Description
This wonderful stone Provencal property is located in authentic Provence, within walking distance of the pretty village of Viens. La Maison de Castillon was fully renovated in 2023 and decorated with great taste. The house can sleep up to 10 people in 5 beautiful bedrooms, 2 on the ground floor and 3 on the first floor.
An additional independent bedroom is located on a lower level and is available for a supplement. Please ask for details.
Space, peace and mesmerizing views, this property offers something that is somewhat special, and it is only when you are here that you realise the extent of the natural beauty that surrounds you.
The property has air conditioning throughout along with underfloor cooling or heating system depending on the time of year. Set in large terraced, enclosed grounds with superb countryside views, there is a large private infinity pool with pool house that can be accessed from the living room.
Adults and children will all find something they love about this property, whether it is a having dip in the large swimming pool, playing table tennis, a game of pétanque on the boules court, or kicking a ball about on the flat grass by the pool. Guests can wander around the terraced grounds and pick apples, figs or grapes or quietly enjoy reading a book on the lovely decked terrace located above the pool. For those seeking to sunbathe there are opportunities to do so by the pool or on the very large terrace which offers some of the most stunning Luberon mountain views you will come across. The pool house facilities will inevitably be the outdoor focus of the villa at mealtimes. There’s a charcoal barbecue, a pizza oven and even handy induction plate.
The market town of Apt with its famous Saturday market is only 20 min drive away. This is a definite must! Within walking distance is the local village of Viens with a bakery, grocery shop and restaurant. Several quality restaurants are also nearby.
Local attractions nearby include the Colorado Provencal with its incredible ochre-coloured rocks, the famous lavender fields as well as many wonderful villages to visit.
Property size: 220m2.
Accommodation:
Living area:
Ground floor – Entrance level
Beautiful and very spacious living/dining room with high ceilings, beams, sofas, TV (English channels) and fireplace (wood provided). Double French doors lead to a very large and furnished terrace with truly stunning countryside views.
Dining area between the living room and the kitchen with table and ten chairs.
Kitchen:
Ground floor:
Kitchen opening onto the living/dining room with dishwasher, oven, microwave, induction hotplates, fridge, ice maker, kettle, coffee machines (Nespresso and filter coffee) and toaster.
Large utility room in a separate building with fridge/freezer, two washing machines, dryer, iron, ironing board and vacuum.
Bedrooms:
Air conditioning in the hallway by all bedrooms as well as underfloor cooling or heating system on both floors.
Ground floor:
Bedroom 1: Splendid bedroom with King size bed (180cm x 200cm). Open access to a private and spacious bathroom. Window with hill views and French doors leading to the large terrace.
Bedroom 2: Bedroom with Queen size bed (160cm x 200cm) and open access to a private shower room.
First floor:
Bedroom 3: Bedroom with Queen size bed (160cm x 200cm), window with hill views and open access to a private and spacious shower room.
Bedroom 4: Bedroom with Queen size bed (160cm x 200cm), window overlooking garden and sharing a shower room with Bedroom 5.
Bedroom 5: Bedroom with Queen size bed (160cm x 200cm), window overlooking garden and sharing a shower room with Bedroom 4.
Not included in the price but can be requested for a supplement.
Bedroom 6: Independent bedroom located on a lower level and accessible from outside. The bedroom can sleep two adults and two children with Queen size bed (160cm x 200cm) and quality double sofa bed. Open access to a private shower room. There is no air conditioning, but there is a fan.
Bathrooms:
Ground floor:
Spacious bathroom private to Bedroom 1 with bath, shower cubicle, sink and wc.
Shower room private to Bedroom 2 with shower, sink and wc.
Separate wc.
First floor:
Shower room private to Bedroom 3 with shower, sink and wc.
Shower room shared between Bedrooms 4 and 5 with shower and sink.
Separate wc.
Shower room private to Bedroom 6 (not included in the price but can be requested for a supplement) with shower, double sink and separate wc.
One hair dryer per bathroom.
Exterior:
5000m2 of enclosed grounds made up of Mediterranean vegetation and orchards including apple and fig trees, grapevines and more. Relaxing decked area on an elevated position with view of the grounds and pool.
Huge terrace (80m2) off the living/dining room with table and chairs. Large relaxing area with corner bench. Panoramic views of the valley and Luberon mountains.
Large terrace on the opposite side of the property with pool house comprising outdoor furniture, pizza oven, charcoal barbecue and induction plate. Outdoor shower. Wc.
Table tennis table (bats and balls provided). Grassy area for children to play. Boules pitch. Ten sun loungers. Parking for several cars.
Private swimming pool:
Pool size: 13m x 5m. Depth 0.4m - 1.6m. Security system: Fenced. Saltwater (A saltwater pool has much lower salinity than sea water and because it has lower chlorine levels it is much gentler on the eyes and skin). Open from April to end of September. Beach style entrance to the pool.
CHANGEOVER DAY:
SATURDAY. BEFORE JUNE AND FROM OCTOBER NON-SATURDAY ARRIVALS/DEPARTURES MAY BE CONSIDERED. PLEASE ASK FOR DETAILS
Check-in between 4pm-8pm. Checkout before 10am.
