La Maison Secrete

La Maison Secrète is set down a little side street in the centre of Fontvieille village. This charming village is surrounded by vast amounts of parkland and walking trails within the Regional Natural Park of the Alpilles and there are many more villages and towns nearby too, making this a fantastic base for exploring Provence.

Fontvieille is uniquely set in a former limestone quarry and all of the buildings you see as you wander around have been constructed with this local stone. The village has been here for over four centuries and is packed with historic sights and buildings. The village featured in the famous 1860s book “From my windmill” by treasured French author Alphonse Daudet. If you are a fan of Alphonse Daudet or would like to learn more about him you can visit a museum based on him, visit Ribert Mill which inspired him and follow the hour-long Path of the Windmills walk. Visitors can also see Daudet’s summer home, Chateau de Montauban, which is an attraction in its own right. This palatial home hails from the 17th century and has beautiful interiors as well as a local history museum inside. The village also has a great selection of shops, cafés and restaurants which are walking distance from the house. You can also visit the brilliant market to pick up some fresh bread and local honey. The market is held every Monday and Friday in the village square.

Also close to the house is the tranquil mountainous nature reserve the Regional Natural Park of the Alpilles. This is a must visit place for lovers of nature and outdoor pursuits. Without travelling far from the villa, you can hike through dense woodlands and climb limestone bouldering routes. This mountain range also has some smaller peaks for those who wish to try their hand at climbing. You could easily spend a full day exploring the open spaces, even traversing the landscape by horseback with a nearby equine centre for a memorable day out.

Art lovers should Saint-Remy de Provence to their itineraries which is 18km away from the villa. This picturesque town has attracted artists for hundreds of years who would flock here to paint the surrounding landscapes and parts of the town. Vincent Van Gogh was one such artist and lived in the town for a year during a difficult period in his life, seeking solace and accommodation at the monastery of Saint-Paul-de-Mausole where he lived in a bare cell and created hundreds of art works. Those interested in Van Gogh can visit the monastery and take tours of inspiring settings around the village. There are other tours available here too, such as historic walking tours, food and wine tours and trips to nearby farms and vineyards with knowledgeable guides. Saint-Remy de Provence is a lovely place to stroll around, soaking in the Provencal culture while looking at the Renaissance buildings and the incredible Roman ruins. Make sure to head to the old town to shop for fresh herbs at the little shops and pick up some fresh breads and lavender at the lively market.