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Marine Apartment, near Forcalquier

timeless Provençal landscapes

The famous lavender fields of Provence

The apartment:

• 1 mezzanine-level double bedroom incorporating 2 small beds for children (sleeps up to 4) • bathroom • open-plan kitchen, dining & living area • well-equipped kitchen with oven, 4-ring hob, fridge-freezer, washing machine, dishwasher & microwave • own garden area

Activities/facilities available:

• walking (notes included) • bike hire 6km away • horse riding 6km away • table tennis • star-gazing at St Michel l’Observatoire, 15km away • nearest restaurant & shops 6km

> Prices & travel

The wonderful café culture of France

Famed for its cicadas and cork oaks, for lavender fields and villages of red-tiled houses, it would seem that Provence was made for leisurely exploration. Its special beauty has been recognised for centuries - indeed, the Romans loved it so much that they called it Provincia (‘The Province’).

Gently rolling hills stretch towards the blue-tinted Luberon and Lure Massifs lining the horizon, while medieval villages, the Roman town of Aix-en-Provence and natural wonders such as the spectacular Verdon Gorge vie for your attention on a holiday on which no two days need be the same.

Medieval hilltop Forcalquier

Typical of the region is medieval Forcalquier, a bustling town with plenty going on - not least a superb market every Monday - and a handful of restaurants and cafés, plus a bicycle hire shop, in the twisting cobbled streets. Beyond the town lies countryside which beckons you to explore either on foot or by bicycle and which rewards your efforts with wide-open views. To help you make the most of your time away, we suggest three gentle (grade 1-2) walking routes in the local area, the first of which starts directly from the apartment (the other two are a short drive away):

Hill-top Lurs (10km, 4h): walk eastwards across pastoral landscapes to the beautiful hill-top village of Lurs, which has a ruined castle and a pretty belltower, not to mention sweeping views of the broad valley of the River Durance.
Notre Dame de Salagon (12km, 4h): this varied circuit skirts the lake to the west of Forcalquier, leading through light woodland of oaks, as well as delightful sections of wilderness, before returning via the medieval gardens and priory church of Notre Dame de Salagon (pay locally if you choose to visit).
Romantic Ruins (11km, 4h or 18km, 5h): starting and finishing in the sleepy village of Reillanne, this walk leads down panoramic paths to the romantic ruins of the 12th-century Carluc Priory, a lovely spot for a leisurely picnic. To extend the walk, you could return via the exquisite and very panoramic hill-top village of Montjustin.

The delightful and peaceful Marine Apartment

In the midst of all this nestles the sleepy hamlet of Pierrerue and the Marine Apartment - a fittingly idyllic retreat affording inspirational vistas across this evocative landscape. You can even see the Alps from the apartment’s tranquil garden on a clear day. The charmingly decorated interior, containing original features such as wooden beams and exposed stonework, is full of character.

The living area

You may find yourselves choosing to dine at your hosts’ guesthouse next door (we include one meal). Bruno and Eric are effusive hosts who go out of their way to ensure that your holiday is a memorable one. They can even arrange visits to local producers of honey, lavender, olive oil and goat’s cheese for a taste of authentic Provence.

The light and airy dining room in the guesthouse next door

Prices & travel 2009:

Self-drive includes: P&O Ferries Dover-Calais
Driving time from Calais: 10h
Property & hire car includes: 7 days' category B car hire (eg Opel Corsa)
Recommended airports: Marseille & Avignon
Driving time from airports: 1h30
Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you
Start: Saturday

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