Tucked into its own lovely garden and set in the heart of pretty Maillane, Villa Mistral is a superbly modernised four-bedroom home in a fantastic location. A stay here puts you just a few minutes’ stroll from cafés, restaurants, bakeries and handy local shops, giving you everything you need for a blissfully relaxing week in a classic Provençal village.

The transformation from village house to high-quality holiday home is impressive, preserving plenty of character and charm whilst building in a host of contemporary extras including a gym/yoga room, a TV lounge and a small office. Creamy, dreamy colours create a serene atmosphere all through the house, off-set by contemporary artworks. Doors open from the main living space onto a large courtyard garden, beautifully planted with trees and bushes to create a delightful green oasis for sunbathing around the pool or dining on the wisteria-draped terrace. We especially love the shaded outdoor lounge, perfect for an afternoon snooze or a late-night game of cards after a delicious dinner in Maillane.

Maillane village is typical of the region, gloriously photogenic with narrow lanes, ancient wooden doorways and colourful window boxes. You could happily spend a week here just pottering around the village, trying out the various restaurants and perhaps taking a walk or a bike ride along the paths that weave their way through the surrounding countryside. For some local sight-seeing, we recommend nearby Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, with its biscuit-coloured buildings, tree-lined squares and chic little boutiques, plus Roman ruins and a bustling Wednesday market perfect for picnic shopping or just soaking up the delightfully unhurried atmosphere.

The local area

Maillane has all the basics you need in terms of groceries and eating out, and for everything else, there’s Saint-Rémy just 7km away. Saint-Rémy is also the gateway to the majestic landscapes of the Alpilles Natural Park, home to some 250 different species of birds including eagles and vultures, and the place to enjoy numerous outdoor activities including hiking, mountain biking, road cycling, climbing, horse riding and gliding. One of the park’s must-sees is Les Baux-de-Provence; nestled into a rocky hillside it’s a bit of a climb to get there but well worth the effort. Avignon is a 20-minute drive; this popular but very walkable city is rich in cultural interest, from the UNESCO-classified Papal Palace to its famous medieval bridge across the Rhone.

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