La Retraite Estivale
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Overview
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With mesmerising views of the incredible Alpilles mountains, La Retraite Estivale offers stylish accommodation in a superb setting in this alluring part of Provence.
Sleeping up to 14 guests, this villa is superb for an extended family holiday or a large group of friends. Spend time together in the light-filled lounge with its sofas, beautiful fireplace, books and chairs creating a relaxed and care-free setting. Cook up Provençal feasts in the smart modern kitchen with its many gadgets and appliances, then dine in the quirky dining area with doors opening straight out to the terrace. The seven bedrooms, spread out over the main villa and neighbouring annexe, feature air-conditioning and en suite shower or bathrooms as well as an air of characterful simplicity and style.
Staring out at the hilly landscapes around you, spend lazy days in the vast gardens and open grounds. Challenge your loved ones to a game of pétanque, find a quiet spot to soak up the sun or dip into the beautiful 16m long heated swimming pool. Warm summer evenings can be spent under the swaying pine trees, enjoying chilled wine from local vineyards as you sit out with family and friends. In the very heart of Les Alpilles, the views are wonderful as you feel truly immersed in the nature around you.
Just 5km away is a typically Provençal village with excellent restaurants, gourmet shops and old mills producing some of France’s finest olive groves. Explore a little further afield and discover idyllic villages such as Les Baux-de-Provence and Eygalières or head to the artistic town of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence with its particularly charming Wednesday morning market.
You’re also ideally situated to explore some of Provence’s archetypal villages of the Luberon or spend time exploring the magnificent cities of Avignon, Aix-en-Provence and Nîmes. Another town loved so much by Van Gogh, Arles is also close by, also a gateway to the alluring scenery of the Camargue.
Hike through fields of rosemary and thyme, cycle past summer sunflowers or take in the area’s natural beauty on horse-back. Visit vineyards, sample olive oil and dine in Michelin starred restaurants. However you spend your time, this enchanting region is sure to charm you in so many ways.
What you should know…
- 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
- The main villa has three bedrooms whilst a separate annexe features four more bedrooms – please see the Features for further details on the layout
- Air-conditioning is featured in the bedrooms only
- The beautiful grounds are open and partially terraced with steps. There are glorious views of the landscapes around you
Property Features
Main Villa Interiors
Ground Floor
- Living room with fireplace
- Dining area
- Kitchen, well-equipped including two dishwashers, American fridge-freezer with ice-maker, two ovens, microwave, Nespresso machine, ground coffee machine, toaster, kettle, mixer, juicer and liquidiser
- Back kitchen with extra fridge and laundry room
- Bedroom One with twin beds, pushed together (90cm each) and en suite shower room with WC
- Separate WC
First Floor
- Bedroom Two with twin beds, pushed together (90cm each) and en suite shower room with WC
- Bedroom Three with twin beds, pushed together (90cm each) and en suite bathroom with bath, shower and WC
- Separate WC
Separate Annexe Interiors
Ground Floor
- Bedroom Four with double bed (160cm) and doors leading to terrace. Shower room with WC
- Bedroom Five with double bed (140cm) and an additional single bed (90cm, suitable for a child) and doors leading to terrace. Shower room with WC
First Floor
- Bedroom Six with twin beds, pushed together (90cm each) and en suite shower room with WC
- Bedroom Seven with twin beds, pushed together (90cm each) and en suite shower room with WC
- Separate WC
Outside Grounds
- Heated swimming pool (16m x 6m, depth: 1.6m) with electric safety shutter
- Sun loungers (x6) and parasols (x2)
- Terrace with table for up to 20 guests
- Gas plancha
- Al-fresco lounge area
- Various tables and other garden furnishings
- Pétanque
- Vast grounds (20,000m2, unenclosed, terraced in parts) with Alpilles views
- Private parking
Facilities
- Wi-Fi
- Air-conditioning (bedrooms only)
- TV
- DVD player
- Record player
- Sonos sound system (throughout house and pool area)
- Pétanque
- Hairdryers
- Washing machine and dryer
Location
About the surrounding area of La Retraite EstivaleIn the very heart of Les Alpilles Natural Regional Park, La Retraite Estivale is perfectly positioned to explore the outstanding landscapes, delightful villages and historic towns of this glorious part of Provence.
Just 5km away by car you will find a typically Provençal village with a handful of excellent places to eat (ranging from cafes and bistros to high-end restaurants), pretty shops and three of the original mills producing some of the highest quality olive oil in France. The main square with its fountains and historic buildings is a particular delight; it’s an incredibly pleasant place to spend some time wandering around, discovering its gourmet delights and soaking up the charming ambience.
Les Alpilles Natural Regional Park offers wonderful walking through breathtaking scenery, many cycling trails as well as horse-riding or pony-trekking opportunities. You will also be able to take part in rock-climbing and there is a magnificent golf course at Domaine de Manville, only 7km away. A little further afield, head out on a family adventure along the Sorgue river, hiring canoes or kayaks in Fontaine-de-Vaucluse combined with a visit to the antique shops and amazing Sunday morning market in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (37km).
Other idyllic villages to visit nearby include one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’, Les Baux-de-Provence (10km), the home to a couple of A-list celebrities, Eygalières (12km) and the charming town of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence (15km) with its Wednesday morning market and strong historical links to Vincent Van Gogh.
The incredible landscapes of the Luberon region are also within easy reach with the archetypal villages of Ménerbes, Bonnieux and Lacoste each around an hour away. A little closer to home, the town of Cavaillon (25km) comes alive in mid-July with it’s Feria du Melon and has many fascinating historic buildings to discover.
