St Razat
Chemin de Piecaud, 84160 Cucuron, Provence, France
Sleeps: A maximum of 10 adults, 4 children and a baby
"St Razat". Facing South and East
The Location And Setting
"St Razat" is a 300-year old south-facing Manor House located in utter peace and tranquillity in the heart of Provence. It is set in 45 hectares (110 acres) in the foothills of the southern Luberon, on the borders of the Luberon National Park.
The House has magnificent panoramic views over a patchwork of fields, vines, woods and hills. Mont Ste Victoire can be seen in the far distance which Paul Cézanne painted obsessively from his studio at its foot, and which is about 40 kms to the south of "St Razat". This mountain is just to the north of stunning Aix-en-Provence, the university city, with its wide, tree-lined boulevards, its outdoor cafés and restaurants, its spectacular fountains, its art galleries and museums (including Monet's studio), and its concert halls and opera houses - Aix hosts a world-renowned music festival each summer.
The nearest village is charming Cucuron (a relatively easy walk of 3 kms) with its small supermarket, its baker, and its modest restaurants and outdoor cafés. The larger village of Lourmarin (8 kms) has 2 particularly good restaurants, plus some excellent antique shops, boutiques, galleries and coffee shops. There is a large supermarket at Puyvert (10 kms), and a huge one at Pertuis (12 kms).
"St Razat" is 20 kms north of Exit 15 on the A51 autoroute, and 80 kms (50 minutes' drive) north of Marseilles' international airport (Marignane). The other major international airport of Nice is 3 hours' drive, whilst closer to hand are the smaller airports (some with international flights), of Avignon, Nîmes, Toulon and Montpellier. The super-fast train, the TGV, stops at Aix-en-Provence (35 minutes' drive), at Avignon (50 minutes) and at Marseilles (1 hour).
NB The TGV has its own station in Aix-en-Provence.
"St Razat" as seen from the entrance to the Property
The House
"St Razat" is a 2-storey house which has been totally renovated and refurnished to the very highest standards since it was purchased by its present owners in 2004. As it's tucked into a slope, its north-facing entrance door opens onto the First Floor, thus allowing luggage to be carried into and from the Bedrooms on this upper floor with the minimum of inconvenience.
Ground Floor
- The entrance door that is normally used is at the eastern end of the front of the House, and opens into a family room which in turn opens into the kitchen.
- This family room is in full view of the kitchen (and has a comfortable sofa and a satellite TV, a DVD player plus some DVD's), thus allowing parents preparing supper (or whatever) to keep an eye on small children.
- The large, very well-equipped kitchen has a breakfast table seating 12 at its centre. The AGA-type cooker has 4 gas-fired hobs plus a grill, a gas-fired oven as well as an electric one, and an extractor hood. Plus a large fridge/freezer, a dishwasher, twin sinks etc. French doors open onto the Eastern Terrace, which in turn leads down to the Pool.
- Off the kitchen is the roomy larder/utility room with a second fridge, a microwave, a sandwich toaster, etc, as well as a clothes washer and a separate dryer.
- In the vaulted room beyond the Larder/Utility Room is an ironing board and an iron.
The Kitchen with a table seating 12
- The family room also opens into the huge sitting room with its high, beamed ceiling, its imposing wood-burning fireplace, and comfortable sofas and armchairs. Twin French windows open onto the south-facing Main Terrace.
The Sitting Room
- Double doors on the west side of the Sitting Room lead to the main hall with its massive front door, and wide, stone staircase. However, this front door is seldom used, owners favouring the door leading to the Kitchen (ie as above).
The Main Hall
- Off this Main Hall is a W.C.
- On the west side of the Main Hall is the library with a dining table seating 8, a sofa and armchairs, a wood-burning fireplace, and a radio/CD player. Large French windows open onto the south-facing Main Terrace.
- On the Library's far side is bedroom 1. With a queen-size bed, plus a shower, a wash basin, and a separate W.C. French windows lead to the semi-screened end of the Main Terrace which, together with its own Kitchen (as below), allows the occupant of this Bedroom to be completely independent (if desired).
