La Villa Chasse Gardée

The Gathering Place: A Private Family Preserve

Named for its location under a windswept pine canopy in an unspoiled corner of Provence, this villa for rent in France stands as an ideal family gathering spot for a group seeking an easygoing, ultra-private escape in the woods. Hidden within a fragrant Mediterranean garden, the home’s communal spaces unfold around the charming, two-story structure. There’s a secret garden feeling to the shaded exterior spaces that include a terraced pool deck, manicured pétanque pitch, outdoor dining room, and cushy, shaded lounges.

A friendly, two-story Provençal villa with a charmed, lost-in-the-woods quality about it, this modern country villa benefits from its isolation and easygoing, Southern French styling. Verdant garden beds step downwards from the home, arriving at a long lean pool and terrace, where sun loungers and sling chairs dot the lawns. Pebbled pathways meet wooden boardwalks, each walkway leading to a gathering spot created for dining, playing, or simply unwinding in the sundappled or sweet, twinkle-light-lit landscapes.

Inside, the home offers personality and color. The living area décor features a warm color palette and was designed with a soft, feminine touch. Flowered rugs and throw pillows, soft cushioned sofas and ottomans, and artisanal décor with a Provençal polish fill the space. Wide, gently arching glass doors lead outside to the garden, and a cozy updated kitchen spreads out adjacent to the living area. A generous wooden farm table in the kitchen makes the perfect spot for casual food prep and in-house dining. Alternatively, take your meals outdoors and bask in the comfort of rattan, wicker and cane seating, and enjoy covered alfresco dining or carefree lounging under the trees.

Two of the home’s bedrooms are located upstairs, one room with a super king-size bed, the other set with a pair of twin beds, making the upper level the perfect spot to host a small family. Two additional bedrooms are located on the ground floor, one benefitting from a private terrace. Bathrooms are ensuite, three featuring walk-in showers, and the fourth with a bathtub.

AROUND

Located at the foot of Mount Ventoux, this villa for rent in France offers a family retreat in a quiet corner of Provence. The region is rich in culture and history, steeped in the wild Mediterranean myth characteristic of the South of France. The home is located just outside the village of Pernes-les-Fontaines, named for its 41 ancient fountains ranging from the natural and moss covered to the more massive and sculptural. The murmur of water can be followed along the town’s dedicated fountain-discovery footpath that also circulates through the cobbled village’s narrow streets, revealing 17th- and 18th-century residences, the ruins of a former Chateau dungeon, a fortified, 15th-century gateway, and the village’s original clock tower and covered market.

Nearby, the village of L'Isle sur la Sorgue has gained notoriety for its colorful and well-heeled Sunday market. Each week, the town welcomes those in-the-know to shop its overflowing stands of antique treasures and artworks, and the charming, canalside market also features dozens of fruit, vegetable, cheese and flower stalls. 

The greater Vaucluse region offers a number of picturesque Provencal villages to explore, including Gordes, Ménerbes, Bonnieux, and Lacoste. Outdoorsy types will enjoy the rugged hiking and mountain biking, fans of food and drink will enjoy regional gastronomical touring and tasting adventures, and those seeking a more urban environment should make the quick drive to Avignon, with its famous bridge and Papal Palace.

LOCATION

Pernes-les-Fontaines, Vaucluse, France. Nearest airport: Avignon

BEST TIME TO VISIT: June to September