Description
This stunning village farmhouse in the village of Vers-Pont-du-Gard dates back from the 18th century. The combination of shutters, thick stone walls, ceiling insulation, ceiling fans and a reverse air-conditioning system ensures that the property remains cool in summer and warm in winter. This is an ideal property for renting year-round.
The whole house has been sympathetically restored and beautifully decorated while making sure original features have been kept intact. All comfort and luxury that this house demands are very much there. In truth a perfect balance has been struck here between authenticity and modern comfort.
The en suite bedrooms are cleverly spread around the property with one bedroom on the ground floor, two bedrooms in each upstairs wing with an additional study area. Each wing can be accessed via a dedicated staircase. This particular bedroom layout ensures a great level of privacy even when the property is at full capacity therefore there is never an overcrowded feeling.
It is an ideal setting for a family get together or a group of friends wanting to immerse themselves in the day-to-day life of a Provencal village.
The maximum capacity is up to 14 people including small children. For more details, please contact us.
Within walking distance of the property, you will find several restaurants, a bakery, a pharmacy, a hairdresser and a beautician. From the house you can walk or cycle to do your daily shopping and experience life like the locals do, at a slower pace. You will also find a lovely fresh produce farmers’ market in the main square three times a week. The supermarkets are about 10-minute drive away. You can also buy locally produced wine directly from the local vineyard or from the cooperative cellar. A selection of other fresh produce can also be purchased directly from the farmer.
Bikes can be hired close by, or you can simply walk to the surrounding vineyards as it is pleasant and easy stroll on flat ground. Other activities include wonderful walking routes in the countryside, canoeing down the Gardon river which flows straight under the world-famous Roman Pont du Gard aqueduct a mere 2km from the village. There are many ancient villages to discover within 30 minutes’ drive including Uzès 12km, Montaren et Saint Mediers or the magnificent Papal city of Avignon 28km. A stay at La Maison du Gardon will, without a doubt, make you feel part of this typically French landscape.
If it is a Provencal way of life experience, you are looking for then this is the house for you!
Property size: 250m².
Accommodation:
Living area:
Splendid and very spacious ground floor living/dining room with original beams, sofas, armchairs, fireplace (not in use), TV, DVD, hi-fi and French windows giving onto the garden. Dining area with table, chairs and desk.
Kitchen:
One step to kitchen (25m²) from the dining area. Open plan, spacious kitchen with central island and opening onto the dining area.
Dishwasher, washing machine, gas hob, fridge/freezer, microwave, oven, kettle, coffee machines and toaster.
The kitchen with its central island is one of the focal points of the house and a cook’s dream. The seating around the island and in the kitchen corner lends itself perfectly for socialising or for group cooking sessions while drinking a delicious glass of the lovely local rosé. Window looking out to the pool and garden.
Separate room: Dryer and wine fridge.
Bedrooms:
All bedrooms have original features such as wooden beams, lovely French country décor and furniture and all have crisp percale bedding which keeps you cool at night. Bedrooms 1, 2 and 3 are cool, benefitting from attic and ceiling insulation and also ceiling fans.
Ground floor:
Bedroom 1 (Constancia) (15m²): Bedroom with Queen size bed (160cm x 200cm) and en suite bathroom. Window giving onto a small village road.
First floor – East wing:
Landing area with two armchairs, desk, chair and printer.
Bedroom 2 (Springfield): Large bedroom with King size bed (180cm x 200cm). Beds can be separated on request to make two single beds. Daybed, fold-up bed, single futon for children. Cot. This bedroom can be used as a family suite. Window with garden and street view. Private bathroom just across the lobby.
Bedroom 3 (L’Ormarins): Queen size bed (160cm x 190cm) with en suite shower room. Window with view of the village.
First floor – West wing:
Bedrooms 4, 5 and the sitting area have reversible air conditioning.
Sitting area of the west wing with sofa bed and two armchairs.
Bedroom 4 (Dieu Donné): Queen size bed with en suite bathroom. (160cm x 200cm). Window with garden view.
Bedroom 5 (La Motte): King size bed (180cm x 200cm) with private shower room. Beds can be separated on request to make two single beds.
Bathrooms:
Ground floor: En suite to Bedroom 1. Bathroom with bath, overhead shower and wc. French door leading to terrace and pool.
