La Gardiere:
The colours, whether enjoying your apéretif in the evening or wine with lunch, as the sun reflects on the village walls can be breathtaking. It is this light, that can only be found in Provence, that has attracted so many artists over the years - including Paul Cezanne, Picasso, Braque and Pissaro to name but a few.
The pool is 11x5 metres with a wonderful terrace, new this year, that has been extended to offer magnificent views of the village and mountains by day too. There are a range of sun-loungers, chairs, parasols and lilos to make your sunbathing as pleasurable as possible.
Inside there is a contemporary, fully fitted kitchen and open plan dining room with a large dining table that will comfortably seat 8 IF it rains and similar dining accommodation outside and close to the kitchen.
In the large living room you will find relaxed seating for 8 and a huge wood-burning stove – but you won’t need that in the summer months! -
a TV with Canal Sat, a DVD, CD player and radio.
More points of interest in the area:
Further to the north you will find Mont Ventoux. The Tour de France, the worlds largest cycle race, is this year being challenged by it’s inclines on Sat July 25th. That will be a spectacle not to miss, but you will be able to return quickly to relax by the poolside.
If you would prefer to join in with exercise, then the low rolling hills to the north west of the villa offer some wonderful cycling through vineyards with special cycle routes sign posted. You will also see many many locals out for their daily rides and professional cyclists too.
Just to the east of Aix, in the northern valley of Mt St Victoire, you will find Chateau Vavenargue – Picasso’s last chateau and burial place – though don’t expect to be allowed to enter.
The region also offers some good walking routes and during July another visual and scented feast you should not miss is the natural display of field upon field of lavender in full bloom - most abundant in the Valensole region.
Cuisine:
All of the villages around have at least one top quality restaurant, and Grambois is no exception, with Les Tuileries just at the bottom of the hill – a 5 minute walk away.
In Lourmarin you will find Le Moulin. Chef Eric Sapet has brought his light touch as well as his expansive and genial personality make it a real pleasure to eat here. Sapet, who earned a well-deserved star from the Michelin Guide at his previous restaurant, has done a marvelous job of taking over Le Moulin’s kitchen from Edouard Loubet, who is now based at the Bastide de Capelongue in Bonnieux.
Le Moulin still belongs to the Loubet family, and for a perfectly reasonable price you can have lunch or dinner outside, around the fountain under huge parasols, or indoors in the elegant contemporary dining-room. Le Moulin offers an excellent selection of local wines.
You will find details of many more restaurants in the villa and I will also be able to make further recommendations for you.
marks the location of the property in Luberon
