La Roque

A seriously seductive and peaceful spot: a handsome house in large grounds with olive groves, mulberry-shaded areas for outdoor living, and a heated saltwater pool. It’s on the edge of a small village (with excellent restaurant) and has fabulous views all around: Mont Ventoux to the north, Malemort and Venasque to the south. There are good walks and cycling from the door – you don’t have to tackle Mont Ventoux; food and antique markets, vineyards and Roman towns to visit. English owners know the area inside out and provide excellent info. Their tasteful renovation of the house has a Provençale-meets-English country house feel, in more and less formal spaces: beamed ceilings, apparent stone walls, an open fire; Peter Jones beds, family furniture, portraits and botanical prints. And there’s a fabulous, conservatory-style, real cook’s kitchen with a painted, rustic dining table. Bathrooms are bright and modern; bedrooms simply stylish and spacious, in restful colours – one’s lofty, up steep wooden stairs. The separate master suite has its own stairway and enviable roof terrace. Kindly Hubert greets guests and tends the garden.