Villa Des Ocres

About this property

Close to the authentic village of Rustrel and the incredible landscapes of Colorado Provençal, this artistic home is a unique and inspiring getaway in a great location for hiking, tree-top adventures and sight-seeing in the Luberon region of Provence.

At Villa Des Ocres guests can appreciate the Provençal charm of the villa’s wood-beamed ceilings and thick stone walls keeping the home cool in the summer and warm in spring/autumn. Indeed, the house has been extensively renovated in recent years and the result is a traditional and welcoming French home with striking modern interiors.

Bold works of art adorn the walls whilst contemporary furnishings, fixtures and fittings add to the eclectic yet comfortable style. The cosy lounge and impressive kitchen-diner all open out to the main terrace allowing for long and lazy days cooling off in the swimming pool and enjoying al-fresco meals prepared in the brilliantly equipped kitchen.

This unique yet inviting home welcomes 8 guests. On the main floor there are two double bedrooms and two attractive bathrooms alongside a reading area with a sofa-bed. Upstairs beneath the eaves there is another double, a twin and a gorgeous bathroom with a freestanding tub. The mezzanine also has a useful office space with fast Wi-Fi, good to know if you need to work at all during your stay.

Despite being in the heart of the Luberon, the surroundings do not feel remote - the house is set in a quartier/neighbourhood with a handful of other holiday rentals, a seasonal pizzeria (Wednesday to Sunday), campsite and tree-top adventure centre. The most energetic could even walk to Rustrel around 2km away with its traditional café-restaurants, small grocery store, olive oil mill and 17th century château.  

It is just a short drive to the stunning scenery of Colorado Provençal, a former ochre quarry and a site of extraordinary beauty with its array of colours and shapes. Follow marked walking and hiking trails through the outstanding landscapes – the GR7 hiking route also passes through.

Elsewhere, admire vineyards, cherry orchards, lavender fields and forest as you drive to Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt, Roussillon, Gordes and Bonnieux, all picture-perfect hilltop villages. What’s more, soak up the Saturday morning ambience of the region’s largest market in Apt and bring home olives, strawberries, wine, cherries, melons, figs, herbs and so many other seasonal delights of the Luberon.

Villa Des Ocres is in the Luberon region of Provence close to the village of Rustrel and the incredible landscapes of the Colorado Provençal. Both Marseille and Avignon airports are around a 90-minute drive away, as is Gare d’Avignon TGV with direct arrivals from Lille and Paris.

The villa is semi-detached and located in a small neighbourhood of villas/gîtes/chambre d'hôtes etc within walking distance to a seasonal pizzeria (open five days a week), campsite and tree-top adventure centre. Guests could also walk to the heart of Rustel (2km, no pavement) in around 30 minutes, an authentic working village with a handful of cafes-restaurants, a small grocery store, a wonderful boulangerie, an olive oil mill and a beautiful 17th century château. You can also hire bikes here. 

To the south of the village is the stunning scenery of the Colorado Provençal (3km), a former ochre quarry showcasing such wonderful shapes and colours – this is a true gem of the Luberon. The marked hikes through the unique landscapes are amazing (if staying in the height of the summer be aware that access can occasionally be forbidden in case of forest fires). The GR6 hiking trail passes through Rustrel and Colorado Provençal.

Within half an hour is red-hued Roussillon (19km), one of the Luberon’s iconic perched villages and classified as a ‘Plus Beau Village’ alongside Ménerbes (33km), Gordes (26km) and Bonnieux (27km).  Another gorgeous village even closer is Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt (10km), famed for its vineyards and cherry orchards – don’t miss the lovely Tuesday morning market here.

The handsome town of Apt (11km) is also close by. Visit on a Saturday to experience the region’s largest market showcasing a wealth of delights from the Luberon and beyond including candied fruit, strawberries, melons, garlic, tomatoes, cherries, wine, olives, lavender products, fabrics, clothes and so much more.

If staying when the lavender is in bloom (usually late June to early August) then venture north to the lavender farms and distilleries near Sault (31km) or look out for picture-perfect lavender fields around Simiane la Rotonde (16km) and Sénanque Abbey (32km) near Gordes.

Accommodation

Mas Interiors

Main Entrance Level

-    Partially open-plan living room with decorative fireplace (not in use) and doors leading to the terrace
-    Open-plan kitchen, fully-equipped, with doors leading to the terrace
-    Open-plan dining area with doors leading to the terrace
-    Bedroom with double bed
-    Bedroom with double bed
-    Reading room with double sofa-bed
-    2 x shower rooms

Loft Level (with sloping ceilings)

-    Mezzanine level with office space
-    Children’s play room
-    Bedroom with double bed
-    Bedroom with two single beds (90x200cm each)
-    Bathroom

Outside Grounds

-    Swimming pool (8.5x4.5m)
-    Covered terrace for al-fresco dining
-    Garden
-    Parking