Just 30 minutes from Avignon sits Villa Eclair, a beautifully restored 17th-century coaching inn in the heart of Provence. Surrounded by scenic countryside with enchanting hilltop villages nearby, this calm country home is in the perfect position for discovering this stunning region.
Oozing charm and personality, this is a quintessential Provençal house. Original features such as wooden beams, huge stone fireplaces and exposed brick walls combine with local materials and pastel hues to create a rustic and cosy feel throughout, especially in the large kitchen and two living rooms. With doors opening onto the garden allowing lavender-scented air to drift in, these rooms are ideal for keeping cool during the day or congregating in the evenings.
Five delightful bedrooms all featuring en-suite bathrooms and south-facing views can comfortably accommodate 10 guests. One of these rooms includes the original blacksmith’s chimney from the house’s former life as a coaching inn, as well as a small single bed while a corner bedroom also features a day bed. Both these beds are suitable for a child and available on request for a supplement.
Outside, there are nearly four acres of lawned gardens dotted with rosemary and lavender and apricot, cherry, fig, apple and plum trees. Spend sunny days relaxing in a deckchair or cooling off in the covered outdoor living area. A ping-pong table is sure to provide plenty of entertainment while the 17m swimming pool is large enough to swim laps or simply take a refreshing dip.
The small town of Le Thor is just a 10-minute drive from the villa. Here you can find a handful of restaurants and cafés as well as supermarkets, boulangeries and a stunning medieval chateau. There are some really scenic walks departing from Le Thor, including a trail up Thouzon Hill.
Built on a network of canals, L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is a beautiful town that can be reached in just 20 minutes. Renowned for its antiques market, its flower-filled streets are also lined with with waterside cafés, restaurants and boutiques.
Other towns nearby include Velleron, with its 17th-century castle, and Carpentras which boasts a lively street market. Brimming with medieval relics, both towns can be reached in under 20 minutes.
Just 20km away sits the UNESCO World Heritage City of Avignon. It’s a fascinating and exciting place to stroll around and the Pope’s Palace and Saint Benezet Bridge in particular are worth a visit.
