La Vieille Cour
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Overview
A quite spectacular house blessed with coruscating Luberon panoramas, La Vieille Cour mixes customary Provençal relaxation with polished, modern design.
Superbly configured, with chic, contemporary décor blended with nods to the traditional throughout, this truly special property is ideally situated for those seeking the quintessential holiday in Provence, with more than a touch of high-end living. Nestled in the petite village of Maubec, itself a charming fusion of the traditional and contemporary, you will be ideally located for adventures around the Luberon region and beyond.
As you enter the main living space, you are immediately captivated by the stunning high ceilings with exposed timber beams, arched windows and renaissance-style portes-fenêtre set into the thick stone walls. The beautiful, oversized sofa delivers tranquilising levels of comfort, while an ornate desk and chair sit adjacent to a curved, tiled staircase that leads to the five bedrooms and bathroom facilities upstairs.
A virtuoso blend of traditional and high contemporary design features typifies this grand property, with its terrific, well-equipped kitchen being no exception. Its superbly crafted cabinets and island centrepiece, large fridge/freezer and excellent range cooker with extractor hood make for the perfect gastronomic playground. A solid wood dining table completes this open-plan, airy space, with easy access from the kitchen door to the outdoor dining area. Outdoor cooking at the barbecue area offers another terrific option for the visiting gourmet.
On the first floor, the master bedroom features a double bed, a balcony with fabulous Luberon views, as well as an en-suite shower room. There are four additional double bedrooms, three with the benefit of air-conditioning. These stunning rooms are served by an additional shower room and bathroom, both with separate WC.
In keeping with its sophisticated interior, this house’s remarkable south-facing terrace and gardens are an undeniable masterclass in Provençal landscaping. Ornate steps lead through a discreet and fragrant garden, replete with immaculately kept cypress trees and an illuminated boules court with a reclaimed water fountain at its edge. A central courtyard with sun loungers surrounds the private saltwater pool, which is a joy on a hot summer's day.
All of this is framed by a breathtaking hillside panorama that feels almost close enough to reach out and touch. Your evening can conclude as your morning began, as you refresh under the outdoor shower, before heading down the gentle steps into the terrace’s illuminated pool. Outdoor dining and relaxation are hallmarks of any break in Provence, yet very few are enjoyed in such salubrious and delightfully curated surroundings.
From this convenient base, you can walk (along country roads) into Maubec for all essential amenities, as well as the chance to explore the historic side of this delightful village, with its ochre stone buildings, bell-tower and castle.
Just twenty minutes away by car are the stunning villages of Gordes and Roussillon, with seemingly endless choices of restaurants, independent shops, art galleries and markets offering all kinds of superb, locally-produced delights. You will be close to major roads if day trips to Avignon, with its centuries of history, or the golden sands of Marseille appeal.
At La Vieille Cour, you’ll also be ideally placed to explore this extraordinary region on foot or bike. Take the slow way round the Luberon hills and drink in the glorious views, before returning to your terrace and pool for a well-deserved rest.
What you should know…
- The superb illuminated pool has a submerged alarm but isn’t fenced, so any smaller children should always be supervised when they are outdoors.
- Larger parties needn’t worry about parking space – you’ll have space for four cars, all within the grounds of the house and behind an electric gate.
- It's just over 500m to the local village; if you are walking, bear in mind that the surrounding lanes and roads tend to be unlit and without pavements.
- Of the five stunning bedrooms, three benefit from air-conditioning.
- Please note that a maximum of 8 guests will have access to the 5 bedrooms.
- Please note that published rates are only valid for the current year. Any bookings for subsequent years will be on request only and correct rates will be confirmed at the time of booking.
- Please note that your booking will only be confirmed once we have checked availability with the owner or their property manager.
Property Features
Interior
Ground floor
- Spacious living area with large sofa, television, writing desk and chair
- Second living area
- Kitchen/dining room with oven, large fridge/freezer, dishwasher, microwave, toaster, Nespresso coffee machine, dining table
- Laundry room
- Guest WC
First floor
- Master bedroom with double bed (160cm), mobile air-conditioning, balcony, en-suite shower room with sink and WC
- 2 x bedrooms with double beds (160cm), mobile air-conditioning
- Bedroom with double bed (160cm)
- Bedroom with double bed (140cm)
- Bathroom with bath, shower, WC
- Bathroom with WC
Outside Grounds
- Saltwater swimming pool (6m x 7m) with steps and submerged alarm
- Terrace with sun loungers and cantilever parasol
- Dining area
- Deckchairs
- Double day bed
- Illuminated boules court
- Barbecue area with plancha
- Perimeter fence/hedge with automatic gate
- Garden with topiary and trees
- Parking for 4 x vehicles
Facilities
- Fibre optic Wi-Fi
- Air-conditioning
- Heating
- Hairdryer
- Iron
Location
About the surrounding area of La Vieille CourKnown as the ‘Luberon in Miniature’, Maubec is a delightful alternative to larger (and hillier) Luberon villages like Gordes and Bonnieux. Once visitors to the region start to feel the effects of their steep, winding streets, a wander around Maubec can be a welcome, gentle relief in comparison! No less pretty than its bigger neighbours, Maubec offers a delightful taste of traditional Provençal country life, along with all the amenities you’ll need for your sojourn at the foot of the Luberon. The newer side of Maubec features a bakery, butcher and mini-market, along with two terrific little restaurants and a café.
