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 delightful 17th century windmill has recently been beautifully restored with an exquisite interior where every detail has been carefully thought about, with top quality local materials, stone walls and exposed beamed ceilings.

Ground floor:  Occupied by a round kitchen, with hob, oven, fridge, dishwasher, electric coffee maker, small dining table and chairs. A stone stairway with beautiful wrought iron banister leads to

First floor:  Double bedroom with TV, en-suite shower, and separate WC. The bedroom is south-facing and has a large window with wonderful views, great for star gazing in the dark nights! Communal washing machine in an outbuilding.

Outdoors: Garden furniture. The properties share the pool but the owners are only there some of the time. Sun loungers, table tennis, boules, swings, multi-gym machine, and 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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