Incredible offer on villa rental near Pernes-les-Fontaines - too good to be true?
Dec 9th, 2008, 10:07 AM
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Incredible offer on villa rental near Pernes-les-Fontaines - too good to be true?
Once again I am escorting a group of 11 to France next May-June and have been scouring the internet for a suitable house to rent in Provence. I'd set a budget of 300 euros (+/-$390) per person for the week. I was just about to pull the trigger on a nice house in Cabrières d'Avignon when I received a proposal for this house near Pernes-les-Fontaines.
http://www.valdupuy.fr/visite.php?lg...ocation=villa1
The owner is proposing the main Villa (6 bedrooms, 6 baths) plus an annexe (3 bedrooms, 2 baths) for 3000 euros, just at the limit of our budget, a little over if you include bank transfer charges. (We needed the extra room because of the composition of our party, including 7 single women who would share a room but not a bed.) The Villa alone would normally be 4000 euros. Is she desperate for some reason??? Or just very kind?
The Villa is very modern and very luxurious compared to what I've been seeing for that price. One thing holding me back - a 5000 euros security deposit!
Does anyone know of this property, Villa Potiron, or have an opinion about it? Is Pernes-les-Fontaines a good location? (It's a little farther north than I wanted to be.) I hope you can help me decide if this is worth going a bit over our budget.
http://www.valdupuy.fr/visite.php?lg...ocation=villa1
The owner is proposing the main Villa (6 bedrooms, 6 baths) plus an annexe (3 bedrooms, 2 baths) for 3000 euros, just at the limit of our budget, a little over if you include bank transfer charges. (We needed the extra room because of the composition of our party, including 7 single women who would share a room but not a bed.) The Villa alone would normally be 4000 euros. Is she desperate for some reason??? Or just very kind?
The Villa is very modern and very luxurious compared to what I've been seeing for that price. One thing holding me back - a 5000 euros security deposit!
Does anyone know of this property, Villa Potiron, or have an opinion about it? Is Pernes-les-Fontaines a good location? (It's a little farther north than I wanted to be.) I hope you can help me decide if this is worth going a bit over our budget.
Dec 9th, 2008, 10:34 AM
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I've been back to website and realize it has a lot of flowery description but not many useful photos other than a couple of bedrooms and baths and the pool area...
"the clean lines and contemporary furnishings of the huge sitting room [doesn't look all that huge to me], where sliding doors open onto an immense shaded terrace and all that is generous in natural Mediterranean surroundings.
Last but not least, the friendly, spacious kitchen, fully equipped with the very best in appliances [no pictures except for a detail - I hate those!], harmonises with the overall designer effect and simplifies your life as much as possible."
And there's no mention or picture of an interior dining room. Hmmm... I think I need to ask a few more questions.
"the clean lines and contemporary furnishings of the huge sitting room [doesn't look all that huge to me], where sliding doors open onto an immense shaded terrace and all that is generous in natural Mediterranean surroundings.
Last but not least, the friendly, spacious kitchen, fully equipped with the very best in appliances [no pictures except for a detail - I hate those!], harmonises with the overall designer effect and simplifies your life as much as possible."
And there's no mention or picture of an interior dining room. Hmmm... I think I need to ask a few more questions.
Dec 9th, 2008, 11:20 AM
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Hi Betty,
I, personally, would not want something quite this modern in Provence. But, that's being somewhat hypocritical because I would want a villa with modernized baths and kitchen! I just think the aerial view looks like a holiday camp, albeit a very upscale one.
Can't tell much from the photos but it appears your group would not be the only ones on the property--a question for the owner. Again, don't know whether or not this is an issue for you.
A 5,000 euro security deposit(payable when?) seems very steep but large deposits are common on high end accommodations. It's possibly negotiable.
I'd have many questions for the owner, would want more photos and would also do more comparison shopping. Do you have a private pool or are you sharing with other groups? Is there enough room in the main villa for your entire group to gather and/or have meals?
I expect the discount may be due to concern over obtaining bookings in the current economy.
I, personally, would not want something quite this modern in Provence. But, that's being somewhat hypocritical because I would want a villa with modernized baths and kitchen! I just think the aerial view looks like a holiday camp, albeit a very upscale one.
Can't tell much from the photos but it appears your group would not be the only ones on the property--a question for the owner. Again, don't know whether or not this is an issue for you.
A 5,000 euro security deposit(payable when?) seems very steep but large deposits are common on high end accommodations. It's possibly negotiable.
I'd have many questions for the owner, would want more photos and would also do more comparison shopping. Do you have a private pool or are you sharing with other groups? Is there enough room in the main villa for your entire group to gather and/or have meals?
I expect the discount may be due to concern over obtaining bookings in the current economy.