Other wonderful towns and cities that can be reached for a remarkable day out include Avignon (35km) with its UNESCO World Heritage sites, Nîmes (50km) with its amazing Roman architecture, beautiful Aix-en-Provence (65km), the birthplace of Paul Cézanne and historic Arles (26km), also the gateway to the mesmerising Camargue.
| Local Amenities | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nearest Airport |
Avignon
(32km) |
||
| Nearest Airport 2 |
Nîmes
(50km) |
||
| Nearest Airport 3 |
Marseille
(65km) |
||
| Nearest Train Station |
Arles/Gare d'Avignon
(26km/38km) |
||
| Nearest Village |
(5km) |
||
| Nearest Restaurant |
(5km) |
||
| Nearest Supermarket |
Small supermarket
(5km) |
||
| Nearest Town/City |
Saint-Rémy/Arles
(15km/26km) |
||
| Nearest Golf |
Domaine de Manville
(9km) |
||
Region
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!
Kids
Best Suited For: All AgesLes Alpilles Natural Regional Park is a wonderful area for families who love the outdoors whether it’s exploring local markets selling all sorts of delights or taking part in various leisure activities.
There are many walking trails suitable for all ages and cycling/mountain biking in this region is also a popular pursuit. Horse-back riding and pony trekking are other wonderful ways to discover the incredible landscapes around you whilst the most adventurous can have a go at rock-climbing in Les Alpilles.
Just a little further away, there are picturesque places to canoe on the river Sorgue near Fontaine-de-Vaucluse or head to the UNESCO World Heritage site, Le Pont du Gard, near Nîmes and hire canoes along the Gard river in this incredible spot.
During your stay try to catch one of the magnificent sound and light-shows displayed in the darkness of the caves near Les Baux-de-Provence (Carrieres des Lumieres).
There’s also the Van Gogh trails to follow in Arles and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, including the opportunity to visit Van Gogh’s bedroom at Saint Paul de Mausole. St-Rémy is also home to the incredible archaeological site of Glanum.
Look out for all sorts of adventurous activities in the Camargue, around an hour away, with safari jeep tours, quad biking, horse-riding and more.
Kids Activities Close-by
- <1hr to Airport
- Tennis Nearby
- Cycling
- Horse Riding
- Outdoor Pursuit & Activities
- Tourist Towns & Villages
- Historical Sites
Onsite Facilities
- Boules/Petanque
- Child-Safe Pool
- Heated Pool
- DVD
Services Available
- Chef/Cook Available
- Babysitting Available
- Meal delivery service
Oliver's Extras
- Cooking Classes Available
- Wine-Tasting Available
- Chef/Cook Available
- Babysitting Available
- Butler Available
- Meal delivery service
- Car/Boat/Plane Rental Available
- Well-being Coach Available
At Oliver’s Travels we pride ourselves on going that little bit further for our guests. From pr...
Read moreExtras
Oliver's Extras
- Cooking Classes Available
- Wine-Tasting Available
- Chef/Cook Available
- Babysitting Available
- Butler Available
- Meal delivery service
- Car/Boat/Plane Rental Available
- Well-being Coach Available
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
- Babysitting / childcare services
- Bike hire
Extras included at this property:
- Maid service 9 hours/week (see individual info)
Extras available at this property (payable locally):
- 24h Concierge
- Private chef
- Airport/train station pick-up/drop-off
- Chauffeur/private car rental
- Bike rental
- Boat rental
- Private plane rental
- Shopping service
- Babysitting
- Butler
- Well-being coach
- Cooking classes
- Wine-tasting
- Booking of local activities (restaurants, festivals, concerts, exhibitions etc.)
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 | €5000 charged to client’s credit card before arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection. |
| Arrival time | 5.00 p.m. Late arrivals after 9.00 p.m. may be charged a late arrival fee of €120. |
| Departure time | 10.00 a.m. |
Terms & Conditions
These terms and conditions may be amended from time to time.
| Security deposit | €5000 charged to client’s credit card before arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection. |
| Arrival time | 5.00 p.m. Late arrivals after 9.00 p.m. may be charged a late arrival fee of €120. |
| Departure time | 10.00 a.m. |
| 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. |
| Linen & towels included? | Yes. |
| Pool towels included? | Yes. |
| Energy costs included? | Yes. |
| Heating costs included? | Yes. |
| Minimum stay | 7 nights. 14 nights - July and August. |
| Changeover day | Saturday. |
| 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, public 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. |
| 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. |
| Other Ts and Cs | Air-conditioning is featured in the bedrooms only. |
| Other Ts and Cs | Weddings, stag/hen parties and other celebrations are not permitted. |
Please click here to view the full property Terms and Conditions
Rental Rates
Prices based on an occupancy of 14 people:
| Rental period | Weekly |
|---|---|
| Dec 10th 2023 - Jan 6th 2024 | £11,141 |
| Jan 6th 2024 - Jun 1st 2024 | £13,212 |
| Jun 1st 2024 - Jun 29th 2024 | £15,414 |
| Jun 29th 2024 - Aug 31st 2024 | £19,083 |
| Aug 31st 2024 - Sep 28th 2024 | £15,414 |
| Sep 28th 2024 - Jan 4th 2025 | £13,212 |
| Jan 4th 2025 - May 31st 2025 | £13,192 |
| May 31st 2025 - Jun 12th 2025 | £15,391 |
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.
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