Mas Les Chênes Verts

A Five-Bedroom French Farmhouse from Filmmaker Sir Ridley Scott

Conjuring the lyrical, sun-dappled vibe of Provence with a neatly redefined creative, contemporary splash, this traditional farmhouse on filmmaker Ridley Scott’s wine estate was gutted and reborn as an instant French classic, an airy, light-infused residence surrounded by vines, for up to nine guests.

With five en-suite bedrooms including an independent apartment with a kitchen and lounge of its own, this largest of the farmhouse trio is insulated by its namesake, evergreen oak trees, with a manicured Mediterranean garden and private, 13x5-meter swimming pool and shaded entertainment patio.

Bright modern works of art, mobiles and furniture with a distinctive mid-century flair join bleached limestone and linen-draped French doors and windows to create a Southern French retreat with an al fresco focus. The independent apartment within the house has its own entrance. Lounge chairs and parasols surround the turquoise pool on the green lawns, and the spectacular medieval village of Oppede-le-Vieux is a 30-minute stroll away.

Guests can experience Scott’s cutting edge winery, explore an on-site collection of film memorabilia, and sample honey, olive oil and estate-bottled vintages with labels hand-drawn by Scott. Note: The home is not suited for children under 12.

Around

Located on the wine estate owned by renowned filmmaker Ridley Scott since 1992, the residence is surrounded by 32 hectares of vines near the ancient citadel of Oppède-le-Vieux and the lyrical Provencal villages of Lacoste, Ménerbes, and Bonnieux. It’s set at the base of the protected Luberon National Park, an area dense with hiking, mountain biking, climbing, and outdoor adventure options. The Mas des Infermières Estate includes a tasting cellar and shop, tours of the estate detailing the land’s history, architecture, vines and range of wines, and ample opportunities to discover Sir Ridley Scott’s cinematic universe, too. The estate is approximately an hour’s drive from the cities of Avignon, Aix en Provence, and Marseilles, set at the foot of the scenic Massif of the Luberon region.

The villas make for an ideal base from which to explore the small, scenic villages of the region. First stop is the nearby hilltop village of Oppède-le-Vieux, a timeless medieval village at the heart of Provence. Stone buildings cling to the green slopes on the north face of the Luberon, and the village is actually two communities in one, with the once completely abandoned old town on high, and a newer village at the base of the mountains. Oppede-le-Vieux is crowned by an ancient castle ruin and made of cobbled streets and homes carved of mountain rock. Also nearby is the much-loved Provençal village of Menerbes, classically perched on a hill above vineyards and cherry orchards, its stony streets dotted with bakeries, shops, terraced cafes, and big views of the green countryside. Writer Peter Mayle may have put the town on the map in recent times, but the ancient citadel city is dominated by a 16th-century fortress and castle. Gastronomes love the Maison de la Truffe et du Vin (house of truffles and wine), and there’s also an offbeat Corkscrew Museum on the road to Cavaillon, home of the delectable regional melon. Finally, Bonnieux, officially one of France’s “Most Beautiful Villages,” offers a bit more commerce and sightseeing, including an artisanal bakery museum, a handful of churches and stately pastel mansions once home to Catholic Bishops when the region was a papacy, and views over the region’s symbolic peak, Mont Ventoux.

Location: Oppède, Luberon, Provence, France.

Nearest airport: Avignon (29km), Marseille (68km)

Best time to visit

March to November