La Folie

This lovely house sits on a hillside in the Luberon region of the south of France; amid lavender fields and cherry orchards, overlooking the market town of Apt. Apt is a lively town known for its weekly Saturday market where farmers, artists, wine growers, cheese makers and merchants of all kinds, ply their wares, Apt features an eclectic array of cafés, galleries and restaurants hidden down narrow streets and winding alleys.

La Folie, a Provençal ‘Mas’ more than 200 years old was, has been lovingly restored in traditional Provençal style with the pink-brown ochre rendering and sage-green wooden shutters typical of the region.
Surrounded by broad stone terraces on three sides with a vine covered shade trellis, the property includes a large, heated and fully enclosed swimming pool....all nestled in flourishing landscaped gardens.
An area of 1.6 acres (0.66 hectares) surrounds the house keeping it wonderfully secluded and quiet.

As you enter you find the 20 meter long (65’) open-plan living, dining and kitchen area is bathed in light with windows on all four sides. Provençal wood and plaster ceilings, hand-hewn beams and broad expanses of terracotta tiled floor combine to create a warmth and comfort which is instantly apparent.
A large fireplace at one end of this huge room is surrounded by deliciously comfortable sofas and armchairs. Large cupboards contain generous quantities of table linen, kitchen utensils, tableware and other household essentials.

The kitchen area has been designed and equipped by people who love to cook;
Extensive granite work surfaces, large appliances including a double ‘Paul Bocuse’ oven range and an American refrigerator. Double sinks, dishwasher, microwave....oyster shuckers, fois gras slicers and champagne buckets....necessities for an indulgent holiday! There is an extensive library of cookbooks.
The open-plan format of the main room means that cooks are not excluded from sharing a glass or three with the rest of the party ... and on the other hand ... the rest of the party can all participate in the preparations!
The dining area very comfortably seats up to twelve. There is also a powder room on this level.

At the ‘east end’ of the main room a small flight of steps leads down to the library/computer room where a Dell desktop computer gives broadband wifi internet access. A printer and fax are also installed.

At the ‘west end’ of the main room behind the curving staircase, is an airy lounge with comfortable leather sofa and armchairs, an eclectic range of antiques, flat-screen TV and music system. Satellite television offers BBCTV, CNN and 40+ channels, plus BBC Radio and French TV networks. A VCR (PAL/SECAM), a stereo (CD & cassette), a DVD player and library of videos, DVDs, CDs and cassettes complete the home entertainment center. Four glass-paned doors in the north and south walls of the main room provide access to the outdoor terraces and dining areas.

First floor:
Two staircases, one at each end of the main room, lead upstairs to the five bedrooms, four bath and/or shower rooms and two additional powder rooms. The shower/bath rooms are all separate so that everyone can use whichever they chose..
Each of the bedrooms are light, comfortable and offer valley and mountain views. Each bedroom is decorated with period furniture, modern beds, bedside tables with reading lights and generous storage space.
There are three bedrooms with queen (160cm) beds, one bedroom with twin (90cm) beds which can also be joined to create one king (180cm), and the fifth bedroom has a single bed with a trundle which lifts to create twin beds.

The library/computer room has a convertible double sofa should anyone snore and/or feel like retreating!

Given the lie of the land, one side the house has a lower level which houses a large laundry room with two washing machines, dryer, sink and additional refrigerator.
There is also undercover parking for three vehicles and storage for the 6 bicycles which are there for the guests’ enjoyment.

There is an outdoor clothes line for those who love the smell of freshly laundered clothes.
The house is centrally heated by an environmentally friendly geothermal system for the cooler months and logs are supplied for the open fireplace which adds a cozy atmosphere.


Exterior: Around the house the gardens have been landscaped and are wonderfully green thanks to the eco-friendly drip-watering system and weekly visits of the gardener who tends all with loving care.
The 10m x 5m heated swimming pool is fenced in and has a safety-roller cover which also serves to keep the water warmer. It is tended weekly by a local pool company and is open from May through September. The pool area is furnished with comfortable loungers, wrought iron beds and sun umbrellas.

The terraces are furnished with wonderful iron dining tables and chairs, a gas barbecue, more sun loungers, side tables and armchairs. There are several shade areas on the terraces, there is even a double hammock, strung amidst the cool shade of tall trees.

Location: Apt, a town of 12,000 inhabitants well known for its Sunday market, is a 5 minute drive down the hill; The charming medieval villages such as Bonnieux, Lacoste, Menerbes, Roussillon and the famous antique market town of L’Isle sur la Sorgue, are all within 30 minutes drive.
Activities: Those who enjoy rock climbing can be in Buoux, well known to climbers and hill walkers, in less than 15 minutes by car. For a gentler walk or bicycle ride, the entire surrounding area is well worth exploring.
Restaurants to suit every budget are scattered about the countryside and the regions vineyards produce plenty of excellent wine.
The nearest airports are Marseille and Avignon. The nearest major train station is in Avignon.

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Included: Linens & towels,all household and pool linens, a mid-week 4-hour house cleaning service and all utilities except telephone usage. Should you be staying two weeks or longer, a Saturday house clean and linen change are included.

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Approx. Location of the french villa in Provence


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