Portes de Provence Montelimar

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House |4 bedrooms |Sleeps 8

Montelimar in Rhone/French Alps

from £228 / night

£1595–£1995 / weekBookable online

This property can be booked securely online within a few minutes. Just click on the ‘Check availability and book’ button.

Short stays welcome

Changeover flexible

5 out of 5

7 reviews | Write a review

Key info  Swimming pool, air conditioning, balcony/terrace, car not necessary, private garden, may take pets - please enquire

Check availability and book

About the home

A large, detached Maison Bourgeoise-style villa situated within just a few minutes walking distance of Montelimar, a lively market town with excellent night-life including high-class restaurants, bars and cafes.The house and gardens have been sensitively refurbished and modernised in recent years (including new swimming pool).

All rooms are of substantial size with high quality, comfortable furnishings.The enclosed gardens are spacious and provide a safe place for younger children to play, or for adults to practice their skills at Boules. The attic room - with separate TV, CD player, single beds and "hang-out" area - will be attractive to teenagers who enjoy their own "space".

An ideal location for exploring the beautiful Drome valley and the more rugged Ardeche hills by car or bicycle (a Saab convertible is available and ladies and gents bicycles are provided at no charge). A beautifully manicured 18-hole golf course is just a 5-minute drive away (2 sets of golf clubs and one chariot provided at no charge).

As this luxury residence is situated so close to the centre of Montelimar, visitors of all ages can choose from a range of evening entertainment (live music, cinema, bars, regular arts festivals, etc.). More mature 'teenagers' (age 21+) might like to try one of the local nite-clubs (for example, l' Hacienda Club - very sophisticated apparently - a short taxi-ride from the house).

However, if relaxing is your preference, then just lounging by the private pool in the summer sun, reading a book and sipping a chilled cocktail during the day will probably be your choice. A fully-equipped BBQ and al-fresco dining area within the sensitively floodlit gardens, under the evening stars and with the sound of the cicades all round, provides a very appealing evening experience.

Being somewhat off the main UK tourists' trail, Montelimar allows you to experience the 'real' France while also offering sophisticated shops and contemporary restaurants. The local market is held twice a week (Saturday's is the best one).

An ideal base for a summer holiday, a winter golf break, for keen photographers, or for wine buffs....

Facilities

Further details indoors:
* Saab convertible car available for use
* All rooms are spacious
* Original flooring throughout
* Large working fireplaces x 2
* Excellent kitchen/dining room
* Central heating and Air conditioning
* Large cellar space for storage (including wine!)
* Modern appliances throughout
* TV (x2) + selection of DVDs
* CDs - selection available
* Board games provided (Cluedo, Scrabble, Monopoly, etc)
* Boules provided
* Books - a large and varied selection of books provided
* Large attic space for teenagers to hang out
* Toddlers travel cot, buggy and chair seat
* 2 sets of golf clubs (left and right-handed) available
* ladies and gents bicycles provided

Further details outdoors:
Excellent for cycling (Drome/Ardeche), kayaking (Ardeche Gorges) and golf (5 minutes); for lovers of wine (Cotes de Rhone Villages) and food (Montelimar has restaurants to suit all tastes); and for those who enjoy exploring ancient hilltop villages or just walking through lavender fields (June/July).

* Automatic entrance gates
* Lots of parking space
* Car (Saab Convertible) available
* Gardens and pool professionally managed
* Sensitive outdoor lighting around trees and scrubs
* Purpose-built barbecue area
* Private, floodlit pool area with automatic safety cover
* Sun trap area around pool, with sun-loungers and a variety of pool chairs
* Outdoor, floodlit al-fresco dining area (with table and 8 chairs)
* Front verandah (ideal for aperitifs)
* Bicycles (2 men's, 2 ladies), 2 x golf clubs (1 right + 1 left-handed) + 1 x golf trolley available
* Logs for fire (and axe) on site

Conditions

* Although we have ample space for more, we would prefer to limit all bookings to 6 adults.
* Smoking outdoors only
* Property is not suitable for Hen/Stag breaks
* Steps to front door - property may not suit elderly people
* 25% of rental fee is due 6 weeks before your stay
* Refundable breakages deposit £500 required on arrival; to be refunded within 2 weeks of your departure (subject to satisfactory property inspection and less charge for cleaning and check-in/out - £150)

Photos

 

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55, Avenue d'Espoulette

 

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Lavender field nearby

 

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Barbecue dining area

 

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Pool at night

The Rhone / French Alps / Drome region

Also known as Drome Provençal, the area around Montelimar is blessed with the weather of the Cote d'Azur while enjoying the influence of the food "gastronomique" of Lyon (Montelimar is also France's most famous producer of Nougat). Rich is history, with ruined and restored castles perched on its many hill-tops, and with beautiful villages linked together by a network of quiet roads (ideal for cyclists), Drome Provençal presents the newcomer with an experience of France that has come straight out of the tourist guides - but without noisy tourists.

Summers are hot and dry (with the occasional spectacular electric storm) while the dry windy winters make the front-room log fire such an alluring place.

