The Perfect, Most Charming Place to Stay in Provence, France

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. 

There are a lot of quaint villages and 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

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