Gorgeous, historic 4BR village house w/ stunning views, pool, AC

This historic 17th century village house perched atop the picturesque old village of Eygalières is a dream come true for your escape in Provence. The enchanting property offers breathtaking views of the Alpilles mountains, wide terraces, a sparkling heated pool, shaded garden, large salon with grand piano, gracious formal dining room, modern kitchen, restored underground vaulted chambers, and numerous amenities. The four en-suite bedrooms and salon all have air conditioning, and there is high-speed Internet throughout. The house has a private parking space for one car (or two small cars), with L2 electric charging.

The stunning west-facing terraces offer the village's best views over the valley and Alpilles. There you can enjoy lunch al fresco, sip rosé while watching dazzling sunsets, or dine under the stars. The cool shaded garden with fairy lights strung across has seating for 12 and a barbecue grill, fountain, fire pit, and hammock hung between olive trees for afternoon siestas. The 4 x 9 m salt-water pool is bordered by 6 comfortable sun beds, shaded seating for drinks, and a wide stone table for casual meals. The pool area has a fully equipped summer kitchen and a comfortable private changing area with updated WC and shower, and it offers games (darts, foosball, ping pong).

The location in the heart of the old village is unbeatable for experiencing the charm of French village life. A mere one-minute walk down the hill brings you to the main street where you can get croissants and newspaper and sit in a café in the morning, or enjoy evening drinks and convivial meals in one of several excellent bistros. Remarkably for a village of just 1700 residents year around, there is also a fresh-from-the-farm produce store, convenience store, bakery, pharmacy, and antiques store. The busy Friday market is renowned in the region for its fresh produce, clothing, and antiques. Up the hill one minute from the house takes you into what remains of the town's feudal fortress, with ruins of the chateau, oil and grain mills, and rampart, 360-deg views of the surrounding countryside, as well as a small history museum, a gallery featuring works by talented local artists, and a restored 12th century chapel.

From the village you can take hikes in the regional park of the Alpilles along wilderness trails and ancient Roman roads without ever getting in your car, or go for bike rides on narrow country lanes among vineyards, olive groves and orchards and visit neighboring villages on one of 4 bikes available to guests. Besides biking and hiking, you can play tennis at the town courts or pétanque (bowls) in the old market square in front of the house (tennis rackets and "boules" are available). By car, the fascinating historical town of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence (where Nostradamus was born and Vincent Van Gogh painted many of his greatest works while hospitalized) is a mere 15 minutes away, while the cities of Avignon (home to Catholic popes in the 1300s), Arles (ancient Roman capital) and Aix-en-Provence (home of Paul Cézanne) are not much farther.

Though situated in the heart of a lively village, the house offers a tranquil, private retreat where memories are made as family and friends come together to enjoy Provence. A fully equipped kitchen with massive La Cornue stove makes cooking and entertaining easy, and an adjacent large dining room with a huge oak table (seating 8) allows for elegant indoor meals. In cooler weather, the enormous fireplace in the salon provides cheerful warmth. The cozy TV/family room offers a space for intimate get-togethers or watching sports and films, and the office with printer on the mezzanine is a comfortable place to get work done.

Unlike so many cookie-cutter faux-Provence rental properties, the 400-year-old Maison des Musiciens offers a truly unique and exceptional experience in the heart of one of Provence's most beautiful villages.