Dec 9th, 2008, 11:24 AM
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Provence is perhaps the most popular location in France for villa rentals in the spring/summer. I like Pernes, and it's in a good/central location. I think Cabrierers d'Avignon is a better location - we've stayed there for 4 weeks in a gite.
We've rented over 35 different Gites in France, and I give price and lots of pictures (with a floor plan) a heavy "weight" when I choose a new gite/villa to rent.
Stu Dudley
We've rented over 35 different Gites in France, and I give price and lots of pictures (with a floor plan) a heavy "weight" when I choose a new gite/villa to rent.
Stu Dudley
Dec 9th, 2008, 11:55 AM
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Cathinjoetown, you raise some important points and I've already asked about several of them. No answer yet.
I think I found the annex on another website and it does have a dining room that looks like it would seat 8 or so.
The most troublesome thing to me is the security deposit. Here's what the contract says.
"5 000 euros deposited in our bank account on your arrival.
The guarantee mentioned above (5 000 euros) will be reimbursed 15 days after your departure, except in any cases of damage, breakage or missing items." Yikes!
I'm not crazy about the modernness of it either, but I know some in our group would really like having all those bathrooms and bedrooms. That's the only place I've seen within our budget that has more that 4 bathrooms.
And thanks, Stu, for your comments, especially about Cabrières since I'm not familiar with that village.
Anyone else?
I think I found the annex on another website and it does have a dining room that looks like it would seat 8 or so.
The most troublesome thing to me is the security deposit. Here's what the contract says.
"5 000 euros deposited in our bank account on your arrival.
The guarantee mentioned above (5 000 euros) will be reimbursed 15 days after your departure, except in any cases of damage, breakage or missing items." Yikes!
I'm not crazy about the modernness of it either, but I know some in our group would really like having all those bathrooms and bedrooms. That's the only place I've seen within our budget that has more that 4 bathrooms.
And thanks, Stu, for your comments, especially about Cabrières since I'm not familiar with that village.
Anyone else?
Dec 10th, 2008, 10:42 AM
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The owner of Villa Potiron did get back to me, offered to reduce the security deposit to 3000 euros. That's still an awful lot! I asked if I could pay by check and she said yes, but it sounded like she would deposit it straight away and then reimburse me by bank transfer. I'm still not very comfortable with that.
She also indicated that everything you see on the aerial photo is a part of the Villa - it's just very spread out - so we would be the only ones on the property.
I also found the Villa on another website with more photos and description - fairly small kitchen and still no mention of an indoor dining room.
With all those issues, the modern style and the less than perfect location, I think this one has moved down on my list.
And just today, I received a reply to my inquiry about 2 houses at Moulin de la Roque near Noves. Looks pretty good with 8 bedrooms and 5 showers. If anyone knows this property (it has a good review on SlowTravel) or the village of Noves, I'd be happy to hear what you think. I think I'll post separately about this.
She also indicated that everything you see on the aerial photo is a part of the Villa - it's just very spread out - so we would be the only ones on the property.
I also found the Villa on another website with more photos and description - fairly small kitchen and still no mention of an indoor dining room.
With all those issues, the modern style and the less than perfect location, I think this one has moved down on my list.
And just today, I received a reply to my inquiry about 2 houses at Moulin de la Roque near Noves. Looks pretty good with 8 bedrooms and 5 showers. If anyone knows this property (it has a good review on SlowTravel) or the village of Noves, I'd be happy to hear what you think. I think I'll post separately about this.
Dec 10th, 2008, 11:23 AM
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I've driven around Noves several times - and I think "around" is a good thing to do with it. It is certainly in a good location, but the immediate surrounding area is flat & not charming at all. As you get just a little north, you'll hit the Avignon sprawl by the airport - which is really grim. Personally, I would not stay near Noves - I think there are many prettier areas that will fit your perfect "image" of Provence.
We've spent 16 weeks renting gites/villas in Provence - in the Luberon (Cabrieres), near St Remy, near Uzes, near Vaison, and at the southern side of Mt Ventoux near Bedoin. For a first-timer - or even a 3rd timer, I think the Luberon is the best location. Cabrieres seems to have escaped the tourists hordes (like in Gordes or Roussillon). It's a cute village with a very nice mom & pop grocery (that's open on Sundays, which is rare) where you can actually get pretty much all the food & supplies you want, a butcher shop directly across the street from the Mom & Pop, a bakery around the corner from the mom & pop, and a few restaurants. The Gite we stayed in was surrounded by vineyards, and with a lovely view of the Luberon Mountains, and of Gordes if you stood on top of the outside picnic bench. Driving through the vineyards in the Luberon at dust is breathtaking.
