Moulin Pissarro

About this property

Located in an authentic Provençal village on the edge of Les Alpilles, close to the artistic town of Arles, Moulin Pissarro was once an olive oil mill dating back to the 18th century. It has recently been wonderfully restored into a beautiful residence with a large swimming pool within its walled garden, just a stroll away from delightful restaurants and shops.

You can still appreciate the heritage of the limestone mill on the ground floor of the moulin which has been transformed into a vast hall with vaulted ceilings for playing table tennis, volleyball and pétanque, or for dining with family and friends in charming surroundings, including the original press. Upstairs, you can relax in the lounge or on the mezzanine with views over the Alpilles, cook in the spacious kitchen and play snooker in the elegant oval games room, alongside three comfortable bedrooms.

The second part of this abode is just as attractive with a spacious lounge and fireplace, large dining table and second fully-equipped kitchen. There are three further bedrooms here - one ground floor twin with its own bathroom and two master en suite bedrooms upstairs.

Indeed, sleeping up to 10 adults and 4 children, the layout of Moulin Pissarro allows guests the opportunity to seek privacy when needed with welcoming lounges and different kitchens, yet you can also come together to feast on delicious Provençal produce or simply enjoy a glass of wine in the dappled shade of the walled garden with its magnolia, cypress and olive trees. The swimming pool is simply gorgeous, heated in the summer months and just perfect for cooling off after a long day out exploring.

Wander down the lane and within minutes you will be in the heart of the bustling village with its ancient houses made from centuries-old quarry stone, characterful cinema, café terraces and restaurants. Just south of the village, climb the hill to admire the glorious views from the Moulin de Daudet and be inspired by the landscapes so loved by the famous French author, Alphonse Daudet. Keen walkers can discover beautiful trails from the village to the Roman aqueduct or Abbey of Montmajour, and it is also possible to arrange bike hire.

Passing olive groves so typical of the valley, visit picture-perfect villages including Les Baux-de-Provence and Maussane-les-Alpilles, both under 10km away, and historic towns and cities from Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and Tarascon to Avignon and Nîmes.

Best of all, you are only 10km from Van Gogh’s beloved Arles, a must for art enthusiasts, history lovers and Francophiles wishing to soak up the town’s heritage and charm as you come across art galleries, photography exhibitions, vibrant markets and gastronomic restaurants as well as Arles’ incredible Roman amphitheatre.

Moulin Pissarro is a former olive mill in an old Provençal village on the edge of Les Alpilles, only 10km from historic Arles, the gateway to the Camargue. The nearest airports are Nîmes (34km), Avignon (36km) and Marseille (69km) whilst fast train services from Paris and Lille arrive into Gare d’Avignon TGV (28km).

Set within a walled garden, just stroll down the lane and you will soon find yourself in the heart of the bustling village with its restaurants and cafes. There is a good-sized supermarket just over 500m away for all your groceries as well as smaller shops in the village including a boulangerie for fresh bread and pastries.

A car is strongly recommended to be able to explore the surrounding region but bike hire can be arranged in the village and there are some glorious walks, including Le Sentier des Moulins. Just to the south of the village, visit Le Moulin de Daudet and hike through the olive trees, oaks and pine forests as you admire the landscapes that inspired the French author, Alphonse Daudet.

Check to see if the Vélorail des Alpilles is operating during your stay – a great way to experience typical Provençal scenery as you pedal your open vehicle along old railway tracks passing the impressive Abbaye de Montmajour and other inspiring landscapes.

Arles (10km) is a must for art and history lovers alike whether you wish to visit its art exhibitions, annual photography festival, Roman colosseum and amphitheatre or simply follow the town’s Van Gogh trail which includes Place du Forum where the Dutch artist painted ‘Café Terrace at Night’. There are of course many excellent places to dine and the wonderful open-air market takes place on a Saturday morning.

Heading instead towards the heart of Les Alpilles, come across picture-perfect villages such as Maussane-les-Alpilles (8km) and Les Baux-de-Provence (9km), both surrounded by endless olive groves and beautiful woodland. Artistic Saint-Rémy-de-Provence (18km) hosts a delightful market on a Wednesday market whilst there are plenty of opportunities to sample some of France’s finest olive oil in local farms as well as cheeses, honey, charcuterie and even wine from nearby vineyards. There are several high-end gastronomic restaurants, some with Michelin stars, dotted across the towns, villages and countryside of Les Alpilles.  

Other fantastic days out include a trip to historic Avignon (32km) or Nîmes (38km) whilst the mesmerising Camargue is also within easy reach for horse-riding, bird-watching, safari tours and so many more outdoor adventures.

Accommodation

Main House Interiors

Ground Floor

-    Lounge with fireplace
-    Living and dining area with table for 12-14 guests
-    Kitchen, fully-equipped
-    Bedroom with twin beds (90cm each) and bathroom with shower and WC

First Floor

-    Master suite with double bed (180cm), lounge with TV and bathroom with double shower, WC and dressing area
-    Master bedroom with double bed, TV and bathroom with shower, bath and WC

Moulin Interiors

Open Ground Floor

-    Former olive press, now a large open space (150m2) for table tennis, volleyball, pétanque and dining. Features old machinery from 18th century

First Floor

-    Lounge with TV
-    Kitchen, fully-equipped
-    Oval room with full-size snooker table
-    Master bedroom with double bed (180cm) and bathroom with shower, bath and WC
-    Bedroom with twin beds (90cm each)
-    Bedroom with quad bunk-beds
-    Bathroom with shower and WC

Outside Grounds

-    Heated swimming pool (12x5m) with hard safety cover. Heated approximately May to October
-    Pool house, shower and toilet
-    Al-fresco dining table
-    Barbecue and plancha
-    Volleyball net
-    Pétanque set
-    Walled garden (1600m2)
-    Garage (two cars)

Facilities

-    Wi-Fi
-    Air-conditioning (first-floor bedrooms only)
-    Heating
-    Fireplace
-    Snooker table
-    Table tennis
-    Board games
-    Volleyball, pétanque set and other games
-    Washing machine X2
-    Tumble dryer X2