- A short flight of stairs descends from Bedroom 1 to a kitchen equipped with a small cooker, a fridge, a sink, and a sofa.
Bedroom 1
First Floor
The stairs ascend from the Main Hall to a Hallway spanning the length of the House, off which are 5 Bedrooms, all south-facing with magnificent views.
To the left are:
- The colourful Children'S Bedroom (Bedroom 2). With 2 full-size pairs of bunk beds (ie 4 beds in all), and a cot.
- A shower room with a W.C.
- Bedroom 3. With 2 wide, single beds.
Opening onto the corridor opposite this Bedroom is the north-facing entrance door (see above)
- Bedroom 4. With a queen-size double bed, and windows looking both south and east.
- Ensuite shower room with a W.C
Stairs ascend from Bedroom 4 to a small Mezzanine Floor.
Straight ahead (at the top of the stairs) are:
- Master Bedroom (Bedroom 5). With a king-size double bed.
- A spacious ensuite bathroom. With a bath, a separate walk-in-shower, double wash basins, and a door opening into Bedroom 2 (the Children's Bedroom).
- A separate W.C.
The Master Bedroom (Bedroom 5)
To the right of the stairs are:
- Bedroom 6. With a double bed.
- Ensuite shower room with a W.C.
Bedroom 5's ensuite Bathroom
The Grounds
"St Razat's" 45 hectares (110 acres) comprise garden, orchards, an olive grove, fields and woods.
The long, tree-lined drive leads from a very minor, gravelled road, and winds past the front of the house to the parking area on its west side.
Steps ascend from this parking area to the north-facing entrance door (see above), as well as to the wide main terrace which runs the length of the south front of the House. This Terrace is partly shaded by a pergola and a large sun umbrella, and is furnished with a dining table, chairs and comfortable sun beds. It sweeps round the eastern side of the House (the Kitchen side) where a second table (also shaded by a sun umbrella) allows tenants to breakfast in the morning sunshine.
Its south side also overlooks 2 further Terraces which are planted with Provencal flowers and shrubs, as well as with a wide variety of trees, including olives and cypresses.
Below these Terraces are lavender fields, orchards and olive groves, whilst a range of hills and mountains form a stunning backdrop, beyond which lies Aix-en-Provence.
Above and behind the house is the spring which, together with Mains water, fulfills the needs of the house, the garden and the property's cultivated land.
20 metres from the house's eastern Terrace is the magnificent fenced, filtered, infinity swimming pool. It is 17 metres in length (55 ft), 8 metres in width (27 ft) and 1.4 metres in depth (nearly 5 ft), and has Roman steps at its pool house end. There are a number of pool toys.
NB As the Pool is comparatively shallow, no diving is permitted.
NB There is an alarm system which is activated if a body of the average weight of a baby (or heavier) enters the water.
Nearby is an outside shower, plus a shower room and a W.C
The dining table and the sun beds and chairs can be placed in the open-fronted, shaded Pool House, or positioned around the Pool.
Also nearby is the large, gas-fired barbecue.
The Pool House is on the right
100 metres below and to the west of the House (and best approached by the imposing double wooden doors at the end of the middle Terrace) is the state-of-the-art, floodlit tennis court.
Looking south
Other Facilities And Information
- Unless otherwise agreed, there should not be more than 10 adults, 4 children and one baby 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.
- Bed linen, bath and pool towels are provided free of charge, and will be changed each Saturday.
- The House is centrally heated throughout.
- There is a telephone system, as well as Wireless/Broadband internet access.
- There is a cot, 2 travelling cots, a double and a single pram, 2 high chairs, and a play-pen.
The Children's Bedroom (Bedroom 2)
- Tenants should secure the House and set the alarm before leaving the property for whatever reason, having been shown on arrival how to operate the alarm system.
- No pet animals may be brought into the House at any time.
- The Cleaner, Cathy Taillard, is paid by the owner for a total of 2 hours' work per day on 5 days per week. Tenants should pay her at the rate of Euros 20 per hour for any agreed additional hours of work.
