La Madeleine is in a small, quiet hamlet between the villages of Lioux and Joucas, north of Roussillon and south of Murs, and has been designed and decorated for those who love preparing good food, or exploring a special part of the world, or experiencing a slice of life in Provence.

The owner of this house grows ancient tomato varieties that are much sought after by restaurants around France. He is a dedicated advocate of the beauty of simple, natural produce, quickly prepared, which is why the kitchen is carefully fitted out with good-quality equipment and utensils.

He could have chosen more economically for a rental house, but the right tools are important to him: the feel of a well made chopping knife in the hand, the use of a top-of-the-range 5-burner stove.

There is a welcome basket for guests that will typically include eggs from his freer-than-free-range hens, AOC olive oil made by his father, fresh herbs from the vegetable garden, some ancient tomato varieties produced in surrounding fields, and some rare pepper from around the world.

This is a gourmet's paradise.

Upstairs is the master bedroom with a 1.6m-wide bed (6'6" x 5'3"). This has a view over vineyards to the dramatic cliff at Lioux. There is also a writing desk and a closet.

There is a passage to the second bedroom, or reading room, with the bathroom. There is no door between the two bedrooms so it is really best suited to one couple, who may prefer two rooms. Or perhaps a couple with a child who do not mind the lack of privacy.

The second bedroom has a bed which is 1.2m wide and 2m long, which can also serve as a sofa with cushions.

The garden is flavoured by the plants and herbs of the region which you can cook with or add to herbal infusions. There is also a BBQ and an outside shower to cool down with.

The house is in a small hameau (hamlet) which is largely uninhabited and very quiet.

A hameau is a grouping of houses smaller than a village, and this one was originally built for the farmers who were dependent on the landlord in a nearby castle, now ruined.

Long ago the house would have been a magnanerie - where silkworms produced silk.

The Location

The closest village is Lioux. It is too small to have any shops or restaurants, but it is a lovely place to visit, as it is built right at the foot of the massive Sainte-Madeleine cliff.

This is 2km from the house. In the other direction Joucas is 4km away and is one of those villages not on the tourist trail that you are happy to discover. Winding cobbled streets, old stone houses, a cafe-restaurant and small grocery, but also some good restaurants in the countryside below.

Joucas faces Roussillon, which is very much on the tourist trail, and with good reason.

One village over from Joucas is Gordes, the biggest of the Luberon hill-top villages. Also nearby are Bonnieux, Menerbes and Lacoste, all members of the Most Beautiful Villages of France association, and all within 20 minutes.

To see close by...

There are hikes right from the door of the house exploring the surrounding countryside, or you can go by mountain bike. Village markets take place in a different village each day of the week.

The Luberon is the blessed plot of Provence characterised by vineyards, olive groves and fruit orchards, specked with perched villages, that held Peter mayle in its thrall when he wrote A Year in Provence here. It is also where Russell Crowe inherited a vineyard in the movie A Good Year. For more on the villages of the Luberon, markets and restaurants, see my site on the Luberon in Provence.

Included in the rental rates: utilities, bedlinen, towels, after-stay clean.

Rental periods run from Saturday 4pm to Saturday 11am.

To secure a booking you would send a 30% deposit, with the balance payable up to 8 weeks before your stay.

There is a refundable security deposit of 100 euros against any breakages or damage.

Insurance: when you book a rental home in France you must take out holiday insurance not only to cover yourself against loss or accidents but also to cover against accidental damage to the property.

Cancellation policy: if we can find another booking for your dates we will return any money sent (minus bank charges).

The house is for a maximum of 3 people. We regret that pets and smoking are not allowed in the house.