Included in the rent:
- Bed linen and towels (including pool towels). For two week-stays or more a change of bed linen and house towel along with four hours cleaning for one cleaner or two hours cleaning if two cleaners are included.
- Water and electricity.
- End of stay cleaning: Whilst the end of stay cleaning is included the property must be left in good order (kitchen, dishes done and put away, bins emptied and all linen put together in a pile). Failing that a charge may apply.
Obligatory charge payable with balance:
Refundable security deposit of 2000€ or £1700. The security deposit will be returned once an inventory has been completed no more than 10 days after departure by bank transfer.
Obligatory charges payable on arrival:
Holiday tax: The amount may vary from one year to another. Please ask at the time of booking.
Other information:
Cot and high chair available on request. Must be requested at the time of booking.
Sorry no pets allowed.
No smoking in the villa.
Nearest airports: Marseille 90km. Avignon 62km.
Train: Avignon TGV 72km.
Shops:
Small supermarket, bakery and restaurant in Viens (900m).
Good selection of shops, bars and restaurants as well as huge weekly market in Apt (17km).
Hospital: Apt (17km).
Places to visit nearby
LOCAL MARKETS:
Sunday: Reillanne (20km)
Monday: Goult (31km)
Tuesday: Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt (20km), Banon (22km)
Wednesday: Apt (17km) (July-August only)
Thursday: Cereste (28km)
Friday: Gargas (22km), Lourmarin (35km) - particularly recommended.
Saturday: Apt (17km) is the largest and best in the area. It takes up the whole town, but the nicest part is towards the Place de la Bouquerie. Please note that in summer, it can take a bit of time to find a place to park.
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS:
Viens (900m): The nearest Medieval perched village with regular Wednesday morning market and festival in August.
Les Davids (8km): Nearby organic vineyard and farm run by the owners of the Hameau des Treimars with farm shop offering a selection of wines, fruit, vegetables and local produce. Deliveries to the property also available.
Simiane la Rotonde (13km): Hilltop village with Medieval castle and international Baroque music festival in summer.
Reillane (16km): A fascinating and authentic Provencal village famous for its incredible festival in June. Wander through the historic old village or visit the Sunday morning market.
Banon (22km): Buy some of the famous and tasty Banon goat cheese at either market (every Tuesday and Saturday morning) and visit Le Bleuet, a fascinating book shop spread over four floors in the heart of the village.
The Colorado Provencal (12km): Situated between the villages of Rustrel and Gignac waymarked walks take you through a unique and colourful desert scenery with yellow and red rock formations created when ochre was quarried in the area.
Saignon (17km): With its Roman church, walks, horse riding and superb views from the top of the village. Saignon is a must!
Parc Naturel Regional du Luberon (21km): This is a region of stunning natural beauty with superb, varied scenery and outstanding views. To the north you will find the wild mountain scenery of the Vaucluse hills and famous Mont Ventoux. To the south the amazing oak and pine covered slopes of the Luberon mountains. The Luberon valley is dotted with vineyards, cherry orchards and lavender fields enhanced by stunning hill-top villages. This region is also renowned for its quality restaurants and locally produced fruit, cheeses, honey and many other irresistible delights. You will also find many very good local vineyards producing excellent Cotes du Luberon and Cotes de Ventoux with tastings available at all the small Domains as well as the two big ‘Cave Cooperatives’. Colourful Provencal fabrics and beautiful table linen are also available in the charming local markets along with a large variety of pottery. A number of the villages have art galleries where you can view and buy from local artists.
Lavender fields around Sault (34km): Around June-July and onto August the scent and colour of lavender fields encapsulate the very essence of Provence. The French author Jean Giono called lavender “the soul of Provence”. There is a concentration of lavender fields from the high plateaux around Sault, at the foot of the famous Mont Ventoux, and also around Apt and Gordes.
DAY TRIP IDEAS
L’Isle sur la Sorgue (49km): Pretty market town, much loved for its antique shops and twice weekly markets. Once an important fishing town, with an abundance of crayfish in the River Sorgue, there are also several canals running through the centre. Perhaps, unsurprisingly, the town has been called the Venice of Provence. The river has influenced the development of the town, providing for thriving crafts and industries, flour mills, wool and silk workshops. Many of the waterwheels remain adding to the picturesque charm of the town. Each Sunday there is quite a carnival atmosphere with a flea market, regarded as of the best antique markets in France (Thursday in normal market day).
Aix en Provence (63km): Lively and very appealing town with numerous restaurants and bars near the famous tree-lined Cours Mirabeau, markets on most week-days where you can sample regional produce including Calissons d’Aix (delicious marzipan based confectionery). There are lots of wonderful art galleries all within walking distance from one another in the centre of Aix, shops, music and much more!
Avignon (70km): 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.
NEARBY ACTIVITIES:
Golf: Golf du Pays d’Apt (19km).
Tennis Apt (20km).
Horse-riding (10km).
Bike hire Apt (17km).