General Description
Villa 'La Jonche' is nestled on a private 4-hectare estate comprising a landscaped garden, a small vineyard, an olive grove, fields, woodlands, and a canal. Constructed with natural stone around the remnants of an ancient silkworm breeding farm in the locality of La Jonche, near the medieval town of Mollans-sur-Ouvèze.
The villa is accessed through the small vineyard (part of the property) located at the entrance, adding to its secluded nature, further shielding it and providing a cocoon-like environment for its guests. One of the villa's distinctive features is the tranquility of its surroundings, only interrupted by the soothing sounds of the surrounding river ('Le Toulourenc') and the canal that traverses it.
In this home, you are at the heart of Provence Drôme. Just 20 minutes away from Nyons, Grignan, Vaison-la-Romaine, or the Ardèche Gorges, you find yourself amidst castles, vineyards, and lavender fields. Whether you enjoy ancient stones, natural sites, Provençal markets, fine wines, gastronomy, long hikes, climbing, fishing, paragliding, or cycling, you'll have thousands of potential discoveries to make.
This spacious villa, close to the famous towns of Vaison-la-Romaine, Buis-les-Baronnies, Nyons, Avignon, Orange, and Montélimar, is set on 4 hectares of land surrounded by a river, woodlands, and olive trees where tenants can leisurely stroll. A small canal runs through the property, adding to its particular charm.
Comfortable and well-equipped, it's the ideal base for a large family or group of friends to enjoy: swimming pool, petanque court, space for ball games (football, etc.), table tennis, billiards, foosball, a library with hundreds of books, well-furnished, Bluetooth-connected stereo system.
A welcoming swimming pool with south-facing terraces and a view of the river is the perfect spot for relaxation. Take a stroll through the forest or picnic by the river, or indulge in a game of foosball or billiards in this spacious vacation home, or play petanque or table tennis outdoors. The charming town of Vaison-la-Romaine with its famous Roman ruins is just 15 km away, and those of Avignon and Orange are 45 minutes away. Food enthusiasts will find many delights in local restaurants specializing in seasonal dishes, including mushrooms, truffles, olive oil, and, of course, the region's great wines (Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Vacqueyras, Rasteau, Gigondas…).
The villa owners directly interact with potential tenants and take pride in providing impeccable services through staff managing guest arrivals, departures, and stays, always on hand to promptly address their expectations and needs during their stay.
Accommodation and Outdoor Facilities
INDOORS
The villa blends the charm of an old Provencal house with all its modern amenities and comfort in the tranquility and beauty of an exceptional estate punctuated by the continuous soothing sounds of the surrounding river and canal. The size of the property and the diversity of its corners offer visitors numerous places where they can individually or as a group lounge, relax, read... "away from the feverish crowd" as writer Jane Austen would put it. Although the villa is secluded and peaceful, it's only a few minutes' drive or bike ride from 2 villages (where tennis courts can be rented, for example) and just 20 minutes' drive from the famous town of Vaison-la-Romaine. We would like to add that guests will find various leisure activities available in and around the villa for both children and teenagers as well as adults (petanque court, sufficiently large area for ball games, table tennis, billiards table, foosball, well-stocked library).
On the ground floor: Dining room with French doors. Kitchen. Living room with fireplace. Two bedrooms each with a 140cm bed, one with additional bunk beds (for children and teenagers). Bathroom with bathtub, basin. Separate toilet.
First floor: Living room with a library stocked with hundreds of books. Bedroom with a 180cm bed and a bathroom with bathtub, shower cubicle, and basin. Separate toilet. Bedroom with a 140cm bed and an adjoining shower room/toilet with shower. Large balcony.
OUTDOORS
4-hectare property including a 1-hectare landscaped garden adjacent to meadows, a river, and a canal (not protected - children should be supervised), a meadow, and woodlands altogether forming a diverse private estate of 4 hectares.