First floor: Private to Bedroom 2 (just across the lobby). Bathroom with bath, overhead shower and wc.
En suite to Bedroom 3: Shower room with shower and wc.
En suite to Bedroom 4: Bathroom with bath, overhead shower and wc.
Private to Bedroom 5: Shower room with shower and wc.
Hair dryer in each bathroom.
Exterior:
Surrounded by ancient stone walls, climbing vines and fruit trees, the garden is a little Provencal haven, perfect to unwind after a busy day visiting the area.
Around the pool there are plenty of seating areas or sun loungers ideal for relaxing, soaking the sun or simply read a book. A lovely, shaded terrace with dining table and barbecue is just the spot for evening meals gazing at the stars.
The courtyard garden has a second entry through a gate which gives onto a small impasse, perfect for coming in and out with bicycles.
Parking for up to three cars in a gated car park (electric remote access) located 20m from the house during July and August. For additional cars there is available parking in the village square which is free of charge. Outside these dates, there is free car park on first come first served basis in a car park 30m away.
Pool:
Private pool. Pool size: 5.5m x 3m. Depth: shallow first step then sloping down to 2m deep. Security system: Alarm. Perfect pool for cooling off during the hot summers.
CHANGEOVER DAY: FRIDAY.
FROM JANUARY TO END OF APRIL AND OCTOBER TO DECEMBER NON-FRIDAY ARRIVALS/DEPARTUES MAY BE CONSIDERED.
For Christmas and New Year, a 2-week stay minimum applies. Please ask for details.
Check-in between 4pm-8pm. Check-out before 10am.
Included in the rent:
- Bed linen, towels (including pool towels).
- Water, gas and electricity. Electricity is on a meter from October to the end of March (guide only). Heating usage depends on various factors. Feel free to ask for more information.
Obligatory charges payable with balance:
- Refundable security deposit of 500€. The security deposit will be returned once an inventory has been completed no more than 10 days after departure by bank transfer.
- Holiday tax: The amount may vary from one year to another. Please ask at the time of booking.
Obligatory charges payable on arrival:
End of stay cleaning: 450€ (cash only).
Optional pre-bookable extras, payable on arrival
- Mid-stay linen (house towels and bed linen) and cleaning (2-3 hours): 350€ (cash only). This must be requested at least two months prior arrival.
- Baby-sitter, Concierge service, cleaning service, shopping for basic arrival package, meal in fridge can be organised.
- Private Chef, catering and cooking lessons, wine tastings, and musical evenings at the house can also be arranged. Please ask for details.
Other information:
The property is not overlooked as the elderly lady next door does not use the first floor of her property and the other side is sheltered by the tall wall and vegetation.
Two cots and two high chairs available. Please request at time of booking.
No pets allowed.
Minimum age to rent the property is 30. Please contact us for details.
Nearest airports: Nimes 34km, Avignon 36km, Marseille 115km.
TGV train stations in Nimes (34km) and Avignon (36km).
Shops:
Nearest shops: Bakery and newsagent 60m. Excellent café 100m with a range of coffees, wines, together with cheese and meat platters. Two restaurants in the village, a two-minute drive or ten-minute walk.
Supermarket 5km. Wide range of shops in Uzes (12km).
Hospital in Nimes (36km).
Places to visit nearby:
A fresh produce farmers market takes place on the square in three times a week in Vers-Pont-du-Gard including a fishmonger, charcuterie, cheese, wines, locally made nougat and honey. You can also buy wine directly from the kitchen door of the local vineyards. Food and wine are the main attractions of the area and sublime food markets abound, notably in Uzes 12km. The Saturday morning market in Uzes, only minutes away, is certainly one not to be missed.
Sunday: Sernhac (10km)
Monday: Vers-Pont-du-Gard
Tuesday: Saint-Hilaire-D’Ozilhan (6km)
Wednesday: Vers-Pont-du-Gard, Collias (5km) and Uzes (12km)
Thursday: Estézargues (13km)
Friday: Remoulins (6km)
Saturday: Vers-Pont-du-Gard and Uzes (12km)
DAY TRIP IDEAS:
Pont du Gard (2km): The Pont du Gard is a famous 2000-year-old Roman aqueduct, UNESCO World Heritage Site and icon of the south of France. It supplied water to Nimes for over five centuries, however by the 9th century it had started to fall into ruin. Much of the aqueduct is still intact today and it is a remarkable site. Nearly 300 metres long and almost 50 metres high, it comprises three levels of arches, progressively narrower at each level. Visitors can walk across the aqueduct to appreciate both the architectural achievement and the great views from the top. There is also a mile-long marked trail around the site so you can see the river and bridge from all angles. Down the road from Pont du Gard is Collias where you can enjoy walking, mountain biking, canoeing and kayaking along the Gorges du Gardon down to Pont du Gard.
