“Breathtaking” is the best word to describe this location. The domain is located on a hillside, well-protected from the mistral, and soaks up the sun all day long. Trees all over the domain provide shade so you can relax even on hot summer days.
Our lodgers relax and unwind quickly. They might feel like they ended up in a remote village in the Provence, but nothing could be further from the truth. A brisk walk along the picturesque ‘ancient donkey’ track that runs downhill along the domain takes you to the centre of Gordes in just 10 minutes. Perfect if you want to buy fresh croissants in one of the two (excellent) village bakeries.
Peace and quiet reign here. The entire domain smells of lavender, thyme, and all those special aromas the Provence has to offer. In certain areas, terraces have been constructed that offer a magnificent view over the Luberon valley. The terrace in front of the house provides an almost magical view of Gordes, Ménerbes and Bonnieux. These three village combine to form the so-called ‘triangle d’or’, the golden triangle of the Luberon river, which inspired the domain’s name.
If you are looking for nature and a charming place to spend your holidays that is not in the middle of nowhere, this is the place to be.
The 120 m² summer house is modest, but it has been renovated to provide all modern comfort. Adjacent to the living room is a large terrace that offers lovely views over the Luberon and its world famous villages (‘villages perchés’). The open kitchen has all the equipment that even the most passionate cook can dream of. The house has three bedrooms: one with a double bed and a smaller bed for a child (room 1), one with a double bed and two bunk beds (room 2) and a master bedroom with its own small bathroom. Room 1 and 2 share a separate bathroom. The heating consist of electrical heaters, and a cosy little wood stove for colder autumn nights. The large sliding window in the living room and kitchen provides daylight, with awnings to keep the house cool in summertime.
The mazet (small mas) is a small old building which probably served as the shepherds’ house. It has been completely renovated. The ground floor has a small living room with a kitchenette and a toilet, and the first floor has the bedroom with its own bathroom (salle d’eau). Around the mas terrace, a Provencal garden is laid out, with lavender and olive trees. Fans of the game can play pétanque, and at night, there is nothing better than unwinding on the patio with its outdoor kitchen (with BBQ, running water, table, chairs and parasol).
Shepherds used to live on this domain, as evidenced by the dozens of dry-stone walls (‘restanques’) and the stone igloos (‘bories’) constructed with the typical Gordes stone. Two of these bories have been carefully refurbished. One is now a bedroom, and the other is a bathroom (with shower, sink and toilet). A third borie offers lodgers a more primitive night’s sleep; it holds a wooden platform with a mattress –perfect for teenagers.
The expansive garden has plenty of nooks and crannies for you to retreat to. Approximately 4000 m² of the garden has been professionally landscaped and is very well maintained while the rest, the southern area, remains wild to keep out the outside world. The garden has a few special areas: the mazet and its Provencal garden, the children’s playground (with a swing set and trampoline) and, of course, the courtyard with the swimming pool.
Many guests claim that the 16x6-meter swimming pool is the domain’s showpiece. UV rays filter the water, so little chlorine is used, and a heat pump warms the water to 28° Celsius from the end of May to the end of September. Next to the swimming pool you find a sunbathing area and a teak terrace that offers another magnificent view over the valley.
The pool is located in a courtyard that is surrounded by dry stack stone walls of more than 2 meters high, so there are no nosy neighbours or passers-by; it is an oasis of peace and quiet. The courtyard has iron gates that can be closed to prevent babies and small children from entering. This place is 100% safe for our youngest lodgers. The pool itself is about 50 meters away from the house, so the swimming does not disturb anyone. The swimming pool has an automatic cover, so the water does not cool off during the night.
Swimming is of course impossible during the winter, and so is sleeping in the bories. The domain and the house, however, offer other possibilities. Nature may be at its best during the winter, with the contrast between evergreens and white oaks with brown leaves, mushrooms, Spanish bluebells, etc. If you are lucky, you can sometimes spot wild (but not dangerous) animals such as foxes or wild hogs. The house has all modern comfort needed (electric heaters, wood stove). During the winter, the surrounding areas are fantastic for hiking. Winter is the perfect season for hikers to explore Vaucluse.