The rugged hills of the Ardeche with its spectacular gorges - all just a short drive away - provide a fascinating contrast with the rolling valleys of the Drome. To the south, while Avignon is always worth a visit (too crowded if you ask me!), the Roman aqueduct near Nimes (Pont du Gard) the beautiful town of Arles and Vincent van Gogh's St Remy de Provence, are amongst the places you should take time out to see. I particularly recommend the 'wine route' which will take you to Gigondas, Vacqueyras and Chateauneuf du Pape - each town worth a visit - where you can sample wines before buying.

This part of France has everything. Recent editions of French Property News included the following:

"The southern Ardeche and the southern Drome are truly magnificent, generous and seductive, stretching either side of the Rhone river just north of Langedoc and Provence respectively." (Sept 2008).

"The southern Drome is even more beautiful than the southern Ardeche. The quality of its produce is excellent, going from Cotes du Rhone and Coteaux de Tricastin wines to top-class olives, apricots, cherries lavender and truffles." (Sept 2008).

The Montelimar area

If you enjoy golf (10 minutes), cycling (Tour de France 2007 overnighted in Montelimar), kayaking (Gorges de l'Ardeche) or just sightseeing (quiet villages, lavender fields), then Montelimar (population 33,000) has something for you.

"With more than its fair share of mountains, lakes and rivers, the Rhone-Alps is unsurpassed for the range of sports and outdoor activities on offer including skiing, hiking, mountain biking, paragliding and canoeing. The vineyards, lavender fields and olive groves to the south are ideal for cycling and other pursuits." French Property News (Jan 2009)

"Montelimar has been changing for the better at a rate of knots. The centre feels vibrant, and pedestrians have priority in the spruced-up streets and squares. the shops are enticing, going far beyond the nougat places for which the town is famous across France." French Property News (Sept 2008)

"Montelimar is known as the gateway to the south (Portes de Provence)... It's a very Provençal town, with cafe terraces and pedestrianised streets in the old town, and plenty of good shops." French Property News (Nov 2008)

How to get there

Portes de Provence Montelimar What's nearby: Attractions Restaurants Click map icons for more information

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By Air:
1. Fly to Lyon St Exupery Airport by BA or EasyJet; take train from airport to Montelimar (50 minutes)
2. Fly to Marseille Airport by Ryanair; hire car or take train to Montelimar
3. Fly to Nimes; hire car or take train to Montelimar

By Rail:
1. Eurostar London/Paris; transfer by Metro to Gare de Lyon (2 stops); TGV via Lyon St Exupery airport direct to Montelimar
2. Eurostar London/Paris; transfer by Metro to Gare de Lyon (2 stops); TGV via Lyon Part Dieu; take connecting train to Montelimar (80 minutes)
3. Eurostar/TGV direct to Avignon; hire car or take connecting train to Montelimar

By Road:
1. 860kms from Calais - motorway all the way.

Activities near Montelimar

Reviews

Review: 1 to 3 of 7

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11 Dec 2012

“ticked every box and much more, simply wonderful” A lovely house that felt much more like a cherished home. Excellent convenient location for exploring the beautiful surrounding countryside and close to town to wonder in for a little shopping or,... more

02 Oct 2012

“Home from home” Brian the owner provides a very personal and professional customer service. All of our email questions and phone calls received an immediate and well informed reply. The house is decorated and furnished to a very high standard and the kitchen/cooking facilities are second to none. It was particulalry pleasing to find small items such as tea bags, coffee, sugar, oils, spices and all cooking ingredients were readily available. We really did feel that we were staying in a friend's house which gave us an immediate sense of calm and familiarity. There is a small parade of food stores a short 3 minute walk from the house where we bought croissant and fresh bread each day, a wonderful cheese store, butchers and fresh fish and the most wonderful fresh vegetable and fresh fruit store that also sells high quality locally produced wine. The golf course and restaurant is well worth a visit, as is Pont d'Arc, the Gorges de l'Ardeche and the beautiful town of Chateauneuf du Pape. One of the many benefits of staying in this typically French house is that the location provides something for everyone. You can walk into town, take one of the several cycles and explore the French countryside, play a bit of golf or simply enjoy the fine food and wine. La belle vie!

12 Sep 2012

“Everything supplied for a comfortable stay” The house is absolutely beautiful - the photos don't do it justice- and very well equipped. The large and fully-enclosed garden was a great bonus as we had our small dog travelling with us. What really made for a great stay however was the focus on comfort ie antique bedsteads but very comfortable new mattresses ensuring a good sleep, and the thoughtfulness of the welcome - access to the car and fully maintained bikes, as well as ample towels, loo rolls, kitchen towel, washing powder etc and loads of games, cds and dvds. Little things that make a big difference to the overall experience! We loved the area and barely scratched the surface of it in a week - would like to return.

