Villa Cabernet | 4-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool in xxx Menerbes

Provence reveals itself slowly from the terrace of a luxury villa rental in Ménerbes, where eight guests settle into four bedrooms and three bathrooms across restored stone architecture that speaks of centuries past. Villa Cabernet sits on sprawling grounds 1km from this hilltop village, positioned at the heart of the Luberon region where vineyards slope toward Mont Ventoux and the horizon seems to stretch forever. The moment you arrive, the scale becomes apparent: not just a rental, but a complete countryside estate with its own vineyard, woodland paths, boules court, and a 17-metre heated swimming pool that anchors the entire outdoor experience.

Inside Villa Cabernet

Villa Cabernet sleeps 8 guests across 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, distributed between the main residence and a separate pool house situated 60 metres away. The ground floor of the main villa opens as one flowing space—living and dining areas connected by sight lines rather than walls, anchored by a working wood-burning stove that radiates warmth through stone and timber. The kitchen occupies its own section of this open plan, equipped with professional-grade appliances: built-in oven, multi-ring hob, dishwasher, integrated wine cabinet, and generous fridge-freezer. A separate laundry room contains washing machine and dryer. A ground-floor bathroom with shower, sink and independent WC provides convenience without climbing stairs.

Ascend to the first floor to find three double bedrooms, each distinct in character. The first bedroom features a 1.4-metre bed paired with garden views; the second, a 1.6-metre bed also overlooking the grounds; the third combines a 1.4-metre bed with a working desk for those who cannot entirely escape their professional lives. The first-floor bathroom impresses with architectural confidence: a walk-in shower separated from a bath fitted with spa jets, dual sinks, and a separate WC. The luxury lies in the space itself—no cramped corridors, no compromises on the daily rituals of bathing and dressing.

The separate pool house functions as a self-contained guest wing or teenage retreat. Its open-plan lounge incorporates a compact sofa-bed, while a kitchenette—equipped with cooker, fridge, dishwasher and microwave—allows semi-independent catering. A mezzanine bedroom above provides the seventh and eighth sleeping spaces, with a shower room containing shower, sink and WC. This distance from the main villa proves valuable for groups of friends or extended families who value both togetherness and privacy.

Outdoor Spaces and Living

The grounds transform the property from accommodation into an event space. The heated swimming pool measures 17 metres long by 5 metres wide, fitted with an electric safety shutter—essential when children are present—and surrounded by a substantial wooden deck lined with sun-loungers. This pool house terrace becomes the social centre from May through September: meals cooked in the pool house kitchen, wine opened as the light begins its long fade, conversation shifting between French and English as evening cools the stone.

The main villa’s south-facing terrace captures afternoon and evening light, angled perfectly for al-fresco dining with views across the vineyard. A barbecue positioned here makes grilling a ceremony rather than a chore. The boules court nestles into a flatter section of the gardens, ideal for the competitive or the leisurely—this Provençal game requires neither athletic ability nor deep concentration, making it the perfect accompaniment to aperitifs.

Beyond the terraces, the land expands into lawns, woodland areas, and a working small vineyard. An outdoor shower provides the ritualistic pleasure of rinsing off chlorine beneath open sky. These grounds feel genuinely private, screened from neighbours by trees and distance, yet filled with purpose and structure rather than wildness.

Location: Ménerbes and the Luberon Region

Ménerbes itself justifies the journey. This village of 1,100 people clings to a limestone ridge 245 metres above the valley floor, its medieval core of narrow cobbled streets and arched passages unchanged for four centuries. The Thursday morning market brings farmers and vendors to the main square, selling produce that tastes unambiguously of this soil: cherries from the orchards visible from Villa Cabernet’s terrace, goat cheese wrapped in chestnut leaves, honey in glass jars. Restaurants cluster around the market square—L’Antiquaire serves regional cuisine in a stone dining room, while Café de la Mairie operates as the social hub where locals discuss weather and wine with equal seriousness.

