Chez Jean Claude

Overview

Access to the 'mas' is through a private 100-meter-long lane, bordered with olive trees, pine trees, almond trees and cypresses. At the other end of the lane the gate stands imposingly in the middle of pine trees, surrounded with holm oaks. The gate is equipped with an interphone, video, and cameras to announce guests' arrival.

This property is located on a dominant position thus offering a dominating view of the village, the 'Mont Ventoux' and the valley between the Durance and the Rhône. The scrubland, known as "garrigue" here in Provence, is surrounding the property.  The sweet smells of thyme, rosemary, brooms and clusters of mauve cysts flowers may overwhelm you. On a 12,000 square meter plot of land, planted with trees, cypresses, olive trees and holm oaks, the property is located at the heart of the Alpilles, a place of serenity.

The large heated swimming pool with electric cover, is surrounded by big terraces and dominates its surroundings. There are lots of teak furniture and a small pool-house (with toilets, shower, and small fridge for cooling drinks) nearby. A romantic gypsy caravan for a nap or additional guests (one double bed) can be opened on request. Bicycles for adults (10) and children (2) are at disposal. For the little ones there is a sand box, and for the older one’s ping-pong table, tennis court with lighting, badminton, and pétanque court are at disposal.

The house architecture and the decoration are the work of professionals experienced in local materials and techniques. The Provencal decoration, refined and authentic, creates the atmosphere; whitewash and sand roughcasts, baked clay floors, linen fabrics. Les-Baux-deProvence stones are everywhere and set the tone. The bedrooms are little slumbering worlds of gentleness because of the silence of the place and are pervaded with the fragrances of pine trees and rosemary which rule over the surrounding scrub land.

The house can accommodate 12 guests with optimum comfort and maximum 10 adults and 4 children, whatever the season.

The Main House Ground Floor: The Provencal dining room / open plan kitchen is spacious, and fully equipped for maximum comfort, it includes a well-stocked big dresser, a table that seats 12 to 14 guests and a big fireplace. Outside are two terraces with tables that can seat 24 guests and a gas BBQ. The kitchen has Lacanche gas cooker, American-style fridge, dishwasher, microwave, basic household appliances, complete kitchen accessories, a great deal of crockery and place settings (enough for receptions of more than 50 guests), television, stereo system, WiFi and a wine cellar.

The sitting room is located at the center of the house with terraces on the south and north sides, and a view of the village on one side and of the Alpilles on the other. There are vaulted ceilings, stone-built walls, a monumental fireplace, library, stereo system, flat-screen television (110 cm) with Sky TV satellite, DVD player, settees and armchairs. It features a very well decorated ensemble, center light, paintings, curtains and furniture made in Provence. There is a laundry room with tumble dryer, big washing machine, and iron.

On this floor, there is a first air-conditioned double bedroom with en-suite bathroom. This bedroom is located at the center of the house, and is accessible to mobility impaired person. This bedroom benefits from a nice shade and thus is the coolest of the property. In the basement, there is an air-conditioned sitting room of 40 square meters, equipped as a cinema room (with a 240 cm screen) or night-club, which could easily be converted into a meeting room with video conferencing facility. This room can host up to more than 20 guests. A mechanical air circulation and air-conditioning system, and the under-floor heating give all modern comforts to this room whatever the activity or season. This room also includes a 'Gaveau' piano, second satellite TV with Canal Satellite, a bar and two nice Provencal sofas.

On the first floor, there are two double bedrooms. The first one is set back on the upper floor behind a big old door, and is completely private and quiet. This double bedroom, with a king size bed and en-suite bathroom, has a refined stylish decoration with Provencal coolness. In summertime, this room is very sunny; the shutters will be very useful. This room also has its own terrace (20 sqm) overlooking the Alpilles. The second one is accessed through a walkway overhanging the sitting room (and indoor balcony), the Provence-style decoration of this room has a lot of character. This double bedroom, with queen size bed and en-suite bathroom, opens onto an outdoor balcony on the south side overlooking the gardens and the Alpilles.

The remaining bedrooms are in two independent small stone cottages. They are completely separate from the main house, in the garden and gives onto the pine trees and the little fountain square. The first one is on the fringe of the forest close to the swimming pool, and has a 10 sqm sheltered terrace. This cottage includes: a double bed on the ground floor and two single beds on mezzanine for children, an en-suite bathroom, separate toilet, and a small well-equipped kitchen. Please note that this room is ideal for a nanny and two children. The second one is quite closer of the main house but still surrounded by the Mediterranean scrub land. It is also located near the forest and pinewood, and has a well-situated terrace (10 sqm). This room features a double bed and two single beds on mezzanine for kids or teenagers, an en-suite bathroom and separate toilet.