The perfect, most charming place to stay in Provence, France, is an Airbnb that we, purely by chance, discovered late one night while searching online. We were planning a return trip to Provence to relax and work for 10 days. The previous year, we stayed in Aix-en-Provence, and while we fell in love with the city itself, the Airbnb we chose wasn’t great. But it was in the heart of Aix-en-Provence, and every night, we found ourselves wandering the streets and discovering new and interesting things every time. By the time we left, I think we had walked every street in the city at least once, if not twice.
Since the trip we were planning was for 10 nights, we wanted something very comfortable, with a pool and room to spread out and work, and a little more secluded than in the middle of a bustling city full of tourists and locals. And we found the perfect place: Maison Achard & Fils Gîte La Suite Number 1.
Maison Achard & Fils Gîte La Suite Number 1
The hosts were every bit as charming as the estate. We were running late on the long drive from Lyon to Provence and messaged them our new ETA. She asked if we’d like a small dinner snack prepared for our arrival. And, of course, we said yes, please!
When we arrived around 10:30 PM, she stopped by to introduce herself and brought the most amazing tray of fresh local cheeses, red and yellow tomatoes, basil, and the sweetest red onions picked from their garden that day. There was also a small plate of fresh meats and cornichons, a bowl of olives from their olive groves, a fresh baguette, and a bottle of red wine from their vineyards. It was the perfect ending to a long day of driving and a great way to start an amazing week of work, pool time, and exploring – all in the most idyllic setting imaginable.
The next morning, our host dropped off a beautiful breakfast tray of fresh peaches, granola, yogurt, preserves, butter, and a small tray of croissants from a local bakery – a place we stopped at almost every morning thereafter.
Our host explained that the structure was an authentic farmhouse and had been in the family for a number of years. Only recently had they completed the renovation and rebuild (all with local dry stone and lime), including the guesthouse where we were fortunate to be staying. We had a small terrace at the guesthouse entrance, which overlooked the yard, swimming pool, and pool house. The property also includes their vineyard, fields of beautiful lavender, and olive groves. It felt like a luxury hotel, only better – an ideal place to stay.
The guest house and amenities
The guesthouse has air conditioning and heating. The owners set the thermostat to the temperature they keep in their house, and it was not at all a problem for us.
Entryway
As you walk into the entry, you’ll find a bench built by a local artisan, coat racks, a place for shoes, and a large vintage map of the surrounding area. There was even enough room for two extra-large suitcases filled with vintage products we had just purchased in Lyon and Beaune.
Bedroom
The bedroom has a king-size bed and two comforters, as well as a few throws, which we didn’t use because it was September and still very warm. There was an open, built-in closet with enough space for both of us to completely unpack.
The sitting area
The sitting area had ample seating, coffee tables, a smart TV, and some book-lined shelves separating it from the kitchen.
The kitchen
The kitchen was fully equipped with everything needed to cook and eat. It also had a small kitchen table. And yes, even though we were on vacation and in France, we did cook one or two meals on the days we were working and not exploring. But fresh chocolate croissants from the local bakery were on the menu for breakfast every morning!
The outdoor pool area
Just off the private terrace, where we had breakfast every morning, is the pool. It’s a good-sized pool measuring 15 X 3 meters. The deck is wooden, as are the lounges, which have very comfortable cushions. Laying by the pool in the Provence sun and surrounded by oak trees, olive trees, and lavender fields is likely the most relaxed I’ve ever been in my life. It was such a great place to spend an afternoon.
Chamaret, France
Maison Achard & Fils is located in the small commune of Chamaret, which had a total population of 520 in 2020. Chamaret is in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France. It is basically a one-street town with a post office, a bakery, and a farm stand (open seasonally and a few times per week).
Grignon, France
About three kilometers away is the charming little town of Grignon, where there are a few stores, restaurants, gelato shops, an ancient castle, and an old church at the top of the hill. It’s a bit of a hike, but the views from the top are stunning, and they give you a 360-degree view of the surrounding area. It’s such a beautiful place, especially at sunset.
What’s the best way to get to the south of France
You have a few choices when planning a trip to the south of France, specifically Provence. You can fly from Paris or other European cities into Marseille and rent a car. You can take the TGV train from Paris to Avignon and rent a car at there. They have Hertz, Avis, and many other car rental companies at the train station. Or you can rent a car in Paris and drive, which is what we usually do. We always stop in Lyon and Beaune and buy vintage products to fill our online shop. If we didn’t do that, we’d take the train to Avignon and then rent a car. The train is such a lovely way to travel throughout Europe. It’s especially nice after an overnight flight to Paris. You can relax and watch the country go by.
Our favorite quaint villages and best places to explore in Provence
Some of the most beautiful villages are only an hour to an hour and a half drive from Chamaret – an ideal starting point for exploring Provence. Ménerbes is the exception, and it’s about two hours away. And there is so much to see and explore along the way. The towns are all filled with history, delicious bakeries, bistros, and a Michelin-starred restaurant or two. You could also drive to the French Riviera or the Mediterranean Sea for a day trip.
Aix-en-Provence
Aix en Provence and Avignon are two of the larger towns in the Provence region. Aix en Provence is a great place to visit for a week. On a previous trip, we used it as a base to explore many of the smaller villages throughout the area. It’s such a safe area that every night late we would go out for a gelato and long walk just wandering all the cafe and store-lined streets. Once you’re off the main touristy streets, you begin to see how the locals live. A surprising number of young people live here as the outdoor cafes and plazas are packed every night – even in September.
