Mas Mayeaux - Six Bedroom Villa, Sleeps 12

Welcome to charme en Provence, where privacy and tranquillity are combined with incredible convenience. At this beautiful 5600m2 private estate near the banks of the river l'Ouvèze, you’re just a few minutes’ walk away from the centre of enchanting Vaison-la-Romaine, following quiet country lanes.

This family home comprises a main house and an annexe  just a few steps from one another, and set back 50 meters from the small road separating the estate and the river. It was built in the early 1950s out of the local stone (pierre de Vaison) in classic style, in a historic listed area of town.

The main house is a traditional Provençal stone mas, with thick walls to keep it cool in the summer. Completely renovated, the interiors retain a charming and homely ambience with a living-dining space open-plan to a country-style kitchen on the main floor. Comfortably sleeping up to 8 guests, there is a master en suite bedroom (with air-conditioning and a gorgeous view) upstairs as well as three further bedrooms (with ceiling fans) and two bathrooms on the main floor. There is also a library with billiards and a gorgeous terrace with views.

The smaller adjacent annexe (included in the 12-person rate) accommodates four additional guests with its spacious loft-style open-plan kitchen-dining-living area, two bedrooms, a large bathroom, and a separate WC. It opens onto a small terrace with views of the Mont Ventoux in the distance and the hills just across the river.

Admire oak, olive, fig, mulberry and kaki trees across the enclosed garden. The poolside terrace is beautifully paved out of natural stone with sun loungers, surrounded by fragrant lavender bushes and pink oleanders, overlooked by an atmospheric outdoor dining and activity area. Here, you can play pétanque or ping pong, dine al fresco, or just relax in the hammock or on one of the loungers. From these garden areas guests can take in unobstructed views of the hilltop medieval castle that sits high atop the opposite bank of the river l'Ouvèze.

Just a few hundred metres down the river lies the historic Roman bridge, and at a similar distance discover the ancient hilltop medieval quarter, along with two major Roman antiquities sites right in the centre of town. Also in the centre of Vaison-la-Romaine you’ll find the pedestrian shopping streets and the main square, with a great selection of shops, cafes and restaurants, where you can relax and take in the atmosphere of Provence.

Features:

1)    Main House Only – 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms (8-person rate)
2)    Main House and Annexe – 6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms (12-person rate)

Main House Interiors (200m2, access via steps)

-    Open-plan living and dining area with air-conditioning doors opening to al-fresco dining terrace
-    Open-plan country-style kitchen, well-equipped
-    3 x bedrooms with ceiling fans 
-    2 x bathrooms
-    Library with billiard table  
-    Upstairs master bedroom with air-conditioning and open en suite bathroom

Annexe Interiors (100m2, access via steps)

-    Loft-style open-plan living, dining and kitchen area with doors leading to small terrace with views towards Mont Ventoux
-    2 x bedrooms
-    Bathroom and separate WC

Outside Grounds (5600m2, enclosed)

-    Heated swimming pool (4x8m, depth: 0.6-1.8m) with salt ionization system and safety alarm system. Open approximately May to end-September
-    Natural stone terrace with sun loungers
-    Outdoor dining area (overlooking pool) with gas barbecue  
-    Large terrace for al-fresco dining and relaxation
-    Garden with various trees, herbs and plants
-    Parking (three vehicles) at top of drive
-    Different levels and steps/stairs across the grounds and houses

Other Facilities

-    Energy efficient windows
-    Air-conditioning in master bedroom and main house living area (via heat pump system for energy efficiency)
-    PlayStation 2 (can be used as a DVD player)
-    Netflix (log-on via your own account)
-    DVD selection



Location:

Vaison-la-Romaine is steeped in history, surrounded by vineyards and teeming with hiking and biking routes in the area. Mont Ventoux, made famous by the Tour de France, is visible from the property and is only around 23 km away, providing challenging cycling routes and breath-taking views from the Mediterranean to the Alps. Find out why renowned travel journalist, Alastair Campbell, loves this region so much and has been holidaying here for the past 30 years, over on Telegraph Travel.

The pedestrian shopping streets, with the marché provençal on Tuesdays, are a short walk away (some roads without pavements), as are a multitude of charming cafes and restaurants. In the cité mediéval, just across the Roman Bridge, you’ll find historic houses, a church, and castle ruins at the top of the village, which also boasts many delightful art galleries, shops and restaurants.

Vaison’s rich past will enchant those who love historical places, as masterly showcased in the open-air antiquity sites in the town centre. If it’s entertainment you want, then take in a concert or dance performance at the Théatre Antique (outdoor Roman Theatre). And, for shopping and dining, Vaison boasts all modern amenities, including cafes, restaurants, shops, bakeries, supermarkets and just about anything else you could possibly need during your stay.

The region is a wine aficionado’s paradise, with delectable local Côtes du Rhône  varietals from Vaison and the charming surrounding villages, such as Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas, along with Sablon, Roaix, Cairanne, Rasteau, Baume de Venise and Vacqueyras. All of these villages of the same name as their wines are close by and well worth visiting for a tasting!

Other activities across the area include an adventure park, Oxygène, just down the road (750m) as well as hiking, biking and horse-riding within a short drive. A little further afield, discover rock climbing, water parks, a river walk (Promenade dans le Toulourenc, 16km), canoeing beneath the Pont du Gard (66km), a cultural visit to the Papal Palace in Avignon (54km) and even the Mediterranean beaches near Marseille (142km) and the Camargue (130km). The Seve Ballesteros-designed Pont Royal Golf course (80km) is just over an hour's drive away, or tee off at Provence Country Club (46km), while there is a 9-hole course in Orange, 30-minutes away by car.

Mas Mayeaux is an hour from Avignon, 96km from Nimes Airport and 110km to Marseille Provence Airport.

Terms & Conditions:

Security deposit?
€1000 charged to client's credit card by Oliver’s Travels as a pre-authorisation at least 2 weeks prior to arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection.

Arrival time?
3.00 p.m.

Departure time?
10.00 a.m.

Energy costs included?
Yes.

Linen & towels included?
Yes.

Pets welcome?
Not allowed.

Other Ts and Cs?
A/C is only available in the master bedroom and in the kitchen/living/dining area (of the main house).

The 8-person rate is for the main house only whilst the 12-person rate also includes the annexe.

Please note that like all heated pools, pool heating and water temperature are reliant on weather and outside temperatures.

Changeover day?
Saturday. All other days are on request.

End of stay cleaning included?
Yes, plus mid-stay cleaning for stays of more than 7 nights. However, guests are required to leave the accommodation clean, tidy and in the same condition as on their arrival. Any extra cleaning, laundry, maintenance and/or rubbish disposal required will be charged against the security deposit.

Smoking Allowed?
Strictly not allowed inside or outside due to fire risk.

Heating costs included?
Yes, in July/August. In other periods there is a surcharge of approximately €150 per week if heating system is used.

Tax?
French Visitors Tax is included.

Pool towels included?
Yes.

Pool opening dates?
The swimming pool is open approximately beginning of May to end-September. Please note that pool opening dates are subject to local weather conditions and pool maintenance requirements and that cooler months may not be suitable for swimming.
Smoking - not allowed