Moulin de la Tour
Route d'Arles, 13990 Fontvieille, Bouches-du-Rhone
Sleeps 16
"Moulin de la Tour"
The Location
"Moulin de la Tour" is situated in a very special part of Provence. This is van Gogh country - dazzling summers, sunflowers, olive trees, hill-top villages ("villages perchés"), the lovely hill country of the Alpilles, a wealth of Classical antiquities, the remote and mysterious wetlands of the Camargue (one of Europe's most important nature reserves, known especially for its pink flamingos, fighting bulls and wild horses), and all around, the scent of rosemary, thyme and lavender.
"Moulin de la Tour" is 1 Km from the attractive village of Fontvieille (with very reasonable shopping facilities, bars with tables and chairs on the pavement, several Michelin-rated restaurants, and an outstanding small hotel-with-dining room). It is also 8 Kms from Arles and Les Baux-de-Provence (the latter boasting 2 of France's most distinguished restaurants), and 20 Kms from St Rémy-de-Provence. Nimes, Avignon, Orange and Aix-en-Provence are all within easy driving distance. The nearest beach is at Stes Maries-de-la-Mer (½ hour's drive). Marseilles international airport (Marignane) is ¾ of an hour away, whilst there is a rather smaller international airport at Nîmes (25 minutes). The super-fast train, the TGV Mediterranée, stops at Avignon, where drivers can also put their cars aboard a train and travel with them to a number of European towns and cities.
The south-facing terrace in front of the Main House
The Property
"Moulin de la Tour" is a south-facing 18th century Provencal olive mill which was converted into a spectacular private house some 70 years ago. It has been renovated and redecorated with immense taste by its present owner who lives mainly in Paris. Its thick walls and high ground floor ceilings ensure a comfortable temperature in summer, whilst the former help to retain the heat in winter.
This elegant, spacious house has an air of peace and tranquillity. It stands in 4.5 hectares (11 acres), 3 hectares of which comprise an olive grove, an orchard, a vegetable garden, and a field of lavender. It is surrounded by sunny terraces, and overlooks extensive lawns studded with a variety of shrubs, flowers and shady trees. Tables and chairs are sited on the terraces and around the swimming pool, thus providing several settings in which to eat or simply relax.
The Accommodation
There are 2 separate buildings - the Main House (with the caretakers' apartment at one end), and the Annexe.
The Sitting Room (the "Salon"). The Dining Area is at the far end
They comprise:-
The Main House
Ground Floor
- The impressive stone-vaulted Sitting Room or "Salon" (200 square metres) with, at one end, a round Dining Table seating 12. (Should there be more than 12 for lunch and/or for dinner, it is suggested that the table and chairs from the kitchen next door are moved into the dining area).
- There are groups of comfortable sofas and armchairs in the Sitting Room, some fine pictures, a substantial double-sided wood-burning stone fireplace, a grand piano, a library area, a wide-angle satellite TV with a video and DVD player, and a CD/cassette player. There are 50 or so CD's in the Salon and the Pool House (see below).
Off the Sitting Room is:
- The principal staircase ascending to the First Floor. At its base is an ancient glass-topped well.
- Near the foot of this staircase is a Cloakroom/Wc.
The Games Room
- The stone-vaulted Games Room with a wood-burning fireplace, a French billiards table (no pockets!), a bar, and a fascinating collection of bullfight posters, photographs and costumes. (See "Other Facilities And Information" below).
- A second staircase ascends to the First Floor from the Games Room.
- The large, bright, fully-equipped kitchen with a table seating 8, and a larder/pantry on either side. Gas cooker, 1 electric and 2 gas ovens, 2 fridges (one with a freezer and an ice-maker), and a dishwasher.
The Kitchen
- The Utility Room with a washing machine and a dryer.
- Beyond the pantry on the far side of the kitchen is the Caretakers' Apartment.
First Floor
To the right, half-way up the principal staircase is:
- Bedroom 1 with a double bed, cupboards, and an en suite SHOWER ROOM with a WC.
