Situated in an idyllic rural setting, overlooking lavender fields in the foothills of Haute Provence, this beautifully restored 17th century farm is in a superb rural setting with outstanding views over the dramatic foothills of the Lure Mountains. The property consists of the French owners’ cottage, a converted windmill, a restored pigeonnier and two apartments in the farmhouse. The interiors are charming with beautiful local materials creating a colourful and cheerful atmosphere. This is a truly delightful property in an exceptional location.

The farmhouse has a lovely interior courtyard with gas barbecue, pizza oven and dining area for the use of both apartments. Each apartment also has its own private terrace for outdoor dining. Rochegiron is on the first floor.

First floor only: Open-plan living room, prettily furnished with dining furniture, comfortable seating and TV. The ceiling is low, 140cm, at one end of the room. Kitchen area with hob, oven, microwave, dishwasher and electric coffee maker. Double bedroom (140cm), and triple with double bed, (120cm), and single bed (100cm). Shower-room and separate WC. Heating. Communal washing machine in an outbuilding.

Outdoors: The properties share the pool but the owners are only there some of the time. Sun loungers, ping-pong table, boules, swings, multi-gym machine, sand pit,

Notes: Cot, high chair, baby bath and stair gate are available on request. Bike hire (12€/day) for cycling on the quiet country lanes. Heating 40€ per week when necessary.

The properties are situated just outside La Rochegiron, northeast of Apt and northwest of Manosque and 4k from the beautiful fortified village of Banon, which has good food shops, a street market on Tuesday mornings and a superb bookshop, Le Bleuet. It also has a couple of very good inexpensive restaurants, we particularly like l Le Café des Voyageurs with its excellent set menu. If you enjoy walking, you could plan your day around lunch in Banon! The sleepy village of Saumane is also 4k. It has a restaurant, La Bergerie with simple home cooking, and a friendly café-bar with large shady terrace. Forcalquier, about 25k, is a pleasant town with an extensive street market on Mondays, a large supermarket and a good choice of restaurants and small shops. This is an ‘undiscovered’ part of Provence and there are many old villages to explore. A good example is Simaine-la-Rotonde, a beautiful spiralling medieval village with winding streets and a covered market place. Another village nearby is Le Contadour where Jean Giono, the French author and pacifist, set up a summer commune in the 1930s to celebrate peace, ecology and the return to nature. Another possible day trip might be to one of three large lakes: the Lac Serre Ponçon, Lac Sainte Croix and Lac d’Esparron. These all have beached areas for swimming and most watersports are available. Other activities available in the area include hang-gliding and hot-air ballooning.

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