Uzes (12km): This charming town is known for having one of the best and biggest markets in the region. The local Place aux Herbes is famous for hosting the market but is also definitely worth a visit on a non-market day with all its pretty outdoor cafés. A great place to watch the world go by! One thing to be said about Uzes is that unlike a lot of other Provencal villages that come to life in the summer, Uzes lives all year-round mixing tourists and locals. Also worth visiting are the magnificent mansions of Duché d’Uzes or the impressive St Etienne church. A stroll along the narrow streets, old-style squares and beautiful medieval towers that dominate the old town is somewhat special and highly recommended. The famous Uzes Provencal markets take place on Wednesday (less crowded than on Saturday) with regional products and specialities while the Saturday market is more about groceries, clothing, jewellery, linens, plants etc. Our advice is to get to the market early as it gets pretty busy.
Avignon (28km): Avignon, on the banks of the Rhone, is probably best-known these days for the children’s song – Sur le Pont d’Avignon. But for several decades in the 14th century, it was the capital of Christendom, after Pope Clement V moved his court here to avoid the chaos in Rome. The legacy of that papal schism can be seen today in the city’s UNESCO-protected architecture, including the vast Palais des Papes. And nearby Châteauneuf-du-Pape, site of a now-ruined castle built by a later pope, still produces acclaimed red wines. The city’s intact ramparts and pedestrianised centre lend Avignon a small-town, medieval feel. Yet each July, the city goes totally 21st century, as thousands of visitors descend for a contemporary performing arts extravaganza, the Festival d’Avignon.
Nimes (33km): The city of Nimes which has France’s finest collection of Roman remains among which the most impressive Roman arena, Maison Carrée, Tour Magne, Temple de Diane and many more remains. To this day Nimes arena hosts spectacular events from musical concerts to bullfighting (killing-free may we add)! Nimes is a lovely city to discover with its tree-lined boulevards, numerous parks, cathedrals all worth a visit. Our favourite are the Quai de la Fontaine leading to the Jardin de la Fontaine where you can stroll along and enjoy a relaxing and very scenic walk.
Les Baux de Provence (44km): Les Baux de Provence is a village like no other with very recognisable troglodyte habitats. The village is perched in isolation on top of a natural plateau, an ideal setting for observing the surrounding land and of course used as protection. This could explain why the site has been inhabited all the way back from prehistoric times until recent times. The soft limestone of the mountains has been used for decades to build towns and villages. Over fifty years ago Les Baux de Provence were placed under the protection of the Ministry of Culture and the Environment. Just over twenty years ago Les Baux de Provence became listed among The Most Beautiful Villages in France and as an Outstanding Heritage Site in 2019. Nowadays you can stroll along the village and discover its ruined castle and streets of abandoned houses, a church, a museum, and small modern tourist installations and many restaurants.
Other places of interest and within an hour’s drive include Anduze bamboo forest, perched villages of Lussan (30km), the amazing Cascades du Sautadet (37km), La Roque sur Ceze and Cornillon (both 42km).
A little further south (within an hour’s drive) you may want to pay a visit to the medieval walled town of Aigues Mortes, Grau du Roi and La Grande Motte in the heart of the magnificent Camargue. Also, well worth a day trip to Sète (1h15min). In April the Tall ships Escale with old sailing boats and a whole programme of musical entertainment, cultural activities, spectacular fireworks displays and more. You might also want to enjoy the Medieval boat jousting festival in Sète at the end of August. This is an annual water jousting festival which draws thousands of spectators, watching and celebrating along the river with drinks, frites and all enjoy a gorgeous Provencal sunny day.
NEARBY ACTIVITIES:
Golf: Uzes 12km.
Tennis: 800m.
Horse-riding: Several in the region. The closest equestrian centre is just 3km away.
Water parks: Oupa Splash (18km), La Bouscarasse (24km).
Hot air ballooning: Uzès (12km).