Gordes is less than a 20-minute car journey away, and is one of the most picturesque villages in all of France. With its exceptional restaurants, boutiques and artisanal markets, Gordes’ winding cobbled streets lead you all the way to the famous castle at the village summit, with spectacular views at every turn. We recommend taking a fully charged camera battery, your best walking shoes and a hearty appetite!
There are many hidden gems close by to La Vieille Cour, ideal for relaxed days out. Museums charting the proud agrarian heritage of the region, such as the open-air Mines de Bruoux in Gargas and Ochre mines in Rousillon (both are only half an hour away), offer guided tours with options for wine tasting as part of the experience – it is Provence, after all!
The Luberon’s olive oil and lavender museums are also just ten-minute drives away, with tours and hands-on workshops to get involved in, as well as fabulous boutiques to tempt you with some phenomenal local produce.
More physical activities are equally easy to come by during your stay, of course. Many delighted visitors say ‘encore Provence’ each year, returning for invigorating hikes and bike rides through the glorious hills and villages of the Vaucluse département. You can even hire bikes and E-Bikes, with many local rental companies offering free delivery and collection to your door.
There’s even more to get the blood pumping at Colorado Aventures, which is a forty-minute drive away from La Vieille Cour. Strap into a human catapult, take hide and seek to the next level with a game of laser tag in the woods, while those with a head for heights can attempt the treetop accrobranche course!
Region
With some of the most enchanting landscapes of Provence, the Luberon awaits with its idyllic perched villages, swathes of lavender, cherry trees, vineyards and dense forest.
Become captivated by the scenery as you potter around artistic Gordes with its atmospheric Tuesday morning market before heading to hilltop Ménerbes, the village that inspired Peter Mayle’s ‘A Year in Provence’. Romantic Bonnieux enjoys the most glorious vistas, surrounded by a sea of vines and orchards, whilst red-hued Roussillon will take your breath away with its ochre landscapes and pine forests. They are all officially classified as ‘Plus Beaux Villages’ in France.
Yet there are so many hidden gems to explore as well. Discover the historic doorways, windmills and summer cherries of Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt, then head to Goult to embrace its Provençal charm with little shops and pavement cafes. Surrounded by fields of lavender, Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt is another historic jewel of the Luberon, often overshadowed by the handsome and historic town of Apt.
To the south of the Luberon, follow Albert Camus’ footsteps in Lourmarin, sip coffee by the picturesque bassin lined with plane trees in Cucuron and soak up the history of Ansouis – all three villages have a fine reputation for their high-end dining with a choice of Michelin starred restaurants.
Indeed, across the region look out for restaurant terraces serving Provençal cuisine with superb vistas alongside characterful markets showcasing seasonal delights from the Luberon and beyond (olives, melons, strawberries, cherries, truffles, chestnuts, lavender products and more). Most villages host a lovely weekly market whilst the largest in the Luberon is held on a Saturday morning in Apt. Just on the edge of the Luberon, L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is famed for its antique stores and Sunday morning brocante. Meanwhile, wine lovers should visit the vineyards and wineries of the region producing Luberon and Ventoux AOC wines.
The walking, hiking and cycling opportunities in the Luberon seem endless and you will also find horse-riding, rock-climbing and tree-top adventures as well as canoeing and kayaking along the Sorgue near Fontaine-de-Vaucluse. Come across hiking trails for all abilities passing vineyards and forest or venture through the hills and mountain gorges for spectacular scenery. Cycling is also extremely popular – as well as more challenging routes, we especially love the family-friendly Véloroute du Calavon, a paved voie verte following a former railway line near the Calavon river passing poppies, lavender and orchards so typical of the Luberon.
Kids
Best Suited For: All AgesThe surrounding area is ideal for families and if you want to stretch your legs and head into Maubec village, there is a football pitch and tennis court, should you fancy getting competitive with one another!