Review: 1 to 3 of 7

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Review: 4 to 6 of 7

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31 Aug 2012

“Great place to stay for doing lots.” We've recently returned from two weeks in Portes de Provence and had a whale of a time. The owner - Brian - is a very easy person to deal with and very helpful. His communication before... more

30 Oct 2011

“"Beyond my expectations, Great Location, Definitely will be back"” We stayed in this magnificent property early last month and used it as a base to take some memorable photographs and to play some holiday golf. The House is very sizable and is perfect for 3 or 4 couples or a large family. The way the House is designed it is possible for each person / couple to have their own space. It provides good value for money and has its own small pool and substantial garden. There is a barbeque and an excellent kitchen so we spent many glorious evenings eating outdoors and enjoying the warm nights and the privacy which the house provides. Local Shops and supermarkets are very close and it was a joy to collect our fresh fruit and bread daily. The town is a ten minute walk and there is an excellent array of shops bars and restaurants. However, we found that because the house was so comfortable, we tended to want enjoy it and did not venture out to as many restaurants as we had expected. Every second day, we set off on the bikes with our cameras and took some great shots of the surrounding countryside which enabled us to capture the ambience and character of central France. There is an excellent golf club – Domaine de la Valdaine within a 10 minute drive from the house. The golf course is well set out and provides a good challenge to the holiday golfer; this course is not as busy as the typical Spanish / Portuguese courses so we had some very relaxing rounds. The course has great practice facilities and a wonderful restaurant. Puygiron is a hilltop hamlet 5 miles from Montelimar. You can see the town of Montboucher from the golf course, while the Drome Valley and Ardeche Hills must be explored by those who want to see the fields of heather, sunflowers, vines and many other crops when in season. A twenty minute drive takes you to the village of La Garde Adhemar which has a beautiful square, a quaint walled herb garden and the church of Romane St. Michel. Slightly further afield is the town of Arles where Van Gogh spent some time; Chateauneuf du Pape and of course Avignon which is just 50 miles away. All in all, we had a wonderful time and we will definitely be back and we only managed to take in a fraction of what the region has to offer.

22 Sep 2011

“Lovely old house, great location, close to local town, and high quality golf club.” This was a beautiful old charming house with all modern conveniences. Modern kitchen, new swimming pool, beautiful outside dining area, comfortable living area with four bedrooms and further sleeping area in the attic. Functional storage area in basement. The house is located about 10 minutes walk to the local town which is very french. Lots of interesting little streets, nice restaurants and some pubs. There is one high quality golf club a short 10 minute drive from the house. A fair but challenging course very enjoyable to play. Overall a lovely place to stay.

Review: 4 to 6 of 7

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Review: 7 to 7 of 7

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16 Aug 2011

“Perfect location for sightseeing,sunbathing,tasting the real France!” We had previously stayed in rural parts of France,so were slightly anxious about staying in a town. No need!. The house was spacious,comfortable and peaceful.We are a family with 3 children aged 3 years to 13 years. Everyone loved the pool. The older ones and adults loved the short walk into town to shop,especially on market days. The even shorter walk to nearby breadshops, fish shop,cheese shop,outstanding grocers and carrefour was a vast improvement on previous holidays,when we had wasted nearly half a day traveling to complete each food shop! We enjoyed visits to the gorges of the Ardeche,dipped our toes in the Mediterannean South of the Camargue region, delighted in seeing wild flamingoes here also!,Shopping and sightseeing in Avignon,(yes,we sang the song on the bridge!), and Arles.We also managed to see a stage of the Tour de France VERY close up! Thank you for the use of this very special property. So much left for us to do,that we hope to return soon.

Review: 7 to 7 of 7

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Rental prices

Prices for group size 8
Period	From	To	Weekly	Nightly rate		Minimum  stay
				Weekday	Weekend
Low Season Golf	18 Feb 12	31 Mar 12	1495£ 1495	-	-	1 Week
Easter	31 Mar 12	14 Apr 12	1995£ 1995	-	-	1 Week
Spring	14 Apr 12	2 Jun 12	1495£ 1495	-	-	1 Week
Lavender	2 Jun 12	23 Jun 12	1595£ 1595	-	-	1 Week
High Season	23 Jun 12	7 Sep 12	1995£ 1995	-	-	1 Week
Golf	6 Oct 12	13 Oct 12	1495£ 1495	-	-	1 Week
Low season Golf	13 Oct 12	15 Dec 12	1495£ 1495	-	-	1 Week
Christmas log fires	15 Dec 12	5 Jan 13	1995£ 1995	-	-	1 Week
Early Season	5 Jan 13	23 Mar 13	1495£ 1495	-	-	1 Week
Easter	23 Mar 13	6 Apr 13	1995£ 1995	-	-	1 Week
Spring	6 Apr 13	1 Jun 13	1595£ 1595	-	-	1 Week
Lavender	1 Jun 13	29 Jun 13	1795£ 1795	-	-	1 Week
Summer	29 Jun 13	7 Sep 13	1995£ 1995	-	-	1 Week

The property's weekend rates apply to: Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights

NB: Prices may be subject to change at the advertiser's discretion.

The cleaning and handover costs will be deducted from the deposit. These normally come to a total of GBP150.

Availability

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