The Moustiers Ste Marie Residence
Perks for the Parents
This 200-year-old Provencal Bastide is nestled in a private 15-acre mountain vale just outside one of the most beautiful villages in France and includes a private pool, kid-friendly bedrooms and a setting to fall in love with. Bordered on one side by a gentle mountain stream, with small cascades and rock-pools, and on the other by gradually sloping rock terraces covered in aromatic herbs and olive trees, this rare property has been stylishly renovated and is exceptional both inside and out. This house is uniquely situated to discover incredible landscapes and enjoy hikes, bike trails, sailing, paddle, canoe, rafting and canyoning, as well as the culinary delights of the region, for a holiday that you will always remember. Relax in the sun with a good book by the pool, enjoy numerous outdoor activities and end your day dining at Alain Ducasse's Michelin-starred ‘la Bastide de Moustiers’.
Why Kids Love it
This hideaway offers a variety of occupations for everyone in the family, ranging from peaceful to adventurous: there are many beautiful walks and hikes inside the property for families with babies and young children. For older siblings and parents, scenic drives and hikes in the Gorges du Verdon, along the river and around the village of Moustiers, as well as mountain biking or e-biking trails on the Lavender-covered plateau of Valensole. In addition, the Lac de St. Croix (the fourth largest in France) is 5 minutes’ drive away, where kids can swim, stand-up paddle, canoe, hobie-cat or windsurf. Canyoning, rafting, hydrojet, rock-climbing and abseiling, paragliding discovery and bungee jumping (from the highest spot in Europe) are some of the other more sporty or adrenaline-filled activities that older siblings can enjoy.
Things to Know
Minimum stay: 1 week, from Saturday 1600 to Saturday 1100. Rates includes full use of property, weekly cleaning, bed linen, bathroom towels and pool towels. The house has a pool with a child alarm, as per French regulations. Young children will need supervision in the garden, which has a stream and rock pools. Note that the upper bunks are high in the bunk bed room and suitable for age 6+. A crib can be installed in any room and a high chair is available. The electric Weber outdoor barbecue has enhanced child security against fire. The housekeeper/guardian Ricardo lives in a self-contained flat on the second floor with its own separate entrance at the back of the house. He will help to make your stay as comfortable as possible and answer any questions or assist you with any issue you might encounter. Pets are not allowed and smoking is forbidden inside the house.
About the Location
The residence is at the southernmost tip of the Alpes de Haute Provence, at an altitude of 500m, right next to Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, one of the most beautiful villages in France. Mountain bike or E-biking is possible on numerous trails of all levels, along peaceful rivers, lavender fields or high cliffs, and you can rent E-bikes in nearby Greoux-les-Bains. It is next to the Gorges du Verdon and is easily accessible by car, taking 2 hours from Nice, Marseilles or Nimes Airport. It is 1.5 hours from Aix or Avignon train stations and the same from the Mediterranean at Saint-Tropez, Fréjus or Cannes. It is 5 minutes from the street markets of gorgeous Moustiers-Sainte-Marie and from the Sainte Croix lake La Cadena nautic base, right along the edge of the renowned Gorges du Verdon. Car rental is essential in this area.
Accommodation Details
This farmhouse has 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms and measures 240 sqm. The house is set in 15 acres with a garden including a mountain stream with rock-pools and a 10 x 4 metres pool with an open view on the valley. The ground floor is open plan with a dining room, study/living room and kitchen with Gaggenau appliances and induction hobs on a convenient central island. Connecting sliding doors lead to both outside terraces. Another sitting room on the ground floor, with double sofas, bookshelves and a flat satellite TV, has an open fireplace. The main guest bedroom is on the ground floor and has an ensuite bathroom and doors to the terrace. On the first floor, there is a master bedroom with island bath and ensuite bathroom plus dressing room. There is also a bedroom with 2 twin beds on this floor, a bedroom with a double bed and a bedroom with a bunk bed. Bathrooms include showers and bathtubs.
Style Notes
Dream House. This XVIIIth century country house has been fully renovated using top quality fixtures and fittings, including double-glazed windows and underfloor heating, to create a historic home with modern comforts The bastide is all about the amazing scenery on your doorstep: the entire Angourie Vale is yours to enjoy from the Vallonge mountain stream to the top of the hill covered in rock terraces. You can lounge by the pool, read and and enjoy pristine views of the surrounding mountains, especially at apéritif time as the sun sets on the mountains above. You can walk up the fragrant terraces covering the side of the valley and gaze out over the Lac de St. Croix or take the mountain walk into the village for fresh croissants. It is the perfect backdrop for a dream stay in this most wonderful corner of France. We love the freestanding bathtub for fun bathtimes with the kids, the sweet in-built bunk beds and calming, neutral colors throughout.
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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
Verdon, Provence
Europe's most beautiful river canyon
In the hinterland of Provence, this dramatic river canyon is one of the most beautiful in Europe, set in an ancient landscape of lavender fields and pretty villages. Take a canoe on the lakes and explore hidden beaches, drive around the edge of the gorge for dramatic views, and stop at the magical village of Moustieres-Sainte-Marie, where a golden star hangs above the village, suspended from the cliffs.
