Le Mas Roussier
540 Route de Puyricard, 13090 Aix-en-Provence, France
Sleeps 12
Dining under the chestnut tree in the Courtyard
The Location
"Le Mas Roussier" lies 15 minutes north of the centre of Aix-en-Provence, and 2 kms from the attractive Provencal village of Puyricard which has good, but fairly basic shopping facilities, and a lively weekly market. (There is also a farmers' market within a kilometre of the house). The house is within a few kilometres of the start of the A51 autoroute, and ½ an hour's drive from the charming small Mediterranean resort of Cassis, known for its sea food and its excellent nearby beaches. It is 20 minutes from Marseilles international airport (Marignane), and 15 minutes from Aix' TGV station (the super-fast train).
The Setting
Quite apart from being one of France's most beautiful university cities with its elegant, tree-lined boulevards, its cascading fountains and its fascinating old town, Aix-en-Provence and the surrounding towns and villages comprise one of the country's leading cultural centres. Musical events abound (classical and jazz concerts, opera and ballet), whilst the piano festival at nearby La Roque d'Antéron lasts most of August.
In addition, Aix boasts a wealth of museums and art galleries, unlimited shopping opportunities and several Michelin-starred restaurants. Close to "Le Mas Roussier", with spectacular views of Mont Ste Victoire which he painted obsessively in his later years, is Cézanne's studio, now open to the public.
A 20-minute drive on a charming road through vineyards brings one to the heart of the Luberon, the dramatic landscape so evocatively depicted in the films "Jean de Florette" and "Manon des Sources". There are any number of stunning villages in the Luberon - Ansouis, Lourmarin, Vaugines, Apt, Bonnieux, Roussillon and Grambois to name but some.
The Sitting Room
The House
"Le Mas Roussier" stands in an attractive 6000 square metre garden (1 acre). It is an attractive, and most comfortably appointed Provençal villa, and comprises 2 ancient shepherds' houses, linked by a stunning "gallery" with floor to ceiling sliding glass doors on either side.
The property is accessed via electronically operated front gates, and is surrounded by trees and a high, dense hedge.
The Accommodation
Between the entrance gates and the front door is an extensive gravelled parking area.
Main House
The thick walls ensure that the house remains cool throughout the summer.
Ground Floor
The entrance hall gives access to:
- Cloakroom, with a WC and a wash basin.
- The Sitting Room, with deep sofas and a wood-burning fireplace. A satellite TV, a Video and a DVD player, and a Hi-Fi CD/tape system are situated partly in this room and partly in the next door "Gallery".
The Main House. (Facing the Courtyard)
- Off the Sitting Room is the Dining Room with a beamed ceiling and a table seating 10.
A glass-panelled door leads to the south-facing garden, and to 2 attractive dining areas, one on a small Terrace outside the Dining Room, and the other under a magnificent chestnut tree, lit by 2 spotlights which provide an attractive, diffused light. - An arched doorway links the Dining Room and the extensive, well-appointed kitchen, with an Aga-type cooker with twin ovens, a large fridge, a microwave, a dishwasher, and a breakfast table seating 6.
- Utility Room/Larder with a washing machine, a separate dryer, and a deep-freeze.
The Dining Room
- Bedroom 1, with a double bed, a TV, and a video player. A door leads to the south-facing Garden.
- Bathroom, with a bath, a separate shower and twin washbasins.
- Separate WC.
The principal staircase ascends to:
First Floor
On one side:
- A large child's bedroom (Bedroom 2), with a full-size single bed.
- Bedroom 3, with twin beds.
Bedroom 5
And on the other:
- Bedroom 4, with a child's bunk bed.
- Bedroom 5, with a king-size bed and windows on 3 sides.
- Ensuite dressing room, with an occasional single bed.
- Bathroom, with a bath, a walk-in-shower, and double washbasins.
- Separate WC.
Linking the Main House and the Guest House is the spacious Gallery (see above). There are well-protected outside dining areas on both its southern (see above) and northern sides.
Bedroom 8
Guest House
Ground Floor
- Bedroom 6, with a single bed. Plus a second single bed stored beneath it, thus allowing there to be 2 single beds in this Bedroom, or a double bed if linked together.
- Shower Room, with a WC.
- Separate WC
- Bedroom 7, with twin beds, French windows opening onto the garden.
- Bedroom 8, with a double bed and windows on 3 sides. Ensuite Bathroom with a bath, a walk-in shower and twin washbasins.
