France Vacations

Luxury Villas

When one thinks of Provence, the vibrantly colorful, Impressionist paintings of Vincent van Gogh quickly spring to mind. A brief, but intensely productive period of his life was spent in St. Rémy de Provence painting scenes of its local cafés, nearby olive groves and vineyards, and the craggy backdrop of the Alpilles hills. These are the same scenes you'll still find as you stroll the short distance between Le Demi and St. Rémy along a quiet country road.

Le Demi itself is a wonderfully unpretentious, traditional farmhouse that was constructed in the early 1800s. Typical of a Provencal mas , the house is a long, rectangular building which, in the 1970s, was divided in two houses, now separated by a high garden wall covered with flowering lauriers which gives each half (or demi ) complete privacy. When the current owners stumbled on Le Demi, it was a veritable ruin. Over the course of two years, they carefully restored the house with a relaxed, uncluttered style that captures the pace and feel of Provençal living.

Le Demi is ideal for small groups or families with older children. There is a relaxed connection between inside and out. The generous living room centred on a working fireplace connects directly to the garden and outdoor terrace while the kitchen opens to a covered outdoor terrace where meals are enjoyed in fine weather. Despite the historic feel of the house, its renovations include conveniences like broadband wireless internet connection throughout the house, a dedicated fax line, in-floor radiant heating for cool weather, and air conditioning in all bedrooms for the rare of occasion that the thick stones walls are not sufficient to keep the house cool. Outside, the 1-1/2 acre property is beautifully landscaped with fruit trees, flowering lilacs and a shady fig tree, broad lawns and borders of lavender. Set slightly away from the house, and framed by olive trees and a dramatic rock wall, is the swimming pool – dramatically lit at night.

When finally you're ready to explore, the location of Le Demi is ideal. You can walk into bustling St. Rémy, cycle on quiet, very flat country roads, go hiking in the dramatic Alpilles hills, or drive in just minutes to a long list of Provence's must-see sites and towns.

Sleeps up to 6 people in 3 bedrooms, two of which are in the adjacent dependence (annex). Main house, top floor: Bedroom 1 (Queen, 63") with private bathroom (large walk-in shower). Ground floor: powder room/laundry. Annex: Bedroom 2 (Twin beds, 36", can be combined as King) with en suite bathroom (tub and separate w.c.); Bedroom 3 (Queen, 63") with en suite bathroom (walk-in shower). Annex is accessed via covered terrace (about 10 yards), and is unsuited for young children unaccompanied by adults.

Large living room with fireplace & dining room open directly to garden; country kitchen has eat-in breakfast table for six.

Well-landscaped, private setting on 1-1/2 acres of land. Covered terrace for outdoor dining (seats up to 10) with stone BBQ. Lawns, olive & fruit trees, flower gardens & lavender. Chlorine-free swimming pool (13'x42') with parasols & cushioned loungers.

Well equipped country kitchen with stainless steel 2-door refrigerator, Smeg 5-burner gas stove, dishwasher; American standard washer, dryer. Broadband wireless internet; fax lines in rooms throughout house; satellite TV (CNN International, BBC World), stereo, CD player with speakers inside and out; central in-floor heating, and air conditioning in all bedrooms.

• Ideal for small groups or families with older children; all bedrooms with private baths.
• Superb location within walking distance of fashionable St. Rémy.
• Recent renovations with simple, uncluttered décor, and modern conveniences like air conditioning.
• Proximity to must-see sights and towns of Provence.

St. Rémy de Provence (1km); Avignon, Arles, Les-Baux-de-Provence (15-25 min); Pont du Gard & historic Uzès (40min); Lubéron Valley hilltop villages of Gordes, Ménerbes, Roussillon (40-50min); Côte du Rhône vineyards, Chteauneuf-du-Pape (45min); Aix-en-Provence & Marseille (including airport) within 1 hour.

Excellent flat cycling; good walking & hiking on national footpath network & in Alpilles hills; golf & tennis nearby; horseback riding in Camargue; bull fights; canoeing; beaches.

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