Maison Maclay
• Booking form (page 3)
• Conditions (page 4)
Details prepared by Sallie Maclay (salliemaclay@hotmail.com)
Website: www.oocities.org/salliemaclay
Old provencal farmhouse with panoramic views south and west over the Coulon valley to the Luberon mountains. Mt Ventoux is visible from the fields at the back. No pets
The farmhouse is set well back from a country road two miles north of the Roman city of Apt, with its bustling Saturday market, cafes, restaurants and swimming pool. Apt is about 30 miles east of Avignon and about 70 miles north of Marseille.
On the broad south-facing terrace in front of the house two lime trees give shade in the heat of the day. There are two acres of old terraced fields, olive, cherry, fig and a few young plum and apricot trees. The cherries are ripe in early June and also at this time many of the wild flowers are in bloom.
The country road is one of the nationwide network of French footpaths, (GR9) and there are many walks possible from the house. These can take you past vineyards, apricot and cherry orchards, lavender fields and olive groves. The wild flowers and birds are varied with many herbs, orchids, swallowtails, buzzards and bee-eaters noticeable at different times of the year. Bicycles can be hired locally. There are marked cycle routes, one of which takes you up into the Luberon with its noted flora and fauna. The house is in the Luberon regional natural park which has an office and museum in the town. We have a range of its reference books about the region. The tourist office in Apt by the main bridge will give advice on what’s on at the time of your visit.
Accommodation
The old provencal stone farmhouse has a floor area of about 123sqm and two acres of terraced fields. There is a large living/dining room with old provencal yellow floor tiles, central table, raised sitting area at one end, mazout heater and French windows opening onto the terrace. The kitchen has a gas cooker, microwave, large Bosch fridge/freezer, clothes and dishwashing machines. There is a small utility room off the kitchen with basin, shower and WC. Upstairs is a wide landing off which is the bathroom with WC, basin, bath and shower; bedroom facing east with a double bed, and a south facing room with twin beds. A corridor through the 2m thick stone wall leads to the studio/ensuite bedroom with double bed. There is no cot.
We have tried to keep the feeling of an old Provencal farmhouse. There are no armchairs, but there is a settee and cane chairs. Downstairs there are shutters not curtains.
During July and August the studio is included in the letting.
During June and September the house will be let without the studio, which may be occupied by the owners, who will not overlook you and will keep to the back garden, but will tend the plants. They will also have a separate road access.
Children and the elderly, safety
The house is old, but we have not had any problems with children and grandparents in the 34 years it has been in the family and available for letting. In some places the ceilings are low.
There are steps between some rooms and the unfenced farm terrace is partly cut from natural rock, partly crazy paving and partly grass and herbs. The spiral stair is narrow and tiled and you should hold the stair rail. In summer small scorpions often come into the house. If you are not used to them they can be a surprise but no one has reported a sting. Children should not climb on the terrace walls or onto the roofs.
The locality
Until recently Apt was a centre for crystallised fruits, (fruits confits), lavender and its essential oils, truffles, melons, olives and wines. But things are changing as everywhere else, but some fascinating places and customs persist.
For historians, there is the important pre-Christian site at nearby Buoux whose inhabitants were defeated by the Romans, and where there is also a huge rock shelter site of pre-historic man. Near Apt off the Avignon road where the via Domitia Roman road crosses the Coulon there is a charming 2000 year old Roman bridge the pont Julien. The countryside is littered with old stone bories, thought to be shepherd huts and farmers’ daytime refuges. Some bories are beautifully made dry stone huts. At Gordes there is a whole village where you can see their clever construction. Our hill is the colline des puits, named after the dome covered cisterns used to collect roof water. At picturesque Rousillion, whose red cliffs may just be seen to the west and at Rustrel, there are ochre cliffs and in places you will see the huge old ochre sheds. There are some in Apt. Within reach for a day out are the magnificent Roman remains at Avignon, Nimes, Arles and the Pont du Gard, while the walled crusader port of Aigues Mortes is now well inland in the Camargue, an area of marshland with herds of horses, bulls and flocks of flamingoes. The old port at Marseille and the quay at Cassis have many restaurants, but for swimming we like La Ciotat.
Price
The house can accommodate four people. The weekly rent is £350 in June and September, without the studio. In July and August the rent is £550/week, including the studio. A reduction of £50 is offered for a second and each further week’s booking. A security deposit of £50 is required in case of damage to the property. You agree to leave the house clean and tidy. Bedlinen is included, and left on the beds, but not towels.
2009 weekly rent:
June, September £350: July, August £550 (includes studio): winter - by arrangement