The Garden
The garden is well-maintained, has masses of colour as well as extensive lawns and a wide variety of shrubs and trees. Part of the garden can be flood-lit at night.
On the north-facing Terrace is a built-in barbecue, whilst there is a ping pong table in the gravelled Courtyard on the other side of the house. (Bats and balls are kept in a nearby shed).
The filtered, alarmed Swimming Pool measures 10 x 5 metres. It is 90cms deep at the shallow end, and 1.9 metres at the other. There are numerous comfortable sun beds.
NB Please switch off all outside lights before retiring to bed at night.
NB Please be very careful when using the barbecue - fires are a constant threat in Provence throughout the hotter months.
Looking towards the Main House
Other Facilities And Information
- Unless otherwise agreed, there should not be more than 12 people (including children and babies) staying in the House at any one time.
- Tenants will be met on arrival, and will be shown how everything works, both inside and out.
- There is a telephone system, and Wireless/Broadband internet access.
- Bed linen, bath and pool towels are provided free of charge, and will be changed on a weekly basis.
- There is an ironing board and an iron, and a high chair and a travel cot.
- The owner's insurance policy requires that all outside doors are locked, and that all windows as well as the iron entrance gates are closed whenever tenants are away from the property. Tenants will be provided with a remote control (plus the code) in order to open and close these entrance gates.
- There are many English and French-language books and videos, plus CD's and tapes.
- Along with the House Manual, there is a list of doctors, dentists, plumbers, electricians, etc. There are also details and brochures about local shops, restaurants, markets, cultural and sporting activities, plus many other suggestions of where to go and what to do.
- Mme Isabelle Deman is the cleaner, and is employed by the owner for 3 hours per day on 2 days per week. Tenants should pay her at Euros 12 per hour for any additional hours of work agreed with her.
- Maintenance of the pool and the garden are the owner's responsibility.
- As long as sufficient notice is given, a babysitter and/or a part-time cook can probably also be arranged. His/her/their wage will be the tenants' responsibility and, if requested, will be ascertained prior to the commencement of the tenancy.
- Tenants should advise Anglo French Properties Ltd at the end of each rental of any losses, breakages or damages. This is in lieu of an inventory.
- Besides the 9-hole golf course at the "Set Club" (4 kms from the house), there are a number of other courses within ½ an hour to an hour's drive, including Sainte Victoire at the foot of the eponymous mountain, and the 18-hole course designed by Severiano Ballasteros at the Pont Royal Country Club at Mallemort.
- There are tennis courts within 5 minutes' drive, together with organised sporting activities for children.
- The 'Ecuries de Venelles' (riding stables) are 15 minutes from the house.
- The best nearby Mediterranean beaches are in the "Calanques" (coves) to the west of Cassis, as well as the larger beaches east of this small coastal town, many of which have windsurfing, waterskiing and sailing facilities.
- Hiking, mountain biking, canoeing and rafting can be enjoyed in abundance in and around the spectacular Gorges du Verdon, whilst the Camargue offers wonderful opportunities to ride, bicycle and walk in its strange and fascinating atmosphere.
- In addition to the markets in the local towns and villages (the one in Aix' old town is particularly recommended), there is a farmers' market within easy walking distance of the house.
- Several local vineyards encourage visits, tastings, and on-the-spot purchases.
The "Gallery"
The Rent In 2008
| Month | Price |
|---|---|
| Saturday 28th June to Saturday 13th September | £4,830 per week |
Unless otherwise agreed, all lets will begin and end on a Saturday, and will be for a minimum of one week.
The above rent relates to tenancies of two weeks or more. Tenancies of only one week will carry a supplement of £200 over and above the rent as above.
Tenants should arrive between 5 pm and 6 pm on the commencement day, and should leave by 10 am on the agreed day of departure. They will be met on arrival at "Le Mas Roussier".
A close-up of the "Gallery" and the Main House
The Deposit
A deposit of 25% of the rent will be payable to Anglo French Properties Ltd on signing the Rental Agreement, with the balance to be paid 6 weeks prior to the commencement of the tenancy.
The Booking And Security Deposit
A Booking and Security Deposit of £500 will also be payable to Anglo French Properties Ltd on signing this Rental Agreement. This will secure the booking and will cover (a) the cost of telephone calls made during the tenancy, (b) the cost of replacing/making good any losses, breakages and/or damages incurred during the rental, and (c) any exceptional cleaning work which may be required at the end of the tenancy. It will be refunded (less any deductions as outlined above) within 8 weeks of the tenancy's conclusion.
The Kitchen
