Splendid Luberon villa with Menerbes views

Sleeps 10 in the 'Golden Triangle' of Provence

'Belvoir' is an elegant, spacious, 5-bedroom Luberon villa with a big garden, looking onto the fabled village of Menerbes, framed against the Luberon Mountain.

This is the village where Peter Mayle gave up the rat race to write ‘A Year in Provence,’ and after staying here you may want to join him.

The house sleeps ten in great comfort. The views are not spoiled by neighbours - you cannot see any. Just the lush landscape of vineyards and cherry orchards. There is a big sunny garden (2.5 acres), surrounded by woods of green oaks.

This is a dream location - at the very heart of the Luberon, 2 miles from Menerbes, in the middle of all the idyllic, medieval hill-top villages like Gordes, Roussillon, Oppede-le-Vieux, Lourmarin, Lacoste and Bonnieux - each of them officially one of The Most Beautiful Villages in France, and each a few minutes drive or a cycle away.

As the owners live here in the winter months, there is no compromise on quality of fixtures and furnishings. The decoration is a mix of contemporary with some furniture from the 1700s and 1800s. Beds and mattresses are all very good quality (no hand-me-downs here!), pillows are hypo-allergenic, cotton sheets and towels are included.

The dominant colour of the ground floor is a vibrant yellow and creamy white. The first floor is white and blue, for calm and serenity. All rooms are spacious and have good proportions. On both floors, large windows and glass doors open onto the garden or loggia. In spite of the many openings, the rooms remain cool on hot summer days.

The kitchen is very well equipped as the owners are cooking fanatics. The big American refrigerator even dispenses ice in different sizes. The villa sleeps ten, but you can entertain for up to 18 - all the equipment you would find at home is here.

By the outside dining table there is also an outside kitchen, with sink, fridge and the king of barbecues - you spend all day outside in Provence, so these extras come in very handy!

The pool is not a bright blue eyesore, it is a subtle shade of dark which makes it blend in with the surroundings. The pool is chlorine-free, which children love - no sore eyes - and has a rigid electric cover for security.

There are 10 sunloungers, parasols and side chairs, and pool towels are included.

Due to concerns about the pool and the furniture, please note that we cannot accept children under the age of 6.

Eating all your meals outside is one of the pleasures of Provence - here you have a choice of spots, according to the time of day. We like to have breakfast among the flowers of the southern terrace, and lunch and dinner on the western terrace, under the shade of the vine-clad pergola and the kiwi tree.

Between meals you may find time to wander down to the flower and vegetable gardens and pick your own.

Where?

'Belvoir' is an hour from Marseille and Nimes International Airports, 45 minutes from Avignon train station. Within an hour's drive are Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, Arles, St Remy, Orange, the Rhone wine trail. The French Riviera is 2 hours away, Italy and the Alps 2.5 hours.

Menerbes is the heart of one of the enchanted corners of this world. Close your eyes and think of Provence and this is what you see: the lavender-scented landscapes; daily markets overflowing with local produce; the charming Provencal people; hilltop villages rising above the sea of vineyards and sunflowers; outstanding food and wine; and the sensational quality of light that has always brought painters and poets here. In Provence, everything simply tastes, smells, and looks better than at home. And it’s all right on your doorstep.

You can find out all about Menerbes, the Luberon and Provence, with lots of pictures, by clicking on the links here, below or at the top.

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