Just a short drive from the hilltop-village of Le Castellet you’ll find beautiful Mas des Avelines – a stunning luxury farmhouse awash in Provençal charm and about as relaxing a “haven” in the South of France as you can get. Surrounded by the natural wonders that the region is famous for – vineyards, centuries-old olive trees and sunshine as far as the eye can see, the Mas has been immaculately restored to provide all the comforts of modern-living while preserving the charm of old-world Provence.
I was lucky enough to be invited to spend the afternoon at Mas des Avelines and was treated to a gourmet lunch by one of the Mas’ personal chefs who is made available to guests when they book an exclusive “Escape Week” (please see Escapes at Olives and Vines for details).
She made a selection of dishes using the freshest ingredients of the season – each more delicious than the next. We started with a gorgeous late-summer gazpacho topped with all the fixing, then feasted on slow-roasted herb chicken with a heaping pea and potato salad. All gloriously washed down with generous glasses of Minuty rosé (my favorite!).
We finished with a beautifully arranged selection of cheeses and fruits and a no bake deep-chocolate brownie that I could have grabbed handfuls of if I’d been on my own!
Besides our lovely lunch in the Provençal sunshine, I was given a tour of the house by its charming owner, Su, who has taken so much care in the design and creation of each room that you can feel her love for the region in each carefully-crafted detail.
The Mas has five rooms, which can be booked individually or you have the option to reserve the entirety of the house which makes it particularly attractive for families, couples’ getaways, or special celebrations. The five rooms each have a name / theme which reflect the region and Su’s Provençal flare. You are guaranteed to find your “bonheur” (happiness) in one of the Fig, Pomegranate, Olive, Nectarine, or Lavender rooms.
Beyond relaxing the day away in the farmhouse itself, Mas des Avelines features a spectacular garden and heated, saltwater pool with a lounge area and outdoor fireplace. Along with numerous fruit trees, the property boasts 80 olive trees – two of which are dated at over 800 years old. There’s also a children’s play area, beach volleyball / badminton court, and an outdoor pizza oven.
My favorite aspect of the Mas, apart from its inherent beauty, is the amount of activities that you can take advantage of onsite. Apart from relaxing the day away alongside the pool or play areas, if you book an Escape Week you can take advantage of specialized courses like yoga, pilates, cookery classes, painting, and golf / tennis lessons with a professional instructor. To find out more about these activities, and other “escapes” offered by Mas des Avelines, please visit their site, Escapes at Olives and Vines.
At the moment, the Mas des Avelines is offering a special for the holiday season. The house is available for an exclusive 10-night stay, starting on Friday 23rd December & sleeps up to 10 people. This includes breakfasts on 8 days, housekeeping on 8 days, Egyptian cotton sheets, luxury bath towels, bathrobes, toiletries, holiday tax & a departure clean. Oo la lahhh!
Please visit their site to reserve and you can also keep up with all of their activities (and delicious B&B offerings!) on their Facebook and Twitter pages. Not to mention the gorgeous Provençal snaps they’re sharing on Instagram!
Many, many thanks to Su and her team for an exceptional day in a Provençal “dream” setting!
Belle Provence Travels 