Overview

With less than 2,000 residents, guests can immerse themselves in a quiet, traditional Provençal setting free of crowds and the associated traffic and parking challenges. Maillane is located just minutes by car from Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, its many interesting shops, lively cafés and bustling weekly market on Wednesday within easy reach. Having the leafy streets of Maillane and the fresh atmosphere of Villa Blue Shutters to return to will be a welcome respite after a few laps around the circle road of Saint-Remy.

Many village houses do not have the space for a garden, but Villa Blue Shutters has a surprisingly large and very lush garden area with climbing flowered vines, mature trees and bushes, as well as terra cotta pots brimming with geraniums dotting the garden with splashes of color.

Access is through a gate along a high stone wall which surrounds the house. The wall provides complete privacy from the occasional passerby along the lane, whether on foot or by car. The enchanting garden area comprises more than 2,100 sq. ft and includes a vine-covered terrace with table for six, barbeque area with gas Weber grill, good quality chairs and a small stone table in a shaded area, as well as chaises longues situated around the pool (3 m X 7.5 m, 10' x 24', secured by an automatic rolling cover). Pool towels are provided. Parking is on the small street immediately outside the gate.

The house can be entered either through the main door on the right or sliding glass doors into the kitchen on the left side of the classic stone façade, its windows framed by blue shutters. The main door opens onto a hall giving access to the sunny living room and cozy sitting room on the right or the dining room which leads to the kitchen on the left. There is a powder room along the hall for guests, which also doubles as the second WC for the house.

Tall windows flood the living room with natural light and offer views of the garden. Furnished with two comfortable couches covered in cream fabric, two end tables, large glass coffee table, built-in bookcase and working fireplace, this spot is perfect for an evening aperitif on a cool fall or early spring night. The separate sitting room has two chairs and a television with satellite reception, including English speaking channels. There is also a VCR and multi-zone DVD player.

Across the hall is the dining room with a small wooden table for six. This room also enjoys abundant natural light from two large windows. Assuming it is a typical sunny day, it is more likely guests will opt to dine outdoors in the fresh air. On the rare rainy day or in the off-season the dining room will be better appreciated.

The dining room leads to the large, well-equipped kitchen with breakfast nook. This newly renovated room showcases a successful combination of original materials such as exposed wooden beams and antique hardware and fixtures with modern elements such as a stainless steel suite of appliances, resulting in an old-world feel with the comfort of modern convenience. The breakfast nook can accommodate six for a leisurely petit-déjeuner. Guests can also grab a quick cup of coffee and a croissant from the village boulangerie at the pub-style table for two with bar stools before dashing off for the day’s adventures. For more substantial fare there is a five-burner gas stove, electric wall oven, two-door American-style refrigerator with built-in ice-maker, dishwasher, toaster, coffee maker and juicer. There is a large marble double sink and stone-tiled countertops. Built-in cabinets and shelves provide plenty of storage space.

The last room on the ground floor is the laundry room. Off the kitchen guests can wash, fluff and fold or iron to their heart’s content in the spacious room. A washer, separate tumble dryer, drying rack, ironing board and iron as well as a utility tub are available for guest use.

All three bedrooms are on the upper level accessed by stairs leading from the entry hall. The first bedroom has two twin beds in white frames which can be made up as a king-sized bed. There is a small television and radio with CD player. The second bedroom has a double bed. The first two bedrooms have sea grass carpeting, a small dresser and hanging space as well as a shelf unit for storage. These bedrooms share a tumbled stone tiled bathroom across the hall with a long single vanity, large walk-in shower (no tub) and WC.

The master is the largest bedroom and has a queen-sized bed and traditional tommettes (octagonal terra-cotta tiled floors). There is hanging storage as well as shelves. This bedroom uses a large grey stone tiled bath with tub. There is no shower or WC. Guests staying in this room can use the WC in the second upper level bathroom or the guest WC on the ground floor. All three bedrooms have fans as well as screens on the windows for comfort in the warmer months.

A study beyond the master bedroom could be used either by a painter as a studio or a writer as an office. On the landing at the top of the stairs is a large armoire and a desk which can be used to set up a laptop computer. The property is equipped with wireless high-speed Internet connection. In addition to Villa Blue Shutters being hidden in a quiet little village the house is equipped with a security system.

Saint-Rémy is the hub of the Alpilles region and is deservedly well-known for its many restaurants and cafés, shopping of all kinds and Wednesday morning market. With a little experience and planning, the parking challenges can be easily conquered. A few minutes to the east of Saint-Rémy is Eygalières, a picturesque village now known for the Michelin 2-star Bistrot d’Eygalieres. A short drive across the Alpilles mountains brings visitors to Les Baux de Provence and Maussane-les-Alpilles. The ruins of the castle at Les Baux form an indelible impression against the deep blue sky, and an impressive setting awaits those who patronize the nearby L’Oustaù de Baumanière, Provence’s most famous restaurant. The Marseille-Provence airport at Marignane, with frequent flights to Paris as well as London, Frankfurt and other European capitals, is just an hour south of Maillane. Avignon, with its long history, theater festival and ultra-modern TGV station, is just 20 minutes to the north.

Carefully furnished and with a long list of amenities, Villa Blue Shutters offers a truly enticing combination of comfort, style and convenience at an attractive price point.