On the ground floor, the house has three double bedrooms - two leading on to a terrace - a shower room and utility room. There is also a second bathroom on the first floor. Two bedrooms have double beds and one has two singles. There are also two children’s foldaway beds.
For outdoor eating and drinking, the balcony on the first floor is a huge 3 x 9 metres, while the terrace downstairs is partly covered. Both have tables and chairs. The garden is on three levels and slopes down towards the woods. It has the sunshine all day but there are plenty of shady spots, where you can sit under a tree or swing in a hammock.
The spacious lounge The dining area
Upstairs there is a large open plan living/dining room and kitchen leading on to a large balcony that affords views over the lake and forests. The living room has a television which receives some French TV and BBC World, a DVD player and portable CD/cassette/radio. The kitchen is equipped with a dishwasher, fridge, electric oven and hob and all the usual utensils. The utility room has a sink, washing machine and an extra fridge to store the local wine. The house also has central heating for the winter months.
 
View into the bedroom from the terrace There is one twin bedroom and two double bedrooms
   

Family friendly
We welcome families with young children and can provide a cot and stair guard free of charge. The villa has two large terraces with railings, which act as huge play pens for toddlers. We also have some toys for toddlers.

As there is no pool, you don't have to worry about accidents. However, to cool off, there is a shallow, sectioned off area of the lake at nearby Bauduen and Les Salles, which has a life-guard in the summer. With sunny days all year, the villa is an ideal place to go with young children out of season.

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Bauduen
Bauduen is a little village perched on the side of a hill overlooking the Lac de Sainte-Croix. There are three restaurants, a hotel, post office, bakery and grocery store. There is also a weekly market. Many of the buildings, including the church and clock tower, date back to the 16th or 17th century. There are two tennis courts and watersport hire facilities and Bauduen is on one of France's 'grandes randonnées' - long hiking routes.
Fetes are held in the village on various dates throughout the summer.
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Lac de Sainte-Croix
This lake is so large it can be seen from the air as you fly in towards Nice. It is great for sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, pedalo or swimming. You can reach it for a swim, within five minutes' drive or fifteen minutes' walk from the house, and the nearest sports hire facilities are located at Bauduen. At either end of the lake you enter the spectacularly steep Gorges du Verdon.
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Les Gorges du Verdon
The 'grand canyon' of France is 21km long and up to 700m deep. You can see it from the top by taking a hike, which involves ladders up some of the steeper areas or you can see it from the bottom, taking a canoe through its shady interior.
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Aups
This is the nearest town, which has a range of restaurants and bars and a market on Wednesdays and Saturdays. It also has two supermarkets, Casino, in the main square and the larger, Intermarché, on the other side of town.
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Tourtour
Nicknamed the "village dans le ciel", or village in the sky; this picturesque village is about 10km away.
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Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
This village is about 30km away and is set in the rocks with a mountain stream rushing through it. Famous for pottery.
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Lavender fields
Head for the town of Riez, 24 km away, to be at the heart of the famous Provençal lavender fields.
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Further afield (within two hours' drive):
  • StTropez
  • Nice
  • Cannes
  • Bauduen boulangerie
  • Aix-en-Provence
  • Marseille
  • Toulon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THREE As

The Three A's of Provence
If you've decided to head to Provence this summer, but are having trouble knowing where to start in your plans, don't panic! Provence is a vast region of France that is home to many spectacular sights and colourful customs, but as long as you do a little bit of research it shouldn't be too hard to tailor your trip to your needs. To start you off with a few ideas, here's a brief guide to the 3 A's of Provence: Aix, Arles and Avignon.

Aix is perhaps one of the most famous towns in the Provence region - long regarded as the cultural capital of Provence, it is home to some beautiful architecture as well as a wealth of history for you to discover. The town plays host to many educational institutions, giving it a refined air, whilst also remaining a favourite spot for writers and artists across the world. Aix played a large part in the life and art of Paul Cézanne, and visitors can call in at his studio, view his art on display in the Musée Granet, or even take a special Cézanne tour through the town. A popular spot for those in search of a bit of French culture, Aix is definitely worth a visit.

Arles, on the other hand, is perhaps slightly less renowned as one of Provence's towns to visit. Visitors tend to be drawn in by the town's Roman history and the paintings of Vincent van Gogh, its most celebrated ex-resident. As yet, Arles has remained largely untouched by the tourist industry, making it a nice place to stop off to escape the hustle and bustle of larger Provence towns. Full to the brim with monuments and museums, Arles is certainly an artistic town, with a fine line in crafts and cultural traditions. For somewhere with a less hectic pace of life, Arles stands out as a must-see Provence town.

Avignon is another town in Provence which is well known to tourists, largely due to the popular "Sur le pont d'Avignon" rhyme. The town contains much impressive and well preserved art and architecture, proving that it has more to offer than its infamous bridge. The Papal Palace, for example, was home to several popes during the 14th century, and is the largest Gothic palace in the world. Avignon itself is a vibrant place with lots of history and culture to explore, and is sure to wow you with its picturesque vistas.

Whether you choose to stick with the A's, or venture further into other Provence destinations like Nice and Marseilles, it truly is a wonderful spot for a summer holiday. Pick up a cheap hotel and accommodation package deal online, and save by purchasing your holiday insurance with companies like GO Travel- you can have a memorable break in the South of France without breaking the bank.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A FEW THINGS

A Few Things to do in Provence
France has always been a popular holiday destination for British travellers - for a relatively short, cheap journey, you can find yourself immersed in a different culture and, if you've chosen to head for Provence, a beautiful, warm climate. As a nation, France is known for its gastronomy as well as its proud traditions, and if you spend your holiday in the countryside you can enjoy the rich, age-old customs whilst soaking up some rays. If you're looking for things to do whilst in Provence, here are a few suggestions to get you started.

To begin with, why not take in some Roman ruins at the same time as visiting the infamous village where Van Gogh painted 'Starry Night'? Located 20 km south of Avignon, Saint Remy de Provence is a quaint, traditional Provencal village. It stands out, however, as it is home to the Triumphant Arch of Glanum, an awe-inspiring sight for those with an interest in Roman history. The small town also contains the Monastery de Mausole, where Van Gogh was staying when he painted his famous Starry Night painting. On Wednesdays, you can also visit Saint Remy's bustling market to pick up some fresh produce, pottery and other Provencal goods.

For something on a larger scale, you can always opt to visit Aix-en-Provence, the supposed cultural capital of Provence. A beautiful university town, Aix's riches are based on agriculture and academia. It is home to some truly superb architecture that has been carefully preserved and restored over the years, as well as a wealth of artistic and cultural sights, such as the Musée Granet and Cézanne's old studio. You can even finish your trip by relaxing at one of the town's many spas - Aix is built over hot thermal springs which are rich in minerals and can be a wonderful way to chill out after a bustling holiday.

Another area of Provence that is worth a visit is the Carmargue. It is essentially a large lagoon delta where it can be difficult to work out where the land begins in the water ends. Though it is not home to much human life, it does serve as a giant nature reserve for those who like to view birds and animals in their natural habitat. Home to flamingos, seabirds, marsh birds and all manner of amphibians, the Camargue is also frequented by white horses and bulls. This could be the perfect antidote to the hustle and bustle of tourist Provence.

The Provence region is rich in options for all manner of travellers, and can provide you with a holiday you'll always remember. It doesn't even have to be expensive - flights and hotels can be bought on the cheap from reputable internet sites. Find cheap travel insurance from companies such as GO Travel . So don't let money hold you back - start planning your Provence holiday today.