Maison Midori

High on most travellers’ list of countries to visit (and revisit) is France, especially the south. We are no different and have visited the area and stayed in rental homes there on several occasions, but this find in Menerbes was our best experience yet. Maison Midori is located at the top of the town and is an exquisitely renovated old house with stunning views of the countryside below. There are great views throughout the house from the various windows, but the best one for all to enjoy is from a spacious terrace. It is complete with dining and sitting areas, BBQ, garden, and the bonus of a plunge pool providing a great spot to immerse oneself to cool off from one’s travels with wine on the side, of course. Even though Menerbes is probably the best example of a hill top town in the area, the house is ideally located within easy striking distance of other ancient hill top towns, wineries and larger towns like Avignon and Aix-en-Provence. To tour these areas and come ‘home’ to Maison Midori was very comforting. The house is also beautifully located within the town itself providing walking access to several restaurants like Le Cinq and Cafe du Progres, morning bakery runs and shopping. The Maison de Truffle et du Vin (MTV) is a great store just around the corner where you can find a large variety of wines of the region that are sold at the same price as is offered at the wineries. For a larger shopping experience, Coustellet is only a short drive away. The tone of the furnishings and equipment is just right. The house is large enough to provide private seating areas throughout (library, living room, kitchen nook) if you want some quiet time. We spent our time touring by car, and one day did a bike ride from the house on an excellent trail designed for biking and walking. In the evening, we took advantage of the pétanque (boules) set and played the game to the best of our ability. As you travel through France, you will see how it is really supposed to be played! A fabulous week. Hope we can repeat it sometime.

This villa is located at the highest point in the village of Menerbes. This property is all about the views which were fabulous from every window. The terrace with its breathtaking view was the highlight. This past September (we were here Sept. 21-28) the weather was perfect so we were able to dine al fresco for both breakfast & dinner. After touring during the day, how wonderful it was to come back to this villa, enjoy hors d'oeurves, some local wine, and a savory meal outside and then watch the moon come up. One night we actually witnessed a halo around the moon, something we'd never actually seen before. The large house was superb with high-end finishes, comfortable beds, great showers, several relaxing sitting areas, two well-equipped kitchens, and laundry facilities.
Menerbes itself is charming. It's in a good location for touring the other medieval towns of the Luberon Valley or visiting some wineries. Nothing was of a great distance. Menerbes offered good restaurants, some grocery shopping, and a wonderful bakery where we picked up fresh croissants and baguettes every morning. A large grocery store & gas station was about a 15 minute drive away.
If you're looking for a beautiful, relaxing place to enjoy a holiday then this villa is for you!

There are many objectives for a vacation; including - to varying degrees - unwinding, exploring an area, and enjoying times with friends. In our case, after a prolonged period of intensive work our primary focus was to unwind. However, we've decided this beautiful home is ideal for all three purposes. The perfect early September weather meant spending much of our time outside on the gorgeous terrace. It is a fabulous area where you feel both secluded and on top of the world. Beautiful elevated views across the vineyards towards the surrounding hills, attractive landscaping and comfortable furniture make it an absolute delight to just chill, gaze, and soak it all in. Before arriving we were a little curious about the dipping pool, and concerned it would be too warm to be refreshing. In fact it’s a perfect temperature for cooling down and taking in the views; especially at the end of a long hot day. Inside, the house is exquisitely furnished including some great artwork, and really well-equipped. Nothing is wanting at all - and the bed is super-comfortable too! Everything you need to eat and drink well is close by. We loved the market shopping at nearby Coustellet; buying Cavaillon melons (purported to be the best!), tapenade, cheeses, olive oil, wonderful fruit & vegetables and trying a few wines. We also went to several local restaurants; including Ménerbes' own ‘Le 5’ - a real treat! Plus of course the nearby salon du thé ‘Chez Auzet’ complete with its sweet delicacies, where over your morning coffee and treat you can partake in some people watching: both tourists and locals! Like us, you'll inevitably need to do lots of walking to try and off-set some of the indulgences! We could very easily have spent all week just in Ménerbes; chilling out on the terrace with wineglass in hand and an occasional ‘sortie’ to explore the immediate environs - preferably on foot! However, Provence is a new domain for us, so we did venture out to explore the region. And there are such interesting choices in every direction. If you’re fond of the arts, there are numerous galleries to choose from. And a visit to the extraordinary ‘son et lumière’ at the Carrières Lumières nearby St Remy de Provence is a must. This season, Picasso is featured like you have never seen him before. Followed by a fabulous lunch at a St Remy restaurant (details in the house ‘guest book’). There is a range of local musical offerings as well: one magical evening in the chapel of the nearby Abbaye de St Hilaire we enjoyed a delightful concert featuring (amongst other items) the 3rd part of Handel’s Mass. And if wine-tasting is your personal vice - then as well as numerous local Provençale vineyards supported by limitless tasting options at Ménerbes ‘Maison de la Truffe et du Vin’ just 200m away - then less than an hour’s drive away you’re amongst southern Rhone treasures such as Chateauneuf du Pape, Beaumes de Venise, Gigondas… Other places to visit include the 2000 year old Pont du Gard near Avignon, the famous Calanques at Cassis, Gordes...the visit list is almost endless! During our stay we talked about how much fun it would be to return and share this home with friends. It is perfectly set up for two or three couples, with great convivial social spaces - but also secluded spots for a quiet retreat. In fact I'm drafting this review sitting in a comfy chair by an open French door, enjoying a gentle breeze and, yes - that view! What more can we say? The only downside of being here: our stay is near its end and tomorrow we must leave!