At the top of the staircase is:
- The Hall, at the opposite (northern) end of which is the Front Entrance. ("Moulin" is built on a slope, and whereas its south - and lower - side has 2 storeys, its northern side is single-storeyed).
Off this Hall is:
- Bedroom 2 This is a Study/Occasional Bedroom, and has 2 children's-sized beds.
A door at the far end of this Study leads to:
The Master Bedroom
- Bedroom 3 (The Master Bedroom) with a canopied double bed, and a spacious en suite bathroom with a bath, a separate shower, double washbasins and a WC. Both this bedroom and its bathroom have an air-conditioning system.
Leading from the HALL is a passage, off which are:
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- Bedroom 4 with a double bed, a small adjoining Dressing Room, and an en suite Bathroom with a bath, a separate shower, and a WC.
- Bedroom 5 with a double and a single bed. Like the Master Bedroom, this room can be air-conditioned. It has its own Dressing Room, as well as a Bathroom with a bath, a separate shower and a WC.
At the far end of this passage is:
- Bedroom 6. This large, wooden-beamed children's room has 2 pairs of bunk beds (ie 4 beds in all), and a separate double bed which can be split so as to make 2 single beds. Ensuite Shower Room with a WC.
Bedroom Six
The Annexe (Single-storied)
Situated about 20 metres west of the Main House.
- Living Room with table-top football and, in one corner, a Kitchenette with 2 electric hobs, a fridge and a sink.
- Bedrooms 7 & 8, each with a double bed which can be split so as to make 2 single beds.
- Bedroom 9 with a double bed.
2 of these 3 Bedrooms have direct access to the garden. There are lots of cupboards throughout the Annexe. - Bathroom with a bath, a separate shower and a WC.
- Bathroom with a shower and a WC
The Grounds
From the entrance gates, the cypress-lined drive leads through an olive grove to the front door on "Moulin's" north side. There is masses of parking space near the front door.
Besides olives and vines, there are many nut and fruit trees in the grounds - almond, fig, apple, pomegranate, mulberry, cherry, apricot and plum to name just some. Hibiscus, oleander, roses and geraniums add colour to the attractive, well-maintained garden.
The Master Bedroom's en suite Bathroom
- Just off the drive is a first-class all-weather TENNIS COURT (with an umpire's chair!).
- In one corner is the magnificent, alarmed, filtered SWIMMING POOL (13 x 5.5 metres). Wide steps give access to the shallow end (80 cms), the bottom shelving to 2.5 metres at the deep end.
There is an excellent range of parasols, sun beds, and pool-side tables and chairs. - Nearby is the attractive POOL HOUSE with an indoor barbeque and a table seating 16. It also has 2 changing rooms, a shower and a WC.
- There is a "Boules" court in the garden. The balls are kept in the MAIN HOUSE.
- Both the garden and the pool can be floodlit.
The Tennis Court
Other Facilities And Information
- There should not be more than 16 people in all (including children and babies) staying in the Main House and the Annexe at any one time.
- There is an electric heating system throughout both the Main House and the Annexe.
- There is a telephone/fax system with extensions in all the bedrooms in the Main House, and calls can be made room-to-room.
- There is Broadband/Wireless internet access.
- The caretakers are Marc and Jany Tombini.
The rent includes 4 hours of general housework per day on 7 days per week (including bed-making and bathroom cleaning, as well as changing and washing bed linen and bath and pool towels on a weekly basis), such tasks to be performed by Jany and anyone she may employ on a temporary basis to assist her. In addition, she is happy to wash and iron tenants' clothes at the rate per hour as set out below.
Marc looks after the buildings, the grounds, the swimming pool and the tennis court, and is paid by the owner for performing these duties.
Marc and Jany are excellent cooks, and one or other will, if asked, cook lunches or dinners in the Kitchen or on the Pool House barbecue on an occasional or regular basis. Marc is also willing to deliver or collect tenants to/from local airports, railway stations or wherever, and to do any shopping (particularly for food) which may be required.
