Le Mas du Venaissin

Garden Escape in Provence

A traditional Provençal farmhouse, this L-shaped villa for rent in France dates from the 18th century and occupies a secluded clearing on a wooded hilltop with unobstructed views of nearby Mount Ventoux. What really sets this sturdy, tile-roofed structure apart—besides its enviable privacy—are its attentively manicured grounds. Lush designer landscaping has transformed farmhouse into villa, a luxurious destination where vast lawns are dotted with fruiting trees, vines camouflage stony facades, whimsically sculpted evergreens delight and surprise, and palms and palmettos impart a distinctive, holiday escape vibe.

Arriving at this historic farmhouse feels a bit like stepping into a Provençal fairytale. What initially appears to be a secluded rural outpost reveals itself as a luxurious villa in one of France’s most coveted regions. Sage green shutters open across the home’s historic, blonde stone walls and Provence’s signature terracotta tiles cover the roof line. There’s a massive arched entry into the villa’s interior courtyard, a notable remnant from the building’s agricultural origins, yet today an easygoing elegance pervades the once rural property.

One in an exclusive home collection owned and operated by a couple native to Provence, this mas has been meticulously restored, with local personality and styling. The space is whimsical and welcoming, with the feeling of a timeless, upscale Provencal family home. The villa dominates a gentle hillside on a 40-hectare plot of land with a swimming pool and pool house set below the main buildings, and lush, well-defined outdoor living spaces, including pergolas, patios, and neat pebbled pathways.

On the ground floor, a pair of plush sofas are set around a massive country hearth with an adjacent piano, and the living space holds interesting books, busts, paintings and curiosities gleaned from local antique and flea markets. Exposed beams and stony walls have been maintained throughout the house in a nod to the property’s humble origins, but the interior décor styling is refined and stylized, with glided frames, candelabras and floral accents. The kitchen has been modernized and features ebony cabinetry and an eat-in dining table, and there’s another display of vintage treasures that give the space cachet.

Upstairs, the villa’s six bedrooms sleep 12 across three king-sized beds and three super-kings. A shared, more casual living area and library/TV room is also located upstairs, and two of the bedrooms feature private bathrooms, two share a bathroom with shower and bath and separate WC, and two more share a bathroom with toilet. Powder rooms are available off both living areas, and an additional bathroom is located in the pool house. Bedroom décor varies, but the overall look is casual, French country refined, with draperies, armoires, and traditional mirrors and sconces combining with textural linens and coverlets.

The home’s real showplace is its outdoor living space, a veritable Provencal playscape. Set among the stones in the courtyard between the home’s annexes, a vine-laden pergola is perfect for alfresco dining after shopping the village’s farmers’ market. A shaded summer terrace stretches alongside the home, set with sofas, loungers and side tables for relaxing with views of the manicured garden beyond where surreal, saucer-like tree canopies rival the suburban landscaping wizardry portrayed in the classic film Edward Scissorhands. Below the home, a swimming pool spreads out across a vast lawn, and another covered terrace, this one equipped with a barbecue, bar, loungers, tables and benches, creates a poolside living/dining zone. 

Opportunities are available to arrange in-home culinary courses, wine tastings, and off-site guides for the region’s recreational options.

AROUND

Located in the shadow of Mount Ventoux, this villa for rent in France offers pure Provence. Although secluded, the farmhouse is set 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 Mediterranean 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, Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur, France. Nearest airport: Avignon

BEST TIME TO VISIT: June to September