Mas Mayeaux

About this property

Welcome to charme en Provence, where privacy and tranquility are combined with incredible convenience. At this beautiful 5600-square-metre (1.4 acre) private estate on the banks of the river l'Ouvèze, you’re just a few minutes’ walk away from the centre of the enchanting Provençal village of Vaison la Romaine, along quiet country lanes.

This family home comprises a main house and an annex  just a few steps from one another, and set back 50 meters from the small road beside the river. The main house, a 200-sqm traditional Provençal stone mas, comfortably sleeps up to 8 guests, and the smaller 100-sqm annex house comfortably sleeps a further 4 people in two bedrooms.

Both houses have their own patio areas, with splendid views of the chateau across the river to the west and towards Mont Ventoux to the east. The private pool terrace is a beautiful paved area with sun loungers, surrounded by fragrant lavender bushes and pink oleanders, and overlooked by an atmospheric outdoor dining and activity area. Here, you can play petanque or ping pong, dine al fresco, or just relax in the hammock or on one of the loungers. From these garden areas guests can take in unobstructed views of the hilltop medieval castle that sits high atop the opposite bank of the river l'Ouvèze.

Just a few hundred metres down the river lies the historic Roman bridge, and at a similar distance you’ll also find the ancient hilltop medieval city, along with two major Roman antiquities sites right in the centre of town. Also in the centre of Vaison la Romaine you’ll find the pedestrian shopping streets and the main square, with a great selection of shops, cafes and restaurants, where you can relax and take in the atmosphere of Provence. 

The latest generation steel-look windows give the villa a sleeker profile, while providing more light and the highest level of energy efficiency.

Vaison la Romaine is steeped in history, surrounded by vineyards and teeming with hiking and biking routes in the area. The Mont Ventoux, made famous by the Tour de France, is visible from the property and is only 10km away, providing challenging cycling routes and breath-taking views from the Mediterranean to the Alps. Find out why renowned travel journalist, Alastair Campbell, loves this region so much and has been holidaying here for the past 30 years, over on Telegraph Travel.

The pedestrian shopping streets, with the Marché Provençal on Tuesdays, are a short walk away, as are a multitude of charming cafes and restaurants. In the Cité Mediéval, just across the Roman Bridge, you’ll find historic houses, a church, and castle ruins at the top of the village, which also boasts many delightful art galleries, shops and restaurants.

Vaison’s rich past will enchant those who love historical places, as masterly showcased in the open-air antiquity sites in the town centre. If it’s entertainment you want, then take in a concert or dance performance at the Théatre Antique (outdoor Roman Theatre). And, for shopping and dining, Vaison boasts all modern amenities, including cafes, restaurants, shops, bakeries, supermarkets and just about anything else you could possibly need during your stay.

The region is a wine aficionado’s paradise, with delectable local Cote du Rhone varietals from Vaison and the charming surrounding villages, such as Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas, along with Sablon, Roaix, Cairanne, Rasteau, Baume de Venise and Vacqueyras. All of these villages of the same name as their wines are close by and well worth visiting for a tasting!

Other activities in the area include an adventure park, Oxygene, just down the road (750m), hiking and biking routes in the surrounding hills (500m), horses (3km), rock climbing (14km), water parks (15km-17km), a river walk (Promenade dans le Toulourenc, 13km), canoeing under the Pont du Gard (1 hour away), a cultural visit to the Papal Palace in Avignon (45 minutes away) and Mediterranean beaches near Marseilles and the Camargues (1-1/4 hours away). The Seve Ballesteros-designed Pont Royal Golf course is an hour's drive away, as is Provence Country Club, while there is a 9-hole course in Orange, 30-minutes away.

Vaison is easily accessible from the main N-S A7 Autoroute du Soleil, just a 30-minute drive east. It’s 45 minutes from Avignon and the nearest TGV station, an hour from the airport at Nimes, and 1-1/4 hours to the Marseilles airport.

Accommodation

1) Main House + Annexe (max pax: 12)
2) Main House Only (max pax: 8)
Main House Interior
The picturesque main house is a classic Provençal stone structure, with thick walls to keep it cool in the summer and comfortably accommodates up to 8 people. The interior has been completely renovated yet retains a charming and homely ambience, with an open plan living, dining and country-style kitchen area on the ground floor. It features 4 bedrooms (3 on the ground floor and a  master bedroom with en-suite bathroom upstairs, with a great view of the medieval castle!) and 3 bathrooms (2 on the ground floor). All beds have very comfortable, high quality mattresses. There is also a library with billiards.

The huge outdoor patio/terrace directly accessible from the living/dining/kitchen area is ideal for relaxing in the sun or dining al fresco and taking in the lovely views.
Annexe House (max. pax: 4)

The adjacent smaller annexe house has a spacious loft-style open-plan kitchen-dining-living area, 2 bedrooms, a large bathroom, and a separate WC. It comfortably accommodates 4 guests. It opens onto a small terrace with views of the Mont Ventoux in the distance and the hills just across the river.
Outside Grounds

The totally enclosed private property comprises 5600 sqm of garden with oak, olive, fig, lavender, kaki, mulberry and other lovely trees and plants. The pool area features beautiful natural stone tiles providing ample space to relax on the loungers, surrounded by fragrant lavender and colourful pink oleander bushes and with views to medieval castle. There is also an outdoor dining and activity area overlooking the pool and a gas barbecue.
The heated swimming pool (4m x 8m, depth: 0.6m – 1.8m) with alarm system, uses a modern salt ionization system, making the water silky smooth and is open approximately May to end-September. 
There is also ample outdoor parking for three vehicles at the top of the private drive.
Little Sustainability Gems About the Property
The property is installing energy efficient windows in early 2020. The air conditioning system uses a heat pump for energy efficiency. Built in the early 1950's out of the local stone (Pierre de Vaison) in classic style, in a historic listed area of town.