Maisons Dominos Saint-Rémy

Swimming Pool, Old Stones, Singing Cicadas and Terracotta Touches

This four-bedroom, four-bathroom villa features warm terracotta tiling inside and out, evoking a classic summer in the heart of Provence, where cicadas sing in the fragrant hills, and meals are always alfresco. One of the designer getaways in the Maisons Dominos collection, this spirited space celebrates the classic Provençal summer holiday, with its oversized family dining table on the sunny terrace, a sparkling swimming pool steps from a shaded outdoor lounge, and interiors imbued with a style that recalls family holidays of yesteryear.

With an exterior combining old stones and whitewashing and interiors accented by mid-century modern flea market finds, the warm home makes a great base for unwinding and exploring the picturesque region. Walking distance to the center of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, with a handful of post-card perfect villages within 15 minutes drive, the home's outdoor spaces invite easygoing family time, with a heated pool, bbq, outdoor lounge area, and games.

Layout

The house's four bedrooms include two kings, one queen, and a charmingly retro-inspired, double bunk room with sleep spots for six (two full-sized bottom bunks for two, twin top bunks for one each). Bedrooms include bathrooms, with showers and tubs, plus a hammam.

Around

Located five minutes on foot from the center of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, this home sets you square at the heart of classic Provence, an area of picture-perfect villages with flowering cobbled alleyways and stony ruins surrounded by fields of lavender and wild rosemary and thyme. Saint-Rèmy is best known for its connection to artist Vincent Van Gogh, whose works, including Starry Night, and Irises, were inspired by the town. There’s a Van Gogh Trail that leads from the village to the psychiatric hospital where the artist sought solace near the Saint-Paul de Mausole monastery. Elegant and understated, the pastel village has a shaded central square, bordered by shops, cafes, and stone buildings worthy of postcards and travel posters—perfect spots to sip a local rosé made in the hills outside town. Or visit the Glanum archaeological site, a 3rd century Roman city with a temple, marketplace and other ruins. Hikers can take to the Alpilles mountains outside of town, where marked trails lead to rocky outcroppings with great views on the photo-worthy region.

The region of Provence has inspired generations, from native son Vincent Van Gogh to film director Claude Berri, whose timeless movies about the region are worth a watch before traveling there. Regional villages not to be missed include Les Baux de Provence (15 minute drive), and enchanting Eygalières (15 minutes), where tile-roofed stone buildings and medieval ruins line the narrow winding streets and the Alpilles mountains stand flanked by shimmering olive groves and zigzagged with fragrant, herb-dotted trails perfect for hiking, mountain biking or even horseback riding. In Les Baux-de-Provence, a fortified chateau occupies a rocky plateau and the town has been designated one of France’s Most Beautiful Villages, home to more than 20 classified historic monuments.

Market shopping in the region is a must, too, with open air markets offering an astonishing abundance of fruit, vegetables and flowers. The local Saint-Rémy-de-Provence market market days are not to be missed, or head to the small, aristocratic city of Aix-en-Provence for a bigger spread and a dedicated flower/plant market in a pretty town square. For antiques and curiosities, the riverside village of l’Isle sur la Sorgue makes for a great day trip. Art lovers should head to nearby Arles and history buffs should check out Avignon, once the papal capital, with dozens of beautiful historic sites clustered around the glinting Rhone River.

Location: Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France. Nearest Airport: Marseilles, approximately 30 miles; Nimes, approximately 25 miles

Best Time to Visit: March to October