion in Winter” with Katherine Hepburn and Richard Burton, which prominently features the castle, that is literally in the back yard of the house. More recently, a film called “The Horseman on the Roof,” with Juliette Binoche, features the square in front of the church, which can be seen from the terrace.



The town is off the beaten track and is generally quiet, though during the summer it becomes very animated with its own running of the bulls and the bull fights in the town’s bull ring, as well as outdoor concerts, fairs and flea markets. There are some fine restaurants in town, and if one seeks more night life or cultural or culinary activity, Beaucaire is conveniently located just twenty minutes by car from three major historic cities: Avignon, with the Palace of the Popes; Arles, where Van Gogh painted; and Nimes, with its magnificently preserved Roman ruins. There is also public transportation to all three cities.
There is a Municipal swimming in the town, but there are a number of exciting spots for 'swimming in the wild' such as in the Gardon at the Pont du Gard, or at Collias.

For wine lovers, Beaucaire is situated in the heart of Cote du Rhone, and only forty minutes from Chateauneuf du Pape, with its vineyards and restaurants. The entire region itself provides endless discovery, exploration and reward in the magical sunlight of the South of France. Come and enjoy!