There are plenty of other options for family days out close by. Tuesday in Gordes is market day, with its plethora of delicious treats available – we recommend heading a little further north to Murs in the afternoon, where you’ll easily find a picturesque picnic spot. The local Musée de la Lavande offers fun workshops during the summer months, centred around this fragrant and versatile Provence export. If you fancy a day at the coast, you’ll be ideally located at La Vieille Cour, with the sea air of the Côte d'Azur just an hour’s drive away in Marseille.
You’ll only be an hour’s drive from any one of the superb beaches in Marseille, France’s second city. Plage du Prophète is a long-standing favourite for locals learning to swim, as well as visiting families. With a lifeguard on daily duty during the summer, as well as the light incline into the sea, this delightful sandy beach is ideal for a family day out on the French Riviera.
Kids Activities Close-by
- <1hr to Airport
- Canoeing/Kayaking
- Tennis Nearby
- Cycling
- Horse Riding
- Fishing
- Outdoor Pursuit & Activities
- Tourist Towns & Villages
- Historical Sites
Onsite Facilities
- Child-Safe Pool
- Outdoor Games
Extras
At Oliver’s Travels we pride ourselves on going that little bit further for our guests. From private chefs to babysitters we can help you arrange those little extras that make it a truly memorable holiday. Simply fill in the concierge request form or contact the Oliver’s Concierge Team who will be happy to help. We can typically help you arrange any of the following:
- Maid service/extra cleaning
- Private chef/cook/catering
- Welcome hamper/pre-stocked fridge
- Local day-trips or tours
- Airport pick-up/drop-off
Please note that all extras are subject to availability and must be requested in advance of the holiday (prices on request). Due to some rural/remote locations, not all services will be available at all properties. However, we will always do our best to fulfil your requests!
Oliver's Travels Chef Service: A Gourmet Dining Experience
Make hosting a memorable dinner party at your villa an absolute breeze with our superb Chef Service. Our chefs will take care of everything for you from start to finish so you can just sit back and enjoy the gastronomic experience. They will bring all the necessary ingredients, cook and serve the food and even clean up afterwards. To find out more visit www.oliverstravels.com/chefs
| Security deposit | €1438 paid via bank transfer to the owner one month before arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection. |
| Arrival time | 4.00 p.m. |
| Departure time | 10.00 a.m. |
Terms & Conditions
These terms and conditions may be amended from time to time.
| Security deposit | €1438 paid via bank transfer to the owner one month before arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection. |
| Arrival time | 4.00 p.m. |
| Departure time | 10.00 a.m. |
| Minimum stay | 7 nights. All other durations on request. |
| Changeover day | Saturday. All other changeover days on request. |
| End of stay cleaning included? | Yes. However, guests are required to leave the accommodation clean, tidy and in the same condition as on their arrival. Any extra cleaning, laundry, maintenance and/or rubbish disposal required will be charged against the security deposit. |
| Heating costs included? | Yes. |
| Energy costs included? | Yes. |
| Linen & towels included? | Yes. |
| Pool towels included? | Yes. |
| Pool opening dates? | Please note that pool opening dates are subject to local weather conditions and pool maintenance requirements and that cooler months may not be suitable for swimming. |
| Pets welcome? | On request only and with prior agreement with the owner. |
| Smoking Allowed? | No. |
| Insurance | Guests are required to be in possession of a valid insurance policy, which covers them for civil liability as well as cancellations, personal belongings, personal liability and any accidental damage caused during their stay. A copy of this policy must be provided to the owner minimum one month before arrival. |
| Tax | French Visitors Tax payable locally (typically costs €3-€10 per adult per night - please enquire if exact amount is required). |
| Other Ts and Cs | Weddings, stag/hen parties and any special events are not allowed. |
| Other Ts and Cs | Air-conditioning is featured in three bedrooms only. |
| Other Ts and Cs | Please note that published rates are only valid for the current year. Any bookings for subsequent years will be on request only and correct rates will be confirmed at the time of booking. |
| Other Ts and Cs | Please note that your booking will only be confirmed once we have checked availability with the owner or their property manager. |
| Other Ts and Cs | Please note that a maximum of 8 guests will have access to the 5 bedrooms. |
Rental Rates
Prices based on an occupancy of 10 people:
| Rental period | Weekly |
|---|---|
| Nov 27th 2024 - Jul 1st 2025 | £7,091 |
| Jul 1st 2025 - May 31st 2026 | £7,091 |
Please note that these prices/rates are a guide only and may not be correct at the current date. For an accurate quote, please enquire.
Don't miss out! Reserve now and get a full refund if you change your mind within 48hrs.
