Mas de L'Amarine

Overview

Entirely private, this exceptional artist's property becomes guests' home away from home, for a weekend or longer.

The villa is just a stone throw from Saint Remy de Provence looking out towards the Alpilles range. Set in 5000 square meters of grounds, the 700 square meter main Mas is built on several levels.  At first glance you see a big 18th century Provençal farmhouse standing majestically amid the trees and flowers of the garden, where you'll also spot some amusing artworks, with an effusion of colures and mosaics. The style suggests the bohemian life beloved of many artists.

As you enter the Mas the first room you enter is the big living room, boasting a magnificent mosaic by Roger Bezombes and comfortable sofas await you around an imposing fireplace.

Up a few steps, in the center of the house, is the landing area on your way to the terrace, from here you can see the pantry and the open kitchen, both possessing top quality professional equipment. A few more steps up and the second living area with its large window opens onto a terrace overlooking the garden and out towards the Alpilles hills. This room is big enough for the craziest activities, with projector, games table, bar and drinks trolley, bookcases and reception area.

In the rock is a walled dining room.  In its bright, mineral décor, guests sit around a big glass table. The wine store is carved into the rock!

The six bedrooms all in different colors, are invitingly dreamy, with big beds, silky bed linen and bathrooms steeped in the emblematic scent of Hermès Eau d'Orange Verte.

The Orange suite, on the ground floor, is deliciously spacious, south facing and with a bathroom one could live in. You'll find the Le Corbusier style reading chair perfect for relaxing in the caress of the southern sun. 

The Yellow room is a bright, spacious suite opening onto its own terrace overlooking the garden and pool. A framed Hermès headscarf with a firework pattern in shades of yellow is accentuated by the light of the rising sun. 

The Purple room boasts an outstanding view of the Alpilles, framed by the century old wisteria with its huge hanging flowers. An especially peaceful room, symbolizing feminine softness, with a large, immaculate white bathroom.

The Red room, at sunset the view over a landscape of garrigue scrubland seems to catch fire, reddening the entire room.

The Black room could have been called the room of secrets. Even the bathroom has its mysteries! Über colorful, in the Christian Lacroix spirit, with a surprising Boucharouite rag rug in black leather on the floor. The small terrace leads directly to the garden.

The Blue room on the top floor has a sloping attic ceiling. It's ideal for youngsters and has its own lounge corner.

There is an office on the first floor landing area with a desk with computer and printer.

Across the garden is the former dovecote (an integral part of any Provençal Mas) where, hidden from view at the top of a flight of stone steps, is the massage and beauty care annex.

The fully enclosed garden of 5,000 square meters borders the Voie Aurélia, the old Roman road along the north side of the Alpilles range. Your first glimpse of the property comes as the big gate opens. In the foreground, generations of nettle trees, pines and mature oaks. Hidden species create secret places as you stroll around the Provençal terraced garden, with an herb bed.  There, a stand of flowering shrubs. Plants grow out between the old stones of the terrace walls; climbing roses and bushes below the walls add graphic effect and wafting scents. Perspectives lead the eye to Land Art works skillfully placed here and there around the garden, or to vistas of the Alpilles beyond. Ideal for a siesta is the old pond with its water lilies, darting goldfish and three water spouting sculptures by Max Crueize.

Below the house are shady terraces decked out as comfortable lounges. On one terrace people relax on the grass beside the heated pool. This is the setting for all your holiday fantasies! A swim, a sublime siesta, an evening with drinks by the pool, barbecues and party nights, and always that fabulous view of the Alpilles. The pool house boasts a very artsy 1970s oval bar and a summer kitchen you'll become expert at mixing  cocktails.  And what would Provence be without a pétanque party? The pétanque court is near the pool, a few step further down. 

The location of the Mas is exceptional in a quiet area, a 15 minute walk to the center of  St Remy-de-Provence, with is a lively charming classical little town capital of the Alpilles.  It has it all the amenities, boulangeries, little boutiques, quaint pavement cafes and excellent restaurants.  On its winding cobbled lanes you will discover the small squares, historic buildings, churches and museums and on Wednesday the colorful weekly market will offer the opportunity to discover local products and handicrafts which is a must see.

The landscape in this region is particularly picturesque, encompassing rolling hills dotted with quaint hilltop villages and countless hiking trails, extensive sunflower fields, olive groves. This region is steep with history with plenty of sites to visit such as Les Baux de Provence, considered one of the most beautiful villages in France.  Avignon, Arles, Nîmes and Uzès and the are other towns you can easily visit in a day, and at only 45 minutes' drive and to the east is the Luberon region and further south, Camargue’s unique wetland populated by pink flamingos and wild horses.