Milvia Lacomblez is the Caretaker. She will meet tenants on arrival, and should then be contacted in the event of problems of any kind, inside or out. She is also the source of much useful information about the property and its environs. - The Swimming Pool and the garden are maintained by a local contractor.
- A babysitter can probably be arranged. In addition, Cathy Taillard (the Cleaner) who is also an excellent cook, will be happy to prepare a hot or cold dinner for the tenants' evening of arrival, and also to cook, if requested in advance, on any other evening. His/her/their wages 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.
- There are English-language books throughout the House, plus board games and a card table.
- There are many children's toys.
- The table tennis table (which is stored in the garage together with bats and balls) can be set up by Finn on one of the Terraces should tenants so wish.
- There are 'boules', plus a badminton net, racquets and shuttlecocks, and a croquet set.
The floodlit Tennis Court
- "St Razat" has a most useful Information Folder which contains the telephone numbers of a doctor, a dentist, a plumber, an electrician, the pool contractor, the emergency services, etc. However, and as above, it may prove more practical to summon assistance through Finn re: any house or garden problems.
- This Information Folder also contains details on the local markets (and the day/s of the week on which each is held), local shops and their specialities (pottery and Provencal fabrics spring immediately to mind), recommended restaurants in various price ranges, and the many cultural and sporting events and activities taking place in the surrounding area.
- There is a Tourist Office in the neighbouring village of Cucuron which provides much useful advice and information.
Bedroom 6's Ensuite Shower Room
- Also consult the Information Folder and the brochures in the cupboard in the Main Hall re:
- The 18 and 9-hole golf courses in the vicinity, including the first class Pont-Royal (25 minutes' drive), and the mini golf for children of all ages at Lourmarin (15 minutes).
- The stables in Cucuron and other nearby "centres equestres" offering riding lessons, horse and pony trekking, etc.
- Canoeing, kayaking (and rafting) on the local rivers and lakes. The nearest point-of-hire is probably at Lauris on the Durance river (20 minutes). These lakes also offer swimming from sandy beaches, whilst several have quite reasonable restaurants on their shores.
- The spectacular Gorges du Verdon, Europe's Grand Canyon, offers adventure activities of many kinds.
- There are 3 adult and one children's bicycle in the garage - this is wonderful cycling country.
- Quite apart from the ½ hour walk into the local village of Cucuron to buy bread or to have a drink or a simple meal, there are many excellent walks in the vicinity. One of the best and arguably most challenging (carrying a Three Star rating in the Michelin Green Guide, a copy of which is kept in the House) starts just behind "St Razat" and ascends the Mourre Nègre whose summit is the highest point in the Luberon, and enjoys spectacular views in all directions.
- The vineyards which abound in the region, many offering tours, tastings and on-the-spot purchases.
- The stunning and hugely photogenic small towns and villages in the surrounding area - Vaugines (where the legendary "Jean de Florette" and "Manon des Sources" were filmed), Lourmarin, Ansouis, Apt, Bonnieux, Roussillon and Grambois to name but a few.
- The historic cities (and cultural centres) of Aix-en-Provence and Avignon.
- The many chateaux, abbeys, churches, gardens, art galleries, museums and archeological sites that are well worth a visit.
- The children's zoos and adventure playgrounds.
- The grottoes and caves, many of them exhibiting features of their fascinating pre-historic past.
- Flying, ballooning and parapenting over the spectacular local countryside.
- 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, several of which have windsurfing, waterskiing and sailing facilities. Cassis also has some good seafood restaurants.
The Rents In 2008
| Month | Price |
|---|---|
| May | £3,260 per week |
| June and September | £4,590 per week |
| July and August | £5,910 per week |
Unless otherwise agreed, all lets will be for a minimum of 1 week, and will begin and end on a Saturday. Tenants are required to arrive between 5 pm and 6 pm on the commencement day, and to leave by 10 am on the agreed day of departure. They will be met on arrival at "St Razat".
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.