Peter Mayles chose this landscape for his memoir “A Year in Provence” for good reason: the light here contains something photographers never quite capture, a clarity that makes colours almost implausibly vivid. The cherry orchards visible from Villa Cabernet bloom in April, fruit ripens through June, and by July they stand as memory of spring’s promise.

Gordes lies 8km north—a village more famous and more crowded than Ménerbes, built in concentric circles around a hilltop castle, with galleries and boutiques occupying former stone houses. Bonnieux sits 9km southeast, quieter than Gordes, with a terraced layout that rewards wandering. Lacoste, 6km south, retains the ruins of a castle that once belonged to the Marquis de Sade, now operating as a venue for contemporary art installations and summer concerts.

L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, 22km west, transforms into an antique dealer’s paradise with over forty shops lining its canals—prices higher than you might find elsewhere, but the selection is genuinely comprehensive. The Sorgue River flows through the town with enough current to support canoeing upstream toward Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, 11km further, where the spring emerges from underground limestone caverns in a setting of such geological drama that it draws 500,000 visitors annually.

Apt, 28km east, hosts a Saturday morning market that locals describe as the best food market in the Luberon, with three hundred vendors selling not just produce but honey, truffle products, wines, and prepared foods. Coustellet, closer at just 8km, operates a Sunday farmers’ market and contains several farmshops where you can taste and purchase Luberon wines directly from small producers.

For those seeking cultural destinations, Avignon lies 40km northwest—a city of 90,000 with the Papal Palace (UNESCO World Heritage site), city ramparts built in the 14th century, and a Saturday morning market that sprawls across multiple squares. Saint-Rémy-de-Provence sits 38km south, where Van Gogh painted sixty canvases in a single year, and where the Roman ruins of Glanum stand beside a village of boutiques and galleries. The region offers hiking trails that connect vineyard to olive grove to medieval village; the Vaucluse has mapped over forty cycling routes ranging from leisurely valley rides to challenging climbs up Mont Ventoux.

For comprehensive destination planning, explore our Provence-Alpes travel guide, which details seasonal activities, restaurant recommendations and cultural highlights. You may also wish to review our full collection of villas in France or our wider selection of luxury villas across Europe.

Who This Villa Suits Best

Villa Cabernet accommodates groups of eight with genuine comfort—three families sharing, or three couples with friends, or a multi-generational clan with teenagers who need their own space. The separate pool house transforms it from a single property into a compound, allowing different family units to maintain their rhythms while remaining close enough for communal meals. Families with young children benefit from the heated pool with safety shutters, the boules court as a low-pressure activity, and proximity to Ménerbes’s market where children enjoy selecting coloured vegetables and tasting local sausages.

Wine enthusiasts find themselves in the centre of a working wine region; Luberon wines receive less international attention than Châteauneuf-du-Pape to the west, which means better value and fewer crowds at vineyard tastings. Friends planning a milestone celebration—turning 60, post-wedding gathering, milestone birthday—find the space, kitchen facilities, and outdoor entertaining areas precisely suited to their needs. Couples seeking romantic escape might find eight-bedroom accommodation excessive, but many book the main villa and use the pool house as a guest annex for friends joining part-way through their stay.

Practical Information

Villa Cabernet accommodates 8 guests across 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. The nearest commercial airport is Avignon-Provence (Aéroport d’Avignon), 40km southwest, requiring approximately 50 minutes’ drive to reach the villa. Nice Airport lies 150km south, approximately 2 hours 15 minutes away. Marseille-Provence Airport sits 85km southeast, around 90 minutes’ driving.

The nearest supermarket, Carrefour, operates in Coustellet 8km away, though smaller shops exist within Ménerbes itself. The property includes Wi-Fi internet, underfloor heating throughout, the wood-burning stove for ambiance during cooler months, TV and DVD player for rainy afternoons, and air conditioning in the bedrooms. Pool heating operates continuously during summer months, extending the swimming season from April through October. Standard utilities—electricity, water, gas—are included in the rental cost, as are bed linen and towels. A cleaning team can be arranged for mid-stay turnover, and a welcome grocery delivery service pre-stocks the kitchen according to your specifications.

