Only 13km south of Avignon, Maison Meryl is an ideal base for exploring Provence with Saint-Rémy-de-Provence (8.5km) and the idyllic landscapes of Les Alpilles also within easy reach.
The house and its vast garden is located just off a small lane leading to the main road connecting charming Eyragues (2km) and the Provençal town of Châteaurenard (3.5km). Eyragues is a traditional village with a good selection of restaurants and café-bars as well as useful shops including a small supermarket and bakery. Join locals as the lovely market takes place in the village square on a Friday morning and look out for village festivities throughout the year.
In the other direction is Châteaurenard (3.5km), an authentic small town with a Sunday morning market – local specialities here include liquer de Frigolet whilst the area is also known for its fruit and vegetable farming. As well as soaking up the town’s historic charm, it is an attractive place for a morning coffee on one of the terrace cafes beneath the plane trees. Walk up to the top of the village to see the remains of the castle and admire the views around you.
Learn all about the life of Van Gogh in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence (8.5km) and soak up the joyful ambience of its huge Wednesday morning market before visiting the town’s art galleries, shops and restaurants. Saint-Rémy is the gateway to Les Alpilles, a beautiful region of Provence with olive trees, woodland and limestone peaks, wonderful for hiking and cycling enthusiasts. Picture-perfect villages include Eygalières (19km), Maussane-les-Alpilles (19km) and Les Baux-de-Provence (17km).
Spend time discovering the small city of Avignon (13km) and its UNESCO World Heritage sites, Le Pont d’Avignon and Palais des Papes. Visit the bustling markets, wine-bars and gastronomic restaurants or for a complete change of scene why not hire bikes in the city and cycle over to île de la Barthelasse, France’s largest river island in the Rhône.
Meanwhile, other highlights in this part of Provence include enchanting L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (26km) with its canals and antique stores, Fontaine-de-Vaucluse (32km), a paradise for canoeing enthusiasts and keen hikers, and the vineyards of the Rhône valley around Châteauneuf-du-Pape (28km).
A little further afield, explore the captivating landscapes of the Luberon (Gordes is 37km away, for example) or venture to the foothills of Mont Ventoux for more pretty villages and incredible scenery around Mazan and Bédoin.