Cheval Blanc Mas Farmhouse with Pool, Rooms to Let for rent
17th century farmhouse in Luberon mountains in Cheval Blanc Provence France

Holiday in the south of France at Mas Pomona, a refurbished 17th century farmhouse, set amid the apple orchards of the Lubéron National Park at Cheval Blanc. Relax in five spacious en suite double bedrooms, two with their own terraces. Laze in the sunshine by the 15 metre swimming pool. Sample Provencal cuisine at the village's two restaurants. Use as a base for outings to Avignon, Aix, St Remy the Alpilles and the Carmargue and the countless lovely hill villages, including Gordes, Rousillon, Menerbes, Bonnieux and Lourmarin. Hike or bike in the mountains, fish along the Sorgues river, play tennis in the village and golf at plenty of fine local courses.
Cheval Blanc is a small village in the “Potager de France” surrounded by orchards and overlooked by the Luberon mountains. The village has two restaurants, takeaway pizza, two bars, a mini-market, a grocers and three bakers. There is a friendly tennis club with two courts, plus a fishing lake.

Avignon (30mins) is a beautiful mediaeval city with the Palais de Papes, university, numerous cafes and restaurants, and its famous unfinished bridge. In the summer months it has a festival which has become a very cosmopolitan affair with scores of street artists and activity.<br>Aix en Provence (45 mins) is a delightfully sophisticated university town. Sit beneath the plane trees on the Cours Mirabeau and simply watch the world go by or walk through the hustle and bustle of the cobbled streets of the ancient centre. There are many art galleries and various exhibitions.<br>St Remy de Provence (45 mins) at the foot of the Alpilles mountains is a charming small town made famous by Princess Caroline of Monaco. It is full of good shopping with a hectic street life. The roman ruins at Glanum are on the outskirts.

Les Baux de Provence (50 mins) on the other side if the Alpilles to St Remy is amazingly beautiful. One of the roads leading to it through the Val d’Enfer is credited with being the inspiration for Dante’s Inferno. The village has been inhabited since prehistoric times and is well worth a visit. There are numerous restaurants and two which have big reputations, Oustau de la Baumaniere and Cabro d’Or. Below Les Baux is Maussane les Alpilles a pretty village frequented by French media stars, Charles Aznavour and Terence Conran have properties here.

Isle sur la Sorgue (20mins) The Venice of France as the Sorgue river runs round it and through it. It is said to be the antique centre of France with over 400 permanent antique dealers plus a huge antique/brocante fair every Sunday. It attracts antique buyres from all over the world, tho Peter Mayle said “The only thing you can’t get in Isle sur la Sorgue is a bargain”. It has several bistros and many excellent restaurants.

There are many excellent golf courses in the area, the jewel in the crown being Pont Royal (15 mins) designed by Seve Ballesteros. There are two in Avignon, le Grand being the better of the two, one at Isle sur le Sorgue, a delightful nine hole at Les Baux, and close by another fine course at Mouries. There is also a good course close to the airport at Nimes which boasts a small chateau as a club house. <br>Tee times can be reserved for those wishing to play.
There are also many music festivals during the summer months some of which are at fabulous venues like the Chateau de Maquis de Sade and the Abbaye de Silvacane.<br>There are three distinct wine growing areas in the region. Cotes du Luberon appellation covers some 3500 hectares. Production comprises 70% reds the remainder being whites and roses. Cotes du Ventoux slightly smaller area 80% red and 15 % roses. Finally one hours drive to the north brings you to the Cotes du Rhone with villages like Chateauneuf du Pape and Gigondas, a huge area with some of the finest wines of France. It is of course both possible and pleasurable to buy the wines directly from the producers/cooperatives.