Two large terraces * Oxygenated swimming pool (10m x 5m, depth 0.5m to 1.6m), heating available at extra cost * Electric heating (extra charge) * Large fireplace * Washing machine * Dryer * Dishwasher * Microwave * Fridge/freezer * Satellite TV * DVD player * CD/stereo system * Folding baby cot * High chair * On-site parking (caravans not accepted unless previously agreed upon at the time of booking) * Billiards * Bonzini foosball table * Barbecue * Bed linens, pillowcases, and towels for rent * Additional cleaning service
Location: 3km from Mollans-sur-Ouvèze (supermarket, bakery, cafes, restaurants), 3km from Entrechaux (supermarket, bakery, cafes, restaurants), 15km from Vaison-la-Romaine (Roman ruins, all amenities), 46km from St. Paul-les-Trois-Châteaux (gourmet restaurants, beautiful Provencal town with its market), 52km from Pierrelatte (crocodile park), 57km from Avignon (historic city, Papal Palace, museums, daily market).
Guest Access
Guests have access, of course, to the entire 4-hectare property, including various bathing spots and potential picnic areas along the crystal-clear river that runs through it.
Other Things to Note
Guests will receive, shortly before their arrival, contact details (phone numbers and email addresses) of the staff (gardener, house manager - particularly customer service-oriented) who will handle any potential issues that may arise during their stay. Guests will also receive the owners' contact details (easily reachable via WhatsApp messages and emails). The villa owners directly interact with potential tenants and take pride in providing impeccable services through staff managing guest arrivals, departures, and stays, always on hand to promptly address their expectations and needs during their stay.
Renowned towns a couple of hours away
Bonnieux
Bonnieux is a small village in Luberon, interestingly located atop a hill, approximately 10 km from Lourmarin, 12 km from Apt, and 14 km from Gordes. It is worth a visit due to the beautiful views available from the hill, the cedar forest, and the many pleasant cafes and restaurants.
Cavaillon
For most French people, Cavaillon means melons above all! Here, it is the king of the market, and the merchants will show you how to choose them. After touring through this market teeming with local produce, aside from the star melon, you will realize that the farmland outside the city is rich and bountiful.
But Cavaillon has other attributes to boast of apart from melon! The green St. Jacques's Hill in the heart of the city offers a magnificent view of the city itself, extending all the way to the plains of Apt, the Lubéron, and the Alpilles.
Cavaillon boasts a rich cultural heritage, which one can discover while strolling through the old city. Besides the pretty little streets and flower-decorated squares, there is the most beautiful synagogue in Europe (18th century) and its museum, a twelfth-century cathedral and cloister, a first-century Roman arch, and many lovely old houses.
Nîmes
In Roman times, Nîmes was one of the richest towns of Gaul, being an important outpost of the Roman Empire.
It is famous for its many Roman remains, most of which are in excellent preservation. These include the vast Arena of Nîmes, a double-tiered amphitheatre dating back to circa 70 A.D., still in use for concerts and bullfights. Probably built in the 1st century and able to seat 24,000, it is an ellipse of 135 by 100 meters, standing 21 meters high. There are also other well-preserved Roman monuments such as the Pont du Gard tri-level aqueduct and the Maison Carrée, a white limestone Roman temple both around 2,000 years old.
Other attractions
Lavender fields and cicadas
Lavender, together with cicadas, is a symbol of Provence. Similar to Japan which we associate with blooming cherry trees, we immediately link the Provence with purple blooming lavender fields.
It is however not so simple to find them! Most frequently you can find lavender fields on the plateaus of Provence or in mountain valleys - protected from the wind. To fully enjoy its blooming, you should visit Provence at the end of June or in the second half of July. Specific place where the lavender grows, is for example, the Abbey of Senanque near Gordes.
Love them or loathe them, you can't escape cicadas, or cigales as they're known locally, if you come to Provence in high summer. Highly complex creatures, both zoologically and mythically, cicadas have fascinated cultures through the millenia. Some liken them to raucous layabouts who sing and idle the summer away while others see them as exuberant beings who understand how to seize the moment and make the very most of life!
There are about 2,500 species of cicada around the world and 15 or 16 in Provence. Some species can live for up to 17 years; Provençal cicadas live for four years, all but a few weeks of which are spent underground in the form of grubs.
Other attractions
Lavender fields and cicadas
Lavender, together with cicadas, is a symbol of Provence. Similar to Japan which we associate with blooming cherry trees, we immediately link the Provence with purple blooming lavender fields.
It is however not so simple to find them! Most frequently you can find lavender fields on the plateaus of Provence or in mountain valleys - protected from the wind. To fully enjoy its blooming, you should visit Provence at the end of June or in the second half of July.
