Le Beau Mas

This handsome holiday home nestles below the mighty Mont Ventoux; at just over 1,900m, the so-called Giant of Provence dominates the landscape with its barren rocky summit which, from a distance, appears snow-capped even in the height of summer. Back down in the valley the contrast could not be greater however, with green fields, fruit orchards and forest-clad hills stretching away from the villa in every direction.

Le Beau Mas is set in one hectare of informally landscaped gardens, with plenty of lawn space for play and mature trees for shade and privacy. The focal point of the house is the pool; flanked by tall cypresses, there are views over Mont Serein and lots of lounging space both in and out of the sun. It’s delightfully easy to lose track of time and everything else in this wonderfully serene spot, and with Malaucène village just 1.5km away, you don’t need to stray far to find shops and restaurants. Malaucène is the capital of the Ventoux region, built around an ancient fort and famous locally for its cherries and other excellent garden produce. You can stock up at the Wednesday market and enjoy picnic meals on the dining terrace overlooking the pool, or if that seems like too much effort on holiday you'll find many excellent dining options in the area.

The house is very light and bright, in a Moroccan style with bold colours, big French windows and a relaxed, family-home feeling. With five bedrooms, Le Beau Mas works well for two families travelling together; as well as the lovely private pool you’ll find tennis, bike hire, horse-riding, golf and various river activities offered within a 10-40km radius, so there is plenty to keep both adults and children entertained.

The Local Area

Malaucène (1.5km) offers everything you’ll need in terms of shopping and restaurants, and it’s worth an hour or two of gentle exploring to see the grand old residences that date from the town’s heyday in the 16^th-18^th centuries. There are various walking trails starting from the town, and serious cyclists can tackle the brutal route up the Mont Ventoux, which is also easily accessible by car. Other local highlights are picturesque Vaison La Romaine (11km), a major centre for Provençal festivals and cultural events, and Séguret (21km) listed as one of the 'most beautiful villages of France', set at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail Mountains in the heart of the Côtes du Rhône vineyards. Sablet (21km) is one of 12 villages awarded the distinction of Côtes du Rhône Villages, while both Orange and Avignon are reachable in about 45 minutes by car.

Our choice of French properties is diverse, ranging from simple charm to genuine luxury and style. Much of our portfolio is privately owned, and price alone is therefore not a universal guide. We contract all our accommodation in person, and each property has its individual appeal.

To help you make the right choice based on your own priorities, we have devised a simple grading guide to be considered in conjunction with each individual property description, awarding up to a maximum of five stars for the below categories.