Provence Properties

Seductive Gordes

The medieval village of Gordes has been voted time and again as one of the most beautiful villages of Provence, and for good reason.  It is a perfect example of a fortified, perched village, beautifully restored and maintained with a maze of cobbled streets, stone walls, and all the seductive charms that Provence has to offer.  The beige stone used throughout the village literally glows at sunrise and sunset.

I had the recent pleasure of visiting Gordes a few weeks ago.  My friend and I had just finished a sumptuous lunch of fresh pasta drizzled in a creamy truffle wine sauce, and a demi-pitcher of red wine in the neighboring village of Rousillon.  After taking some photos and exploring the village, we decided to venture over to Gordes for a coffee.  Many of the shops and restaurants are closed this time of year which makes the village even more inviting.  We managed to find an open cafe tucked in a little nook off one of the side streets.  Upon entering we were delighted to feel the warmth of the room and smell the various aromas brewing at the bar.  The cafe was full with a mid afternoon crowd of locals. I noticed a distinct energy and warmth in the air even though the weather outside was cool and drizzly. This village, even on a gray spring day was vibrating with life and was daring me to explore it's mysteries.  I can easily say I plan to return another day to continue discovering this wonderful piece of paradise. 

Gordes is truly a "don't miss" village any time of year.  A few specific occassions to note: Tuesday is market day, July and August offer summer festivals in Jazz, Theatre, and Classical Music.  There is also a Cotes du Ventoux wine festival the second weekend in July. 

Feel free to contact me for more infomation. If you're interested in staying in Gordes,  Provence Properties offers a luxurious 2 bedroom/2 bath house in Gordes June-September only, that would be the ideal hideaway for 2 or 4 people.

Renting a House in Provence vs. Hotel

I recently discussed this topic at length with the owner of a travel agency. His experiences were showing that clients were gravitating toward private rental homes in lieu of the all inclusive resort or hotel. I personally prefer this type of accommodation and am happy to see the pendulum swinging in this direction.   The idea of the all-inclusive, where you share space, food, drink, and activities with hundreds of other tourists has lost its luster, unless you’re a college student on Spring Break. More and more travelers want to have control and options during their well deserved holiday.

Experiencing life among the locals when visiting a different culture, instead of being surrounded by tourists, has always been reason enough for me to choose this option. But also, renting a home gives you the freedom to enjoy your vacation at your own pace, and space in which to enjoy. Languish on your private terrace reading, sipping a glass of wine, or enjoying conversation. Take a dip in your private pool any time of day or night.  Prepare your meals at your convenience, or have someone come in and prepare them for you! You control all your options. 

Economically speaking, renting a home can be more cost effective than a hotel.  Having a fully stocked kitchen at your disposal will certainly save the need for going out every night, unless of course, you’d like to. On one visit to Provence,  for example, I shopped  the daily markets, getting my fill of fresh seasonal produce, fresh fish, meats, breads, olives and cheeses, and of course the irresistible French wine, and was able to comfortably eat and drink for 2 weeks on less than $300.  This certainly may not be for everyone, but, it can be and that’s the idea I want to convey.  You can design your trip to be as luxurious or as thrifty as you choose.

Provence Properties, a rental home business specializing only in

Southern France

, goes an extra step to ensure its clients are well prepared and comfortable with their rental home.  With each rental, the client receives not just the key to the house, but they also receive a list of frequently asked questions, tips for traveling in the area, a sample itinerary with ideas of places to go and sights to visit, a market schedule for those wishing to visit the daily markets, and a full sized Michelin map of the region.  For those guests with particular interests, Provence Properties can be a valuable resource in helping you plan your ideal adventure. If you are interested in antiques for example, let us know and we’ll inform you of flea markets and antique sales in the area. We can also connect you with chefs, wine experts, babysitters, mountain bikes, rental cars, tips on airline travel and more.

I’m convinced this is the best way to savor every moment of your visit to this beautiful part of the world.  Don’t hesitate to contact us for more information. Air

France

has not yet jumped on board the airline price hikes, so there’s still some good fares for this summer.