Our 300-year old village home offers a large, multi-level, secluded garden and small pool next to a 17th century chapel with a spectacular view of the Luberon national park. Located in Menerbes itself, you have all the conveniences of village shops while located on a quiet street. You can park your car and walk everywhere.
The house is located on the southern flank of the perched village of Menerbes, classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France. Peter Mayle's “A Year in Provence” is set in Menerbes where he lived for many years.
Eating outdoors in summer is a French tradition and we have three lovely areas set up with tables and chairs. Enjoy breakfast with fresh bread and local fruit on the veranda, just off the kitchen, with a spectacular view of the Luberon while you read the local paper and International New York Times. Lunch and dinner are eaten under the grapevine - from here, the view towards the Luberon is framed by green leaves and grapes (depending on the season) and the view is like an Impressionist painting. An afternoon snack can be had on the lower garden next to the pool on an antique iron café table and chairs. After an evening walk, you can drink herbal tea with verbena from the garden and watch the colors change on the mountain with the setting sun or gaze at the stars.
Menerbes is a short drive from weekly markets in Apt and Cavaillon, the ochre hills of Roussillon, the Abbaye de Senanque, Fontaine de Vaucluse and other perched villages such as Gordes, Bonnieux and Oppede-le-Vieux. A 45-minute drive brings you to Avignon with the Palais de Papes, museums and lively cultural festivities. A 60-minute drive along back roads and vineyards brings you to Aix-en-Provence.
Our extensively renovated house is 105 square meters on three floors, located in a quiet area of the village where tourists tend not to venture. Just up the street is the baker (where you can smell baguettes baking), and just beyond, a grocery store with a large selection of local produce, local wineshop, cafes, ice cream shops and a choice of 5 restaurants. Another street brings you to the Truffle and Wine museum where you can taste and buy local wine.
Our house is an authentic 'maison de village and; our family has lived in Menerbes for generations. The first floor has a cozy living room with traditional Provencal floor tiles, a comfortable couch, day bed and reading chair, and antique chairs. This leads to a fully equipped kitchen with hand-made tiles and a table seating six. The veranda - with a spectacular view just off the kitchen, has a table seating 6-8, and two lounge chairs to the side. Also on the first floor is a full bathroom with clawfoot tub, shower, toilet and sink and another half bathroom with toilet and sink.
Three bedrooms are located on the second floor with old, beautiful terra cotta tiles. The main bedroom has an en suite bathroom with toilet, sink and walk-in shower, a French window with a spectacular view of the Luberon with a double bed, traditional Provencal chair and antique country furniture. The second bedroom has a queen size bed and one twin bed, drawers & desk, and the third bedroom has a queen size bed, a set of drawers and a desk.
The third floor is a large family room with a beamed ceiling and parquet floor. It can be used as a 4th bedroom for guests as it has an antique sleigh bed and drawers. Four windows include two skylights making it wonderfully light with a picture-postcard view of the village castle. This room has a new flat screen TV for streaming programs from internet, a CD player, desk and shelves full of books in French and English. The sofa and confortable chair is a perfect place to relax, watch TV or play games if you have the very unlikely chance to have a rain day during your visit.
The house has been repainted in ochre colors “patine a l’ancienne” and is furnished with antique furniture. All beds have Provencal quilts (boutis.) Other furnishings include tribal and oriental rugs, Indian screens, African masks, Somali chests, antique African cloth and original paintings from Haiti.
The garden is on two levels. Steps from the kitchen veranda lead down to the terrace shaded in grapevines with a table for 6-8. Just beyond is another terrace adjacent to the old stone wall of the Chapelle. Stone steps lead down to the lower garden which has a grassy area, antique café table and four chairs and small pool and deck. The pool deck is shaded by a large sun umbrella with four lounge chairs. This garden space is a haven of peace, and surprisingly private with spectacular views of the Luberon.
The house is available for limited dates between May and September. You will find everything you need including sheets, towels, linens, dishes, cutlery, and kitchen equipment. The house has wireless internet. Our efficient and responsive concierge will meet you upon arrival (guests rave about her!). Guests also appreciate our notebook crammed with information – importantly for our favorite hikes around Menerbes.
This is a “real home” used by our family and French relatives – not a vacation rental property so the house and garden have some rustic, bohemian edges. We love the old stones! Located on the edge of a perched village, the house and garden is built on several levels with multiple uneven stairs. Only the first floor is fully handicapped accessible from the street (except for the bat tub). The living room has a day bed, living room kitchen and terrasse are on same level with only one low step at the front door. Other areas of the house and garden are accessible through stairs. The house size is perfect for a family of 4-5 or three couples. Single couples have also enjoyed renting.
A few comments from past renters: “The house was so lovely, full of character and the view very breathtaking.” “The village location was just perfect and the garden surprisingly secluded.” “We went to the coast to meet friends, but there was no comparison – we wished we had stayed in Menerbes instead.” "The house is magical!"
Keywords: Maison de village, Village House
