The house rests on the edge of the village of Gordes, Provence, selected as one of the 'Most Beautiful Villages in France'. Gordes is perched on the foothills of the Vaucluse mountains, at the centre of the Luberon national park, an area made famous by Peter Mayle in his book 'A Year in Provence'. The 10th century Château dominates the heart of the village, where cobbled paths lead down into a network of houses, delightful restaurants and shops. The wonderful daylight ensured Gordes was home to several famous artists such as Chagall, Deyrolle and Pol Mara. The surrounding countryside is typically Mediterranean, with rocky outcrops and evergreen scrub oak trees mixed in with the cultivated vineyards and fields of lavender. Gordes enjoys fabulous weather. In the summer months the temperature typically reaches the mid 30's celcius with a deep blue sky and a refreshing breeze. The humidity is low, ensuring an easy dry heat. In winter you will often wake up to a crisp morning, blue sky and a pleasant day temperature of 10 degrees celcius. The four seasons are clearly defined and each is thoroughly enjoyable in its own right.
Maison Des Amis is a very comfortable and spacious 2 bedroom villa of 90m2, built in the local Gordes stone. The house is built in the traditional provençal style with high ceilings and amazing wooden beams giving a grand feeling of space. The living room, dining room and kitchen are open plan, with the spacious corner kitchen ensuring social cooking. Panoramic windows open onto the terrace, with a view of the pool. The master bedroom has a double bed and wardrobe , with double French windows leading to the terrace. The second bedroom can be configured as two singles or a double and has spacious built in wardrobes. A cot and high chair can be provided on request. The shower room is configured as an open wet room (also suitable for disabled guests), with toilet and handbasin. Bed linen and towels are provided. Guests should bring their own towels for use around the pool.
The kitchen contains a cooking hob, fan oven, microwave, fridge, freezer, dishwasher, washing machine, filter coffee machine, kettle, toaster and electric mixer as well as a full range of glasses, pots, pans, cutlery and cooking utensils. There is also an ironing board and iron.
The living area contains a wide screen television with access to free-to-air English satellite channels.plus DVD player and stereo.In summer the thick walls provide good insulation and the window shutters keep the house cool. In winter months, the electric central heating keeps the house warm and snug and there is a log fireplace with insert to complete the cozy atmosphere.Outside there is a large private garden. The house is surrounded by woodland with a lawned area to one side. Access is via a short track providing parking next to the house. To the rear of the house there is a terrace with "al-fresco" dining facilities, a must in Summer! There is a further shaded barbecue area with table. A path leads down to the swimming pool. The pool itself is 9 metres by 4.5 metres and surrounded by landscaped flower beds and dry stone walls. It has built in steps in one corner of the shallow end and a step all the way around the pool ensuring safety for children and non-swimmers. At the deep end the pool is 1.8 metres deep. Conforming to French legislation, the pool is equipped with an alarm. Wifi access is available around the pool.
Whilst Maison Des Amis is perfect for doing nothing, there is still plenty to keep you occupied! Besides Gordes, the Luberon offers a number of other perched villages to visit, including Menerbes, Roussillon, Lacoste and Bonnieux. L'isle sur la Sorgue is famous for its antiques and Sunday market. The local mountainside is a haven for walkers and cyclists. The mountain tracks provide both simple and challenging routes for walkers and mountain bikers alike. Those that prefer road cycling can join the locals as they participate in one of the most popular French sports. Fishermen have a choice of several local rivers and lakes. Golfers are well catered for with several regional courses. There are many local tourist attractions and museums, among these are the famous "Village des Bories", the "Fontaine de Vaucluse" and the "Abbaye de Senanque". View Provence from the sky with both hot air balloon and light aircraft trips also available. There are several local activites for children, including adventure parks, sai