Maison Armantine

This lovely stone home is located just 5km away from the closest village and is surrounded by lush farmland and expansive natural parkland. Whether you are heading to Provence for an active break, hiking and cycling the countless hillside trails, or you would rather enjoy a spot of shopping followed by a lazy lunch, there is something for everyone in this beautiful, diverse part of France.   

Eygalières is where you will find the nearest amenities, and it is just 5km away from the villa. This lovely village is steeped in history and has been inhabited since the Bronze age. Though the oldest parts of the village are now in ruins, you will still see the bell tower hailing from the 1600s, pretty churches and old bathhouses. The village is small and built around one main street, but you will find a great selection of restaurants here, plus shops, cafés, and bakeries to pick up fresh pastries in the morning. If you visit in August, join in with the Fête de la St Laurent's festivities, the local saint's annual festival. Tables fill the streets, and the residents enjoy communal meals, live music, horse shows and fairground rides. Eygalières is also a hub for cyclists who can enjoy pleasant trails around the village and out into the countryside.   

This region has scenic parks, forests and even a mountain range. To experience these, you can visit the Regional Park of the Alpilles, which has recently become a protected area to preserve wildlife and the natural landscape. The park is perfect for bike rides, leisurely walks and hiking the limestone mountains. There are over 250 species of bird found here for you to spot, so bring your binoculars. There are also vast olive growing areas within the park that produce fantastic olive oil you can sample locally.   

As well as stunning natural spaces, Provence has an array of villages and towns you can explore. Saint-Étienne-du-Grès is 17km away and is a more modern village at around 100 years old. The village is an excellent place to do some shopping in the artisan shops and the thriving market, and the pretty, flower-filled streets are a wonderful setting for a meal. On the outskirts of the village, you will find rural homes, farms and vineyards. One place to visit is the stunning Domaine Dalmeran, a country chateau with landscaped gardens producing delicious local wine. Visit the chateau for a tour of the cellars and to taste the wines yourself; the owners often hold events on the grounds too. 

Art lovers should make a trip to Les Baux-de-Provence, which is 17km away and is home to the Carrières de Lumières. This is a unique art exhibition held in a disused limestone quarry. Rather than being hung in frames, the artworks of celebrated artists such as Van Gogh and Monet are projected onto the rugged walls offering an immersive experience. Afterwards, you can walk up the hill to the heart of the village, where you can purchase handicrafts and locally produced artworks in quaint shops. This village is known as one of France's most beautiful, and with restored historic buildings and staggering views of the surrounding landscape, it is easy to see why. Visit the castle's ruins to learn more about the revolt in 1632, which led to the village being abandoned for centuries; today, visitors can still see the dungeons, catapults and towers. There are dozens of historical sites in this little village, so there is plenty to see and do and a fabulous range of family-owned eateries to visit for a delicious meal after all the walking.   

If you would like to spend the day in a busy city, then visit Avignon, which is 32km away. Avignon has a wide range of museums, galleries, shops and restaurants but is best known as the papacy's former home. In Avignon, you can explore 25 rooms of the world’s largest gothic palace where the popes once lived.

Read more about Provence-Alpes

The Provençal way of life is one that’s deeply tempting for anyone who’s been feeling the need to get away from it all. This is a place where the Mediterranean weather turns fields of corn and lavender into picture-perfect backdrops, where you can sip your locally bought wine and enjoy the landscapes before heading out and tackling them head-on with a range of great activities for families, groups of friends and adventurous foodies. Better yet, our range of villas in Provence and chateaux and holiday homes in the Côte d’Azur make the perfect base to explore this enchanting region!

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