Each will charge Euros 14 per hour for all such additional services, and will present tenants with a weekly bill for any such extra hours. - There are a high chair and 2 cots (but no bedding).
- The owners' insurance policy requires that all downstairs windows and shutters are closed, and that all outside doors are locked whenever tenants are away from the property.
- There is a useful folder in the MAIN HOUSE containing the telephone numbers of doctors, dentists etc. (Marc or Jany should be advised if, for instance, a plumber or electrician is required). There are also hints and instructions regarding the buildings and the grounds. Marc has expert knowledge on the superb local outdoor markets in Arles, St Rémy, etc.
- The ping pong table which is kept in the garage can be set up in the garden or on any terrace.
- The Camargue offers wonderful opportunities to ride, bicycle and walk in its strange and fascinating atmosphere.
- There is also excellent riding, cycling and walking in the Alpilles hills close to Les Baux-de-Provence.
- Bicycles can be hired in several local villages, and there are also a number of nearby livery stables. (Please see the folder as above).
The Pool House is in the background
- The nearest beach is at Stes Maries-de-la-Mer (½ hour's drive). Its local church (and its patron saint, Sara) is the goal each May of the "Pélerinage des Gitanes", the huge and colourful gypsies' pilgrimage from all over Europe.
- The beaches around Cassis (1¼ hours' drive) offer windsurfing, waterskiing and sailing.
- The nearest golf courses (all 18 holes) are at Les Baux-de-Provence (10 minutes), Mouriès (15 minutes) and Nîmes (25 minutes).
- Bullfights (where the bulls are killed) take place in Arles in April and September, and in Nîmes at the end of May and September (Nîmes is graded as one of the 5 top bullrings in Europe, ie along with Madrid and Seville).
There are many other bull-oriented events and festivals. Local villages stage "courses à la cocarde", whilst the Camargue holds both private "tientas" (the testing of the young bulls reared on its plains), as well as actual Provencal-style fights where the bulls are not killed. - Apart from the great restaurants mentioned under "THE LOCATION" above, there are any number of good restaurants in the vicinity in all price ranges. Several feature gypsy music, and in particular, flamenco.
- Many local vineyards offer wine tastings and on-the-spot purchases. Particularly recommended are the white and rosé wines of nearby Chateau d'Estoublon.
- This region is one of France's most significant cultural treasure houses. Of interest, for instance, are the Roman amphitheatres in Arles (holding 20,000 spectators) and Orange (both still very much in use), the necropolis of Alyscamps, the classical excavations near St. Rémy as well as its Van Gogh museum, and the nearby Abbey of Montmajour, the goal of numberless pilgrims throughout the Middle Ages.
- There are distinguished annual music festivals in Aix-en-Provence and Orange.
- Tenants should advise Marc or Jany as well as Anglo French Properties Ltd at the end of each rental of any losses, breakages or damages. This is in lieu of an inventory.
The Rents In 2008
| Month | Price |
|---|---|
| May | £5,470 per week |
| June & September | £6,500 per week |
| July & August | £7,520 per week |
| October & November | £5,470 per week |
In principle, and unless otherwise agreed, all lets will be for a minimum of 1 week, and will begin and end on a Saturday. However, there are occasions when the period of availability will be less than 1 week, and/or the start or ending date will not be a Saturday.
Tenants should arrive as soon as possible after 5 pm on the commencement day (not earlier), and should leave before 10 am on the agreed day of departure. They will be met on arrival by the caretakers.
The Deposit
A deposit of 25% of the rent will be payable to Anglo French Properties Ltd on signing a 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 a Rental Agreement. This will secure the booking and will cover (a) the cost of telephone and fax calls made during the tenancy, (b) the cost of replacing/making good any losses, breakages and/or damages incurred during the rental, and (c) the cost of any exceptional cleaning work which may be required at the end of the tenancy.
This Booking and Security Deposit will be refunded (less any deductions as outlined above) within 8 weeks of the conclusion of the tenancy.
