Maison Papillon

In the verdant countryside, surrounded by forests and vineyards and yet only 6km away from the nearest village, Maison Papillon is a beautiful home for your trip to Provence.   

The villa is a historic house within the grounds of a vast wine estate which offers comfortable accommodation within a stunning setting. There is plenty of space here for a holiday with a group of friends or a large family as the house is spread over four floors which can be reached with a lift or by stairs.   

The main living spaces are found on the ground floor; everyone can gather in the expansive living and dining room with a feature fireplace and cosy sofas for colder evenings. If anybody in your group is musical, they can play a few songs on the piano after dinner. If you would rather settle down to watch a film or read a good book in peace, then sneak off to the lounge and library room.   

The eight bedrooms are all well-decorated and offer en-suite bathrooms. The lower ground floor has a fantastic room with bunk beds that can sleep up to six children, which they will love! There are two bedrooms on the ground and first floors and three bedrooms on the second floor, including the master suite, which has the addition of a dressing room and a welcoming bathtub.   

The home also has a wonderful gym with all the fitness equipment you could need and a Turkish bath. Next to this, on the lower ground floor, you will find a games room where the children can have fun over a game of table football.   

The garden here is one of the best features, so you are sure to spend lots of time outside. In the garden, you can take a dip in the private pool or relax on the outdoor sofas with incredible views over the vineyards and fields. There are plenty of peaceful seating areas, a summer kitchen, and dining tables to come together over special al-fresco meals.  

As you will be situated on this beautiful wine estate, you do not have to travel far to spend time outdoors and participate in several activities. Wine lovers can visit the cellars and take part in tastings, while nature lovers can go on hikes or explore the landscape by bicycle or on horseback. There are also unique activities, such as a night-time safari and a butterfly garden. There is so much to do on the grounds around the house that you can spend your entire trip here if you like.  

When you wish to go out for a meal or do some shopping, the closest village La Celle is a mere 6km drive away. This is a small yet pretty village with historic streets, a medieval Abbey and a river flowing through it which is a lovely spot for a picnic.   

If you would like a wider selection of shops and restaurants, then Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume is a town 14km away from the villa. Visitors flock here because it is the apparent final home and burial place of Mary Magdalene, who arrived by boat after the crucifixion of Jesus. Pilgrims have been coming here since the 13th century when her tomb was found. As well as the tomb, there is also an impressive Gothic 13th-century basilica and the Dominican convent to see. After seeing the historic sights, you can wander the atmospheric Jewish Quarter through to the more modern area, which has a number of shops and cafes.  

From this great location, you are also well placed for days out to the coast or to other towns and cities such as Brignoles (8km away) and Aix-en-Provence (53km away), or you can take a boat to the unspoilt Golden Islands (54km away).