Hogar mágico, auténtico medieval.

We will never forget our fantastic stay in this open and charming home in beautiful Luberon. 5 adults and 5 children (from ages 6-14) all felt comfortable and enjoyed every minute of our stay. From the inviting meal upon arrival, to the refreshing pool, to the bike paths, and the beautiful sunsets. Barbara and Phillippe did everything they could to make our stay an enjoyable one - they even recommended a cook for our last night. The home and its surroundings were terrific. It was an amazing two weeks!

My husband and I spent one, too short week with two other couples in this fabulous property. The house is laid out with separate areas so each couple felt we had a private area that belonged to us. The kitchen is well-equipped and we were very pleasantly surprised to find a supper prepared and waiting for us in the refrigerator! We set out each day for a different beautiful town, exploring and picnicing along the way. We would arrive "home" in the afternoon, take a dip in the pool, laze about absorbing the delightful atmosphere! Fields of lavender were just beginning to bloom and the sunflowers were just amazing. Fruit stands with fresh and local produce, Cavillon melons, local cherries (the trees were loaded down with the crop), it was truly a wonderful time. The daily markets in the different towns were a treat to behold. Beautiful and wonderful memories to cherish...thanks, Barb, for sharing your bit of paradise!!

Our party included 6 adults and 2 small children, ages 3 and 1. This beautiful home and surrounding area provided exactly what we were looking for for our family time together. The house and pool are great and spacious and the house is built so that the two sleeping children were away from us and not disturbed. And the tiny road the home is on is very lightly traveled--perfect for strolling children. They made friends with the two young French girls 3 houses away and were able to play with them--no language barriers!

This was our first attempt at something like this and the owner, Barb, was so helpful, answering our many questions and providing lots of helpful material on the surrounding area and restaurants. She made a restaurant reservation for us and found us a babysitter also for one evening where we had a wonderful meal at La Bartavelle in Goult.

C'est magnifique!

The Luberon Valley is an enchanted place. Home to Peter Mayle, Sheila Hancock, the Marquis de Sade, Julius Caesar and…if you are wise…you.

Barb Egan’s delightful 17th century house is on the outskirts of Joucas, on the northern slopes of the valley. From there you can stroll to the café in the village and take your café crème looking out across the stunning vista where the vineyards stretch into the heat-haze distance.

There are hilltop villages to be visited: Gordes, Roussillon, Lacoste, Bonnieux, Menerbes. All of which deserve a stop for lunch in a shady café, a stroll around the narrow, cobbled streets and a slow drive back.

Back to Le Mas des Gardiols - to give the house its full, correct title - to prepare a languid supper to be eaten in the private courtyard which is the real centre of the house. Cool and green, it is the perfect dining room for a Provencal evening. The house itself is full of character – no bland Spanish villa this – with corners and beams and books to read and CDs to listen to. Across the lane is your own personal swimming pool hidden from the world by shady trees; the perfect place to doze away the sweltering afternoon.

Every practical need seems to have been catered for and if there is a problem, Barb will sort it out from the other end of a phone in Washington DC.

Le Mas des Gardiols is pretty much perfect. I wholeheartedly recommend it; but don’t fill up the booking weeks because we are on our way back soon…