MAISON MARIANNE
Goult-Provence
MAIN HOUSE: LR DR/KIT DBR/SH/WC Bunk Alcove /SH/WC DBL Sofa Bed Dining Terrace Courtyard/Well Tel DW WM Roof Terrace/Summer Kitchen
GUEST HOUSE: KIT/DR DBR+ SH/WC BBQ Courtyard/Roman Bath
Maison Marianne sits smack on the main pedestrian street in one of the most authentic and charming villages of the famous Luberon Valley. Goult is home to 1200 busy locals, and it supports a surprising array of services, including the always-active Café de la Poste, two butchers, an award winning epicerie, a busy bakery, and three restaurants (one rates two Michelin stars). There is a post office, library, two doctors and a little Maison de Village tourist office.
Sporting types might try the soccer field, the tennis courts..or take a rest at the Friday night outdoor films. Hikers can be seen headed for the Terraces du Luberon, a marvelous area approached from the windmill. It’s bories and terraced olive groves and typical vegetation catch the attention of enthusiasts of outdoor life. Several bicycle tour companies route their clients through Goult in season.
All of these attractions and services are just outside the door of Maison Marianne yet further exploration will bring travelers to Gordes, Roussillon, Bonnieux, LaCoste and Menerbes: none is more than a ten minute drive from Goult.
Maison Marianne has its origins as the ancient post house for Goult. The owner has restored it completely with an eye to keeping to the authentic materials and building customs of Provence. Thick walls provide natural sound insulation and keep the house cool on summer days. The house develops on four floors. The garage is entered from the street (a laundry room is on the left) and the entry to the house is at the rear of the garage. French doors at the back of the garage open onto a courtyard with a protected well and steps up to the dining terrace. From the entry there are interior steps as well, leading to the main floor with a large open plan dining room-kitchen combination. Beautiful wood furnishings provide a nice dining table and chairs, commode and buffet for storage. There is also a little marble table seating two in the kitchen area—perfect for a morning coffee or food preparation. The kitchen wall has a working counter-level fireplace for grilling, four burner stove top with three gas and one electric burner, and a large built in oven. There is a dishwasher, double sinks and a full size refrigerator. There is a shower bathroom that includes sink and WC. In the rear of the house a tiny enclosed alcove has comfortable bunkbeds suitable for the children of the family. The main floor of Maison Marianne has cotto tiled floors and the original high ceilings with typical Provencal beams. Everything gleams in the sunshine that comes through the French doors. Outside a large terrace with teak dining furniture and a wrought iron railing provide a wonderful setting for lingering meals under starry skies. This terrace is above the courtyard that leads to and overlooks the guest house, mentioned later.
Steps from the kitchen lead up to an open and very large living room that has a working fireplace and several leather sofas and chairs in a conversation grouping. The Swedish owner has kept this room airy and simple, though over by the alcove nook (writing table and telephone connection for your laptop) there is a “clic-clac” which is a sofa that opens into a comfortable double bed.
Steps up to the final floor. Here is a lovely antique bedroom with ensuite shower/WC/sink. From here the lucky occupants can say goodnight to the moon on the roof terrace: fantastic views over the village rooftops to the southern Luberon hills. The roof terrace’s summer kitchen gives a chance to sneak a morning coffee in privacy, too!
In addition to this main house, the owner has built a small guest house behind the first courtyard. It has a small kitchen with dining table. The second floor has a double bed and an additional bed suitable for a child. There is a shower/WC/sink as well. This separate accommodation makes Maison Marianne a perfect choice for couples having a holiday together but wanting some privacy.
Behind
the guest house is another, smaller courtyard with a traditional little dining
table and two chairs, a barbecue and a 15 meter square Roman bath. It appears to
be a Jacuzzi but is, rather, a small tiled pool with built-in bench seats.
The water is agitated Jacuzzi style but does not have the jets spouts. It can be heated in cooler months. The Roman bath is enclosed on three sides and has a tiled roof, so it is a welcome haven from the sun and a great place to cool off after a hard day of touring.
Though you are permitted to drive to Maison Marianne to unload groceries and your luggage, parking is in the main square of Goult, about thirty meters from the house. Guarded parking is provided next to the boules court around the corner, one hundred meters from the house.
Maison Marianne, in sum, is a perfect retreat for couples traveling together. Village life lures the early riser to forage for a baguette or sneak a look at the newspaper while sipping a coffee at the Café. Others can roll over and catch a few extra winks!
Normally we prefer to understate the benefits of a rental (it is good to have surprises when you arrive at a vacation place), but in this case we find it appropriate to say that this is a house of high quality for discriminating guests who appreciate and care for valuable contents. We want this owner to be especially pleased with her venture into letting her cherished second home, so that others may enjoy it in future as well.
Goult is in the heart of the Luberon Valley, 32 miles east of Avignon. Local touring is within easy reach, and includes more touristic villages such as Gordes, Roussillon, Menerbes and Bonnieux, none further than a ten minute drive; each offering attractions and charming local markets. Within a half hour one can access the A7 autoroute at Cavaillon and visit Arles, Aix en Provence, Marseille or the seaside, nice day trips to add to your itinerary. Avignon TGV, within a three hour ride of Paris, is a 40 minute drive.
On Sunday you can start your week at the teeming Isle sur la Sorgue market, with its antique shops lining the main street. Marseille Airport: 45 minutes, Nice Airport is 150 miles, or a two hour drive by Autoroute.
Weekly
Rates 2003 Starting Saturdays
$+
Terms
of rental: Deposit: 30% on booking,
final payment and $500 security deposit due 8 weeks prior to arrival. Damages,
telephone charges and excessive cleaning fees will be deducted from the security
deposit.
Central
in-floor heating extra. Pool heating available for an extra charge. Travel
insurance is advised to protect any losses due to cancellation, money is
non-refundable within 8 weeks of travel unless a replacement is found by the
guest. Linens, and utilities included. Please
provide your own beach towels. Maison Marianne is suitable for two couples or
six persons including two children.
REF: MN1