Guests have had exceptional experiences at Villa Des Ocres, praising its fantastic facilities, including a well-equipped outdoor kitchen and a blend of sunny and shadowy spaces. The property's cleanliness and the stunning views are consistently highlighted. Its unique location in a tranquil nature reserve adds to the charm, and the personal touches in decor are appreciated. The host's availability and helpfulness contribute to a memorable stay.
Reviewers unanimously mention the cleanliness of the property, describing it as 'really clean' and contributing positively to their overall experience.
The villa's location in a nature reserve and in the heart of the Luberon is highly praised for its tranquillity and beauty, making it a unique and desirable aspect of the property.
Guests describe the villa as a comfortable 'home' with personalised touches and a mix of contemporary and old art, indicating a high level of comfort.
The facilities are described as complete and stunning, especially the outdoor kitchen. The availability of various amenities like dishes, glasses, and coffee makers suggests excellent facilities and maintenance.
The host's thoughtfulness is evident through the provision of a detailed miniguide and a gift of a drawing. However, it should be noted that such personal gestures may vary and are not guaranteed.
Close to the authentic village of Rustrel and the incredible landscapes of Colorado Provençal, this artistic home is a unique and inspiring getaway in a great location for hiking, tree-top adventures and sight-seeing in the Luberon region of Provence.
At Villa Des Ocres guests can appreciate the Provençal charm of the villa’s wood-beamed ceilings and thick stone walls keeping the home cool in the summer and warm in spring/autumn. Indeed, the house has been extensively renovated in recent years and the result is a traditional and welcoming French home with striking modern interiors.
Bold works of art adorn the walls whilst contemporary furnishings, fixtures and fittings add to the eclectic yet comfortable style. The cosy lounge and impressive kitchen-diner all open out to the main terrace allowing for long and lazy days cooling off in the swimming pool and enjoying al-fresco meals prepared in the brilliantly equipped kitchen.
This unique yet inviting home welcomes 8 guests. On the main floor there are two double bedrooms and two attractive bathrooms alongside a reading area with a sofa-bed. Upstairs beneath the eaves there is another double, a twin and a gorgeous bathroom with a freestanding tub. The mezzanine also has a useful office space with fast Wi-Fi, good to know if you need to work at all during your stay.
Despite being in the heart of the Luberon, the surroundings do not feel remote - the house is set in a quartier/neighbourhood with a handful of other holiday rentals, a seasonal pizzeria (Wednesday to Sunday), campsite and tree-top adventure centre. The most energetic could even walk to Rustrel around 2km away with its traditional café-restaurants, small grocery store, olive oil mill and 17th century château.
It is just a short drive to the stunning scenery of Colorado Provençal, a former ochre quarry and a site of extraordinary beauty with its array of colours and shapes. Follow marked walking and hiking trails through the outstanding landscapes – the GR7 hiking route also passes through.
Elsewhere, admire vineyards, cherry orchards, lavender fields and forest as you drive to Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt, Roussillon, Gordes and Bonnieux, all picture-perfect hilltop villages. What’s more, soak up the Saturday morning ambience of the region’s largest market in Apt and bring home olives, strawberries, wine, cherries, melons, figs, herbs and so many other seasonal delights of the Luberon.
Villa Des Ocres is in the Luberon region of Provence close to the village of Rustrel and the incredible landscapes of the Colorado Provençal. Both Marseille and Avignon airports are around a 90-minute drive away, as is Gare d’Avignon TGV with direct arrivals from Lille and Paris.
The villa is semi-detached and located in a small neighbourhood of villas/gîtes/chambre d'hôtes etc within walking distance to a seasonal pizzeria (open five days a week), campsite and tree-top adventure centre. Guests could also walk to the heart of Rustel (2km, no pavement) in around 30 minutes, an authentic working village with a handful of cafes-restaurants, a small grocery store, a wonderful boulangerie, an olive oil mill and a beautiful 17th century château. You can also hire bikes here.
To the south of the village is the stunning scenery of the Colorado Provençal (3km), a former ochre quarry showcasing such wonderful shapes and colours – this is a true gem of the Luberon. The marked hikes through the unique landscapes are amazing (if staying in the height of the summer be aware that access can occasionally be forbidden in case of forest fires). The GR6 hiking trail passes through Rustrel and Colorado Provençal.
Within half an hour is red-hued Roussillon (19km), one of the Luberon’s iconic perched villages and classified as a ‘Plus Beau Village’ alongside Ménerbes (33km), Gordes (26km) and Bonnieux (27km). Another gorgeous village even closer is Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt (10km), famed for its vineyards and cherry orchards – don’t miss the lovely Tuesday morning market here.
The handsome town of Apt (11km) is also close by. Visit on a Saturday to experience the region’s largest market showcasing a wealth of delights from the Luberon and beyond including candied fruit, strawberries, melons, garlic, tomatoes, cherries, wine, olives, lavender products, fabrics, clothes and so much more.
If staying when the lavender is in bloom (usually late June to early August) then venture north to the lavender farms and distilleries near Sault (31km) or look out for picture-perfect lavender fields around Simiane la Rotonde (16km) and Sénanque Abbey (32km) near Gordes.
Mas Interiors
Main Entrance Level
- Partially open-plan living room with decorative fireplace (not in use) and doors leading to the terrace
- Open-plan kitchen, fully-equipped, with doors leading to the terrace
- Open-plan dining area with doors leading to the terrace
- Bedroom with double bed
- Bedroom with double bed
- Reading room with double sofa-bed
- 2 x shower rooms
Loft Level (with sloping ceilings)
- Mezzanine level with office space
- Children’s play room
- Bedroom with double bed
- Bedroom with two single beds (90x200cm each)
- Bathroom
Outside Grounds
- Swimming pool (8.5x4.5m)
- Covered terrace for al-fresco dining
- Garden
- Parking
Annette
Our stay was great, the house is really fantastic, with a lot of shadowy and sunny spaces. The outdoor kitchen is a stunning place. Equipment is really complete, from really a lot of dishes, glasses, different coffee makers, to little things like - really enough kitchen towels, product for the dishwasher etc etc. The owner Helene is extremely available and helpful, friendly, sympathetic - in one word great. The house and the whole place around is really clean .... Flabbergasting view. Everything amazingly great.
Annette
Our stay was great, the house is really fantastic, with a lot of shadowy and sunny spaces. The outdoor kitchen is a stunning place. Equipment is really complete, from really a lot of dishes, glasses, different coffee makers, to little things like - really enough kitchen towels, product for the dishwasher etc etc. The owner Helene is extremely available and helpful, friendly, sympathetic - in one word great. The house and the whole place around is really clean .... Flabbergasting view. Everything amazingly great.
Anna & Uli
We had such a wonderful time at Villa Des Ocres. It was not clear to us that the house is located in a nature reserve in the middle of the forest. The calm there was really indescribable. Cecile has put so much love in every corner of the house - it is so lovingly furnished and nothing is missing. We are also big design fans like Cecile, so we felt so comfortable and didn't want to go home anymore. We really enjoyed the time. We liked Provence so much - it's so beautiful there. Thank you as well for your Miniguide - we used it a lot and it includes many great tips and advices! Your booking process was uncomplicated and perfectly organized - we would book with you again at any time and would be happy to recommend you. Thank you so much for making our stay in Provence so great and unforgettable.
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