Le Totem France

Le Totem is a unique home, located in private and enclosed 5000m² grounds, offering guests a slice of beautiful nature in the stunning Drôme region.
The charming stone villa has been recently been tastefully refurbished, maintaining the classic charm and interjecting modern comfort. In front of the open fireplace is the perfect place to relax in the cooler months, while the large exterior doors to the patio can be thrown open in the summer to allow the warmth of the day to permeate the home. The kitchen is vast, with the bright and open design allowing the large exterior doors to fill the room with a warm glow. Exposed stone walls, bamboo plants and gorgeous painted tiles create a casual, traditional and unassuming ambience. In the hallway there is a calm reading corner, perfect for taking an hour out on a busy day.
All four double bedrooms are stylish yet unpretentious with minimalist design whilst the bathrooms are modern, with elegant décor and two enjoy beautiful bathtubs where you can soak your worries away in a calm, soothing environment.
The garden is a haven for nature-lovers and peace-seekers; enjoy a seat on the swing and listen to the breeze in the blossoming greenery or stroll through the trees. The huge terrace area offers space to dine, relax and socialise, with various tables, chairs and shaded areas. The vast private pool in the summer months is the cherry on the cake of an exquisite villa!
You can wander down the hill to the village with a bakery, shops and restaurants and admire the beautiful views of the Drôme hills around you.  This majestic home is also the ideal location for exploring the rich culture and history of the area. You’re very close to the old feudal village of Châteauneuf-de-Mazenc and you can admire the famous pottery of the nearby village of Dieulefit.
For a full day out, pay a visit to the picturesque town of Montélimar, famous for its typically Provençal style and as the home of nougat, which you can learn all about at a local factory or in the delightful sweet museum ‘Palais des Bonbons’!Le Totem is just 1km to the nearest village with a bakery, shops, a supermarket and a handful of restaurants. You’re very close to the old feudal village of Châteauneuf-de-Mazenc and you can admire the famous pottery of the nearby village of Dieulefit (12km).
The villa is perfectly located less than half an hour from the picturesque town of Montélimar (17km) which hosts the beautiful Jardin Public, a charming green space among the busy streets of the town that even has a small animal park! Wander the tree-lined boulevards, visit the Museum of Miniatures, with its fascinating collection of doll’s houses and pop in to the Palais des Bonbons et du Nougat too, if you’re feeling a little naughty – a fabulous trip back to childhood, even for the big kids!
The region of Drôme itself is a delightful area, attracting far fewer tourists compared to neighbouring Provence but is arguably even more beautiful. The Rhône Alpes are a maze of orchards, olive groves, black truffles, and of course a range of incredible vineyards across the Côtes du Rhône wine region. Wine-lovers should take a visit to the ‘cathedral cellars’ at Saint-Restitut (35km), an astonishing underground cathedral in a disused stone quarry famous for its ‘Cellier des Dauphins’ wines, where one can taste highly respected wines including: Red and White Réserve, Red Grand Millésime and Grande Cuvée Toque Noire Red.
Our most active guests will adore the range of activities on offer nearby. From water-sports to waterparks, hikes to bikes and rivers to rafts. With the vast Massif Central mountains and the dramatic canyons carved through them by the Ardèche River, hiking and rafting are particularly popular, and the near-deserted mountain roads are fantastic for some tough but ultimately rewarding and beautiful cycling.
To the north is the wonderful Valence (58km), a listed city of famous for its art and history, with a charming historic centre and even further north is Lyon (158km), something of a cultural and culinary hub and one of three main cities of the region, alongside Grenoble (150km) and St. Etienne (160km), with a fascinating Renaissance and medieval centre.
To the south is the impressive city of Avignon (95km), with a UNESCO World Heritage Site historic centre, each year it hosts the delightful Festival d’Avignon which attracts visitors from all over the world! Southwest of Avingnon is Nîmes (110km), sometimes called the ‘Rome of France’, located between the Mediterranean Sea and the Cévennes mountains. Nîmes is home to many remains of the Roman Empire as well as all kinds of museums and markets in amongst its palm-lined streets and also hosts several high-profile festivals throughout the year.
International airports can be found across the region, including in Nîmes, Avignon and Marseille, and of course the increasingly popular Eurostar now runs services to Lyon, Avignon and Marseille!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 theconcierge 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- Bike hire
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!