Bastide De L’Etranger France

This is idyllic Provence at its best – a grand and beautiful 18th-century bastide with enchanting character, glorious gardens and only a leisurely walk or cycle ride to L’Isle sur la Sorgue with picturesque café terraces by the river’s edge.
It’s no wonder this was the favoured holiday home of one of France’s greatest twentieth century authors and thinkers. It was originally built in the mid-18th Century as a country home for a famous duke. After a fascinating history the current owners fell in love with the bastide and renovated it into an exquisite home of an incredibly high standard whilst retaining its historical character.
In a secluded position, surrounded by over 5000m2 of gardens bordered by 300-year old plane trees, this is a quiet and natural environment where you can gather with family and friends to dine al-fresco in the shade of the ancient trees, play on the vast lawns or relax by the inviting heated swimming pool.
Inside, the main living-dining room is air-conditioned with light pouring in from the floor to ceiling windows overlooking the verdant grounds. Across the ground floor you’ll also discover two further lounges, a library and a chef’s kitchen ideal for preparing Provençal feasts during your stay.
Upstairs, 21st-century features such as six elegant bathrooms, sumptuous bed linen and towels and even Nespresso machines in some of the seven bedrooms complement terracotta floors, wood-beamed ceilings and many original window panes. Each of the bedrooms has been individually styled, including a romantic room with toile de jouy fabrics and 18th-century furnishings and a beautiful second floor bedroom with its own writing desk and mountain view with 1950s style furnishings reminiscent of the time the famous French writer used to reside in this house. Also, on the second floor is a great family suite with a connecting double and twin room. Indeed, many of the bedrooms can be made up as doubles or twins making it ideal for all ages.
It’s just a short cycle ride or leisurely walk into the delightful town of L’Isle sur La Sorgue, almost like a little Venice with canals and branches of the river Sorgue running through alongside ancient waterwheels. The Sunday morning market is not to be missed – an atmospheric event combining a food market and one of the largest brocante in Europe. Bric-à-brac lovers will also love discovering the many delightful antique traders across the town.
This is an enviable location in the south of France with some of Provence’s most beautiful cities, towns and villages so near. Take the train to Avignon or hire the bastide’s own vintage Citroen 2CV to explore archetypal Provençal villages such as Gordes, Bonnieux, Roussillon and Saint-Rémy. You can even reach the vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape in just over half an hour or discover the many wonderful wineries closer to home.
Hire canoes along the river Sorgue, ride bikes along the nearby country lanes and even as far as Mont Ventoux and hike across the stunning landscapes of the Luberon region. Or simply spend time relaxing in a quiet, riverside terrace café in L’Isle sur La Sorgue, a unique and delightful place to stay.    Bastide De L’Etranger is positioned in 5000m2 of glorious gardens, just 2km outside the famous Provençal town of L’Isle sur la Sorgue in the Luberon region of Provence. The villa has bikes that guests can borrow, the ideal way to reach the town in just 15-minutes, or it’s a leisurely walk or five-minute drive.
L’Isle sur la Sorgue is a much loved town because of its picturesque setting, almost like a little Venice, with its canals and various branches of the Sorgue river alongside its ancient water wheels. There are some wonderful restaurants, bars and shops including hundreds of antique and bric-à-brac dealers open throughout the year – this really is a special place to visit during any season.
The Sunday morning market in L’Isle sur la Sorgue is the biggest in the Luberon and people come from all over Provence and beyond. It’s a food market and brocante, selling all sorts of wonderful local produce alongside antiques and bric-à-brac. It’s one of the largest antiques market in Europe and there are even bigger markets when the International Antiques Fair takes place around Easter and August time.
All the family can hire canoes along the beautiful Sorgue river and sail from Fontaine de Vaucluse, the source of the river, to L’Isle sur la Sorgue. There is also some great trout fishing in the river – the town used to be a fishing village many years ago.
Keen cyclists should visit Mont Ventoux to experience one of France’s most famous routes whilst walkers should head to the Plateau de Vaucluse for some incredible hikes or discover amazing trails across the idyllic Luberon landscapes. 
Golf-lovers should travel to Golf Saumane, only a ten-minute drive away whilst there are climbing opportunities near Buoux (36km), a tiny village with a castle not to be missed and now a mecca for rock-climbing.
You are also within close driving distance of the archetypal Provençal villages of Bonnieux (25km), Lacoste (22km), Roussillon (25km) and Van Gogh’s beloved Gordes (19km), one of France’s Plus Beaux Villages. Why not visit these beautiful villages on board a vintage Citroen 2CV, which is available to rent from the owners, a guide can also be arranged. 
Further afield, some of the gems of this region are also within easy reach for wonderful trips across Provence such as Les Alpilles and its idyllic villages including Saint-Rémy-de-Provence (32km) and Les Baux-de-Provence (41km). Head north to the famous wine-growing region of Châteauneuf-du-Pape (35km) in the southern Rhône or there are also many wonderful wineries to discover closer to home.
Historic Avignon (28km), the capital of Provence, and Aix-en-Provence (72km), one of France’s most beautiful university towns, are both under an hour away by car – Avignon can also be easily reached by train from L’Isle sur la Sorgue for a spectacular day out.
You can even reach the Mediterranean coast in little over an hour with the beaches of Marseille around 90km away. Cassis (117km) and the Calanques National Park, with its incredible scenery on the French Riviera, is only a 1hr 15 minute drive away. At Excellence Luxury Villas we pride ourselves on going that little bit further for our guests. From private chefs to babysitters we can help you arrange those little extras that make it a truly memorable holiday. Simply fill in the concierge request form or contact Excellence Luxury Villas Concierge Team who will be happy to help. We can typically help you arrange any of the following:
– Maid service/extra cleaning – Private chef/cook/catering- Welcome hamper/pre-stocked fridge- Local day-trips or tours- Airport pick-up/drop-off- Babysitting / childcare services
Extras available at this property (included):
– Welcome pack with two bottles of wine, two bottles of locally made fresh juice, fruit and other basic kitchen supplies- Welcome amenity kit by L’Occitane- Maid service included 10 hours per week (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays)- Owner can share information on local region
Extras available at this property (payable locally):
– Bikes available on request- Vintage Citroen 2CV available to hire on request, with or without guide- Continental breakfast- Home catering- Additional maid service – Babysitting- Transfers- Wine, cheese and olive oil tastings- Cooking classes at the villa
Please note that all extras are subject to availability and must be requested in advance of the holiday (prices on request). Due to some rural/remote locations, not all services will be available at all properties. However, we will always do our best to fulfil your requests!