Check-in generally occurs after 16:00, with check-out by 10:00. Flexibility may be negotiated for late arrivals or early departures, provided the villa’s housekeeping schedule permits. Pets are accepted at the owner’s discretion—advance notice is essential, as are details regarding the type and size of animals.

Frequently Asked Questions about Villa Cabernet

How many guests does Villa Cabernet sleep?

Villa Cabernet accommodates 8 guests maximum. The main villa contains 3 double bedrooms on the first floor, each sleeping 2 guests. The ground floor does not contain sleeping accommodation beyond a sofa-bed option in the main living area if required. The separate pool house, 60 metres from the main villa, houses a sofa-bed in the lounge and a mezzanine bedroom, providing accommodation for 2 additional guests. This arrangement suits groups preferring a degree of separation while remaining within the same estate.

What is the nearest airport to Villa Cabernet in Ménerbes?

Avignon-Provence Airport (Aéroport d’Avignon) is the closest commercial airport, 40km northwest of Villa Cabernet, requiring approximately 50 minutes by car. This airport receives direct flights from most European capitals and several UK airports. Marseille-Provence Airport, 85km south (90 minutes drive), offers a larger selection of international flights. Nice Airport, 150km southeast (2 hours 15 minutes), connects to most major international hubs.

What is the best time of year to rent Villa Cabernet?

April through June represents the ideal window: spring wildflowers bloom across the Luberon, temperatures remain warm without oppressive heat (typically 18-24°C), and the summer tourist crush has not yet arrived. July and August offer guaranteed sunshine and perfect swimming conditions, but attract crowds to popular villages like Gordes. September brings early autumn clarity, fewer tourists, and temperatures of 20-26°C ideal for both outdoor activity and comfortable sleeping. October can be wet, though the light remains extraordinary. November through March experiences cooler weather (8-12°C) and occasional rain, but the landscape transforms into subtle greens and greys, and spring bulbs emerge by late February.

Is Villa Cabernet suitable for families with children?

Yes, with appropriate safeguards. The heated swimming pool is fitted with an electric safety shutter meeting EU standards, and pool depth measures 1.5 metres, suitable for children aged 5 and above with supervision. The extensive grounds provide safe space for children to explore without traffic risk. The boules court entertains younger guests during warm afternoons. Ménerbes contains no beaches, but the Sorgue River near Fontaine-de-Vaucluse (11km south) permits supervised river paddling in summer. The Thursday market in Ménerbes engages children, and ice cream shops operate in the village. Families should note the property contains wooden beams, stone stairs, and traditional architectural features that may present minor hazards; toddlers require constant supervision near the pool and on terraces.

What is included in the rental price at Villa Cabernet?

Rental includes Wi-Fi internet throughout, electricity, water, and gas heating. Pool heating operates during agreed seasons, typically May through September. Bed linen and towels are provided and changed weekly, or more frequently by arrangement. A welcome cleaning upon arrival ensures the property is pristine. Air conditioning operates in all bedrooms. The wood-burning stove is available for use, with firewood supplied. Television and DVD player function for entertainment. Parking is included. Additional services—mid-week housekeeping, grocery pre-shopping, airport transfers, wine tasting arrangements—are available at supplementary cost.

What restaurants and shops are near Villa Cabernet?

Within Ménerbes (1km): L’Antiquaire provides regional Provençal cuisine in a historic stone dining room; Café de la Mairie operates as the village social hub, serving simple bistro fare and excellent coffee. In Coustellet (8km): several restaurants operate along the canal, with a particular strength in casual riverside dining during summer months. Gordes (8km) contains numerous restaurants ranging from casual crêperies to Michelin-referenced establishments, though expect higher prices and greater formality. For shopping: a Carrefour supermarket operates in Coustellet (8km); specialist food shops cluster in Apt’s Saturday morning market (28km); wine merchants operate throughout the Luberon, with particular concentrations in Bonnieux and Lourmarin; antique dealers fill L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (22km). Ménerbes’ Thursday market supplies fresh produce, cheese, bread and regional specialities.