Market days happen regularly here, but do a quick search online to ensure they have one on the day you visit.
Street parking is very difficult to find in Aix-en-Provence. However, there is a large parking garage in the center of town where we parked and walked everywhere.
Avignon
Avignon is in the heart of Provence and sits on the banks of the Rhône river. One of the things we like most about Avignon is that it is a completely walkable city. It’s surrounded by a wall, and though we didn’t do it, you can walk the circumference of the wall in about an hour – longer if you decide to venture down many of the medieval streets or get pulled into the lure of the cafe to sit down, rest, and do a little people watching.
Avignon is also home to the Palais des Papes (Pope’s Palace), one of France’s 10 most visited monuments. In the 14th century, it was both a fortress and a palace and the seat of Western Christianity.
Bonnieux
Bonnieux is centered in the heart of the Luberon and is one of the most famous villages in Provence. If you saw the movie “A Good Year,” you might enjoy visiting Bonniuex and seeing the estate where it was filmed. The house is a private residence now, but you can get a glimpse of it as you wander through the vineyards and gardens that are accessible to the public.
Bonnieux and Lacoste face each other, sitting at the top of hills, and are often referred to as the twin brothers. So if you’re planning a visit to one, you might as well see both. And the roads winding up to the hilltops are quite scenic. When at the top of both villages, you have incredible views of the entire Luberon Valley, where cedar trees, pine forests, and vineyards fill the countryside.
Lacoste
As far back as the 15th century, artists flocked to Lacoste because of what they called “the purity of light.” The summer light in all of Provence is striking. It’s no wonder that so many famous artists, like Paul Cézanne, Vincent Van Gogh, and many more, completed some of their most famous works here.
Lacoste is a perfectly restored village where you can wander the narrow walkways up and down throughout the entire village. It was home to the French art school, Lacoste School of Arts. However, in the early 2000s, as enrollments dramatically dropped, they approached Savannah College of Art and Design to help restore the campus, and SCAD took over. Now, SCAD has a study abroad program for both graduates and undergraduates. You can see the school’s influence throughout the entire village.
Cucuron
In addition to its rich history, one of the main attractions is the Bassin de l’Étang. It’s a small rectangular basin that used to supply water to the flour mill. However, it’s now the village centre surrounded by small restaurants, bistros, and gelaterias. It’s around this basin that a scene in the movie A Good Year was filmed. It’s the scene where Russell Crow and Marion Cotillard were watching a vintage black-and-white movie with a live orchestra, and it started to rain.
On the day we visited, we discovered La Petite Maison Cucuron, a Michelin-starred restaurant and tried to get in. Unfortunately, we were about 10 minutes late and they had just stopped seating people for lunch. I’m sure it’s an excellent restaurant. Knowing we were just past prime lunchtime, we began a desperate last-minute search for a place to eat and were lucky enough to be the last people seated at Restaurant Le Cercle de Cucuron. We had one of the nicest meals of our entire trip here. Sometimes the best things are fortunate accidents.
After a leisurely lunch, we took the opportunity to walk the streets, visit the small shops, and see some of the beautifully restored homes.
Ménerbes
The small village of Ménerbes is built on top of a rocky outcrop that overlooks the entire Luberon. It has a stunning view of the surrounding countryside and vineyards. Everywhere you looked, there was greenery.
This was our last stop on a day of exploring the small villages, and we were looking for a place to sit down and relax for a bit. In our search for a nice spot, we first stumbled into a magazine and newspaper shop/cafe and were a bit skeptical. That is until we walked through the store and onto a beautiful terrace overlooking the vineyards below. We decided to sit down, enjoy the view, and have a drink. It’s now one of my favorite moments of the trip. I couldn’t think of a better place to relax for a few minutes and have a drink. It’s one of the loveliest villages in Provence.
Saint Rémy de Provence
Saint Rémy is a little larger than most of the other small villages we explored. It’s most known for its open-air market and deep connection to Vincent Van Gogh. The village inspired some of Van Gogh’s most celebrated works. If you’re interested, there is a free Van Gogh walking tour.
What I enjoyed most was the open-air market in Saint Remy. You could sample different foods—cheeses, hot food, cold food, or bakery items. You could buy honey, olive oil, herbs, and spices from the Provence region to bring home. I bought about a pound of lavender to bring back with me. I still have some left, and I keep it in my office. I love the smell, and it always reminds me of our exploring around Provence and southern France in general.
The Local Markets of Provence
The local markets happen in almost all of the cities, towns, or villages throughout France. It’s really one of the best ways to experience the local cultures of these similar yet very diverse regions of the country. You may even find a few things you’ll want to bring home with you.
Debra says
i will be going on a girls trip to France…we plan on attending the antique markets..,can you give some suggestions, ideas best ones to visit, places to stay,,,,we are not dealers just retired friends fulfilling a dream to go to the antique flea markets in Paris.
thank you
annie diamond says
Hi Debra! Will you be going only to Paris? Paris has several flea markets with the largest and most famous being the Paul Bert Serpette in Saint-Ouen. Here is a post: https://mostlovelythings.com/best-flea-markets-in-france/
If you plan to do a day trip, Lyon has a wonderful flea market. On Saturdays in the summer months, Beaune is even closer, has a market with a flea market right in the town and you can walk from the train station.
Are you on Instagram? I follow several accounts that list Pairs flea markets every week. Let me know and I can send you a few that I follow.
Have an amazing girls trip to France! What fun!
xo
Annie