Le Mas de Saribou

An Ecogîte Surrounded in Gardens and Meadows

Hidden away in the southern part of the Ardèche, this home is a lovely combination of contemporary and old world. Built with eco sensibilities, its interiors have been created using natural and reclaimed materials, and its lavish gardens boast a pretty, natural pool. It's also a darling of design publications, having been featured in The Times, The Green Traveller, Elle Décoration, Home Magazine, and Simple Things.

We love the simplicity of this gite in the south of France. Surrounded in one hectare of gardens and meadows, it is large enough to sleep up to eight guests, and is perfectly suited for relaxation and eating well. 

The elegant interiors are full of brightly-colored, playful furnishings and objects. The large main space is made up of a living room with library and cool suspended fireplace, a dining room and an open gourmet kitchen.

A large window opens onto the terraces and the surrounding garden with its stunning naturally-filtered swimming pool. There is an outdoor kitchen/dining area on the shaded southern terrace, with four burners, a grill, a fridge and a stone sink, perfect for dinners on summer nights. 

The garden has distinct sections. The priest's garden is planted with roses, peonies, dahlias and asters, surrounded in box trees, with a pond and old fruit trees with bird houses. The mill garden is drought-tolerant, with arbors of grapevines, climbing roses and a water garden. There are lounge chairs, hammocks and armchairs, as well as two ewes Dahlia and Mimosa, who serve as gentle lawnmowers.

The property was awarded the Ecogîte label by Gîtes de France for having a minimal impact on the environment. Materials used include brick, lime, plaster, locally-harvested wood and stones from Ruoms, a local quarry. Limestone paving stones and 18th-century terracotta tiles are recovered from old buildings, and interior doors are antique. The roof is insulated using bales of straw from the fields, the furnace heats the house using old trees from the orchards, and there are solar panels for heating water.

This is a really great vacation home for rent in France, perfect for large groups or families wanting to unwind in natural surroundings.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES 

For guests staying a week or more, a complimentary organic and locavore appetizer buffet is included.  The beds have organic Terre de Femme and Caravane bedding, bathrooms have Italian showers and stone sinks, as well as a basket of organic L’Occitane en Provence products. Linens and towels are provided. 

 

AROUND

The house's library has a collection of books on the natural history and heritage of the Ardèche. The owners recommend exploring the villages in the Cévennes, Romanesque churches and local museums. They can also recommend locations for outdoor sports like canyoning, rock-climbing, kayaking and hiking. Tours of their organic orchards are available. 

The house is located near several major tourist attractions: the Vallon-Pont d’Arc cave, the gorges of the Ardèche river and various historical villages. It is situated in the heart of the Natural Regional Park of the mountains of the Ardèche.

LOCATION

Vesseaux, France. Nearest airport: Avignon-Provence (90km).

BEST TIME TO VISIT: Spring to autumn.