The Roucoulade Residence
Perks for the Parents
An idyllic Provencal gîte nestled in the countryside outside Aix-en-Provence, designed for parents looking for a slow travel escape. It sleeps 5 + 3. Spend your days relaxing on the small private terrace under a pergola of vines, overlooking the small fountain or float away the days in the swimming pool under views of the Ventrabren Mill (classified as a historical monument by the French government). Ask the host about customizing your very own ‘slow’ experience: they’ll help with collecting groceries from the supermarket or local markets, catered meals, a private chef, wine tastings, at-home massages, sports coaching, yoga classes and babysitting.
Why Kids Love it
For the children, there’s a ping-pong table, a dart board, a petanque court, a croquet set, football cages, and a multitude of board games. The pool is heated so kids can play out in the water for hours, and they’ll love spotting the fish in the small fountain (and visiting frogs!). Out and about, the Ventabren plateau is a 15-minute walk from the house and offers heaps of activities, including: tennis, football, athletics, basketball, skate park, playground for babies, and the start of many walks on the hill. Ahigh chair, a baby bed, changing mat and some baby toys are also available on request.
Things to Know
Minimum stay: 2 nights from October to March; 3 nights April to September; 7 nights in July - August. Safety notes: the pool and the foundation are not gated. For the more cocooning evenings, the 360 degree fireplace allows you to warm up by the fire, with a good herbal tea from the garden. The gite shares the wider estate with a larger vacation home, usually used by the host’s family, but it can be booked separately by another group. The terrace in front of the living room is private for the gite, but the other areas (the garden with the hackberry patch, the fountain, the pool, the pétanque area) are shared with the hosts on site. The hosts provide sheets and towels (including for the pool), as well as hygiene kits, and a Welcome Pack with olive oil, traditional French candy and an aperitif. The gîte is non-smoking but you can smoke outside. Pets are not allowed. Laundry facilities are available.
About the Location
The property is located in Ventabren, a pretty, typical Provençal village with charming stone streets. It’s in the golden triangle between Salon, Aix and Marseille: it’s 20 minutes west of Aix en Provence, 25 minutes from Salon de Provence and 40 minutes from Marseille. You can reach Aix en Provence TGV train station in 15 minutes and it’s 25 minutes to Marignane international airport. Car rental is essential to explore the area, although there are cafes, restaurants and shops within walking distance.
Accommodation Details
The gîte has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. The main large living area features a dining room opening out to a lounge with fireplace, together with a small yet well-equipped kitchen. The primary bedroom has a kingsize bed; the second bedroom has 2 single beds, ideal for kids. The main bathroom has a bathtub and the second bathroom has a shower only. Outside, the swimming pool is private and a small private terrace under a pergola of vines is the perfect spot for lunch, dinner or an aperitif outside.
Style Notes
Pretty Provençal. The gîte is a typical Provençal house with a terracotta floor, modernized with chic decoration combining country spirit with art deco styling. This is the perfect place to recharge your batteries, with a simple, harmonious style that feels fresh and contemporary. We love the pretty peach tones in the living room, the cute built-in twin beds in the kids room and the Parisian-style monochrome bathroom.
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Air Conditioning
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Baby Bath
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Baby Monitor
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Babysitter / Nanny
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Backyard / Garden
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Balcony
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Bathtub
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Bed Rails
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Bicycles
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Cabinet Locks
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Changing Table
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Chef / Catering
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Children's Dinnerware
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Corner Guards
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DVD Library
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DVD Player
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Dishwasher
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Elevator
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Fireplace Guards
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Game Console
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High Chair
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Housekeeper
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Outlet Plugs
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Parking
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Pet-friendly
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Pool
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Pool Gate
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Stair Gates
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Television
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Toys / Children's Books
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Washer / Dryer
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Wifi
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Window Guards

Aix-en-Provence , Provence
Cezanne, carousels and Provençal charm
With light and countryside that inspired the Impressionists, plus beautiful boutiques, vineyards and culture to excite anyone, Aix is one of the most desirable towns in Provence. Play in the gardens at the Pavilion de Vendome or ride the carousel plastered with pictures by Cezanne. Just outside the town there are plenty of parks to discover, along with a planetarium and the fantastic Fondation Vasarely, a op-art focused gallery with great family programming. Sandy beaches are an hour’s drive away, and the traditional delights of Provence, including weekly markets, work for all ages too.