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MAZET DE MANON

If a relaxing vacation in a stylish and comfortable house within easy walking distance of one of Provence’s most interesting village is something that appeals to you, Just France recommends taking a close look at Mazet de Manon. It is easy to imagine adopting the rhythm of life in Provence - slipping out of bed and heading for the pool for an invigorating morning swim then strolling into Saint-Rémy-de-Provence for a coffee and newspaper. After a quick walk back to the house bearing fresh croissants to enjoy on the stone terrace surrounded by flowers, discussion ensues to determine the plan for the day. In just a few days a feeling of relaxation will inevitably conquer the bustle of reality.

Mazet de Manon is found along a small country road on the west side of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, a typical Provençal village known for its Wednesday market, chic boutiques and bustling ring road dotted with restaurants and cafés. A flagstone terrace runs the length of the house and includes a teak table for six with a broad parasol. Other chairs rest along the façade under a fabric-covered tonnelle that provides shade. Adjacent to the terrace is a covered outdoor kitchen with built-in BBQ. Surrounded by a stone terrace, the lap pool (3 M X 15 M, 13’ X 32’) is perpendicular to the house, with roman steps at one end. Part of one side of the pool is covered, and a generous complement of chaises longues and another parasol are provided to maximize enjoyment of the picturesque setting. Broad lawns, mature cypresses and a 200-year old plane tree complete the enclosed half-acre property.

Entry to the house is through a huge arch to the foyer. Here is a wet bar with two stools before a long counter. An espresso maker shares space with the barware and the spot is convenient for a quick shot of strong coffee before heading out to lunch or an evening meal. The stylish living room opens from the foyer and comprises two loveseats and a settee done in wicker and wood with striped cushions. Completing the furnishings of this room are several windows framed with matching striped curtains, a bench, fireplace (non-working) and pine floors. The living room opens through a French door set in a large window to the front terrace.

The kitchen is accessed from the foyer and is notable for its muted colors and sparkling appliances. The kitchen is well-equipped, with an electric ceramic cooktop and oven, two-door stainless refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, toaster and a large and deep sink set into marble countertops. The dining room is between the kitchen and living room and has a wood table for four to six and a large pine buffet with place settings and serving pieces. Floors in the kitchen and dining room are of terra cotta tile.

Also on the ground floor is a TV room with a bed set up as a deep couch. Entertainment comes from a good-sized flatscreen TV with satellite connection and DVD player. An ensuite bathroom has a stone stall shower and a separate WC with vanity. The floors in this room are stone and there is a second large window with French door to the terrace.

Three air-conditioned bedrooms and baths are upstairs, each with its own décor. The master bedroom has wood floors and French doors overlooking the garden. With multiple closets and an antique vanity table, this room is sophisticated and exceedingly liveable. The ensuite bathroom is of dark tumbled marble and includes a bathtub with handheld shower, double vanity and WC. In an ingenious and successful effort to maximize space, the walk-in shower in this bathroom, and the one on the ground floor, are entered through a narrow opening that may restrict access by a heavier person.

The sultan room has a taste of the east, with richly colored and patterned linens and a niche with deep cushions and throw pillows, all embroidered with beads and finery. Closets are on either side of the bed and French windows overlook the terrace. The ensuite bathroom has a walk-in stall shower in a dark shade of tumbled marble, wood vanity and WC.

The fourth room has an exposed stone wall and a vaulted ceiling. It overlooks the centuries-old plane tree and has a unique feature - a half-wall behind the headboard, behind which is the bathroom. The bathtub has a hand-held shower and there is a long double vanity. The WC is next door.

In each of the bedrooms the beds can be made up as twins or a king-sized bed. The air-conditioners assure comfortable sleeping on even the warmest of nights, and the thick stone walls of the 18^th century farmhouse keep the house cool in summer and warm in winter.

The friendly English-speaking owners of Mazet de Manon live nearby and welcome guests personally. A laundry room with washing machine and separate dryer is in a dedicated space near the kitchen. Wireless high-speed Internet access is available throughout the house, and the system the owners have chosen also provides unlimited local calls to fixed numbers in France.

With Saint-Rémy about 20 minutes’ walk or less than 5 minutes by car, Mazet de Manon has an enviable location. The enchanting village of Eygalières is less than 15 minutes by car, and tucked into the foothills of the Alpilles mountains just to the south of Saint-Rémy are the villages of Les Baux de Provence and Maussane les Alpilles with their boutiques and numerous dining opportunities. The perched villages of the Luberon valley are less than 45 minutes to the east, with bustling Aix-en-Provence and the Marseille-Provence airport at Marignane the same distance to the southeast and south, respectively. Historic Avignon is less than 30 minutes to the north, and beyond it are the myriad villages of the Côtes du Rhône wine region, including Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Vacqueyras. Whether it is your first visit in the area or your tenth, Mazet de Manon is a convenient homebase for exploring Provence. With its long list of attractive features and amenities, it is an enchanting place to relax and absorb the charms of the region.