So - you've probably got a situation where you can't locate the perfete villa in the perfect location at your price range. The choice is either
- OK villa in great location
- OK location & great villa.
If you have a nice house in Cabrieres - I would hop on that in a minute.
Stu Dudley
We've spent 16 weeks renting gites/villas in Provence - in the Luberon (Cabrieres), near St Remy, near Uzes, near Vaison, and at the southern side of Mt Ventoux near Bedoin. For a first-timer - or even a 3rd timer, I think the Luberon is the best location. Cabrieres seems to have escaped the tourists hordes (like in Gordes or Roussillon). It's a cute village with a very nice mom & pop grocery (that's open on Sundays, which is rare) where you can actually get pretty much all the food & supplies you want, a butcher shop directly across the street from the Mom & Pop, a bakery around the corner from the mom & pop, and a few restaurants. The Gite we stayed in was surrounded by vineyards, and with a lovely view of the Luberon Mountains, and of Gordes if you stood on top of the outside picnic bench. Driving through the vineyards in the Luberon at dust is breathtaking.
So - you've probably got a situation where you can't locate the perfete villa in the perfect location at your price range. The choice is either
- OK villa in great location
- OK location & great villa.
If you have a nice house in Cabrieres - I would hop on that in a minute.
Stu Dudley
Dec 10th, 2008, 01:05 PM
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<<So - you've probably got a situation where you can't locate the perfect villa in the perfect location at your price range.>>
Exactly!
These are my top candidates at the moment.
1) Mas de Cabrières: Main house with 4 bedrooms, two baths (one ensuite) + a room with just a shower and an annex with two bedrooms and shower, basin, WC. All beds can be kings or twins. Enclosed courtyard (no views)
http://www.theluberon.com/cabrieres.htm
OR
2) Moulin de la Roque in Noves
: Les Cigales (5 bedrooms, 3 bath/shower rooms) + La Bergerie (3 bedrooms + 2 bath/shower rooms) All rooms have twin beds. Beautiful grounds but shared pool.
http://www.moulindelaroque.com/index.htm
Prices are virtually the same.
Stu, do you still think the Cabrières house is the better of the two? Anyone else, want to vote for one or the other?
Exactly!
These are my top candidates at the moment.
1) Mas de Cabrières: Main house with 4 bedrooms, two baths (one ensuite) + a room with just a shower and an annex with two bedrooms and shower, basin, WC. All beds can be kings or twins. Enclosed courtyard (no views)
http://www.theluberon.com/cabrieres.htm
OR
2) Moulin de la Roque in Noves
: Les Cigales (5 bedrooms, 3 bath/shower rooms) + La Bergerie (3 bedrooms + 2 bath/shower rooms) All rooms have twin beds. Beautiful grounds but shared pool.
http://www.moulindelaroque.com/index.htm
Prices are virtually the same.
Stu, do you still think the Cabrières house is the better of the two? Anyone else, want to vote for one or the other?
Dec 10th, 2008, 01:22 PM
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I would prefer the privacy of Mas de Cabrieres.
I like the fact that all the beds are 3', even in the two-bedded rooms, if read it correctly, each bed is 3' wide.
It's great that there's a downstairs loo to have easy access on that level and also in case someone is in dire need and both upstairs BRs are occupied!
Both outdoor and indoor dining areas look great.
May I come too?
I like the fact that all the beds are 3', even in the two-bedded rooms, if read it correctly, each bed is 3' wide.
It's great that there's a downstairs loo to have easy access on that level and also in case someone is in dire need and both upstairs BRs are occupied!
Both outdoor and indoor dining areas look great.
May I come too?
Dec 10th, 2008, 02:28 PM
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I think the Cabrieres location is the MUCH better of the two.
The Noves place seems like a group of gites/houses situated around a commom garden/pool. Unless you plan to rent the entire estate, you're going to share this place with other people you don't know - perhaps large families with (screaming) kids who like to "hog" the pool all day. I would not want to rent this place. We stayed in one like it near St Remy. I would like to relax by the pool, have lunch/dinner there without worring about someone else getting there before me & snatching up the lounge chairs, tables, etc or a "kid" invasion during my quiet nap by the pool.
If the people you are "escorting" are complete strangers and you don't have some common theme/rules like "adults only", "artist retreat", "weavers", "Chefs" - then this place would be the same whether the people are with your group, or not with your group. People staying in seperate houses might be a benefit if an entire family can stay in one house.
Stu Dudley
The Noves place seems like a group of gites/houses situated around a commom garden/pool. Unless you plan to rent the entire estate, you're going to share this place with other people you don't know - perhaps large families with (screaming) kids who like to "hog" the pool all day. I would not want to rent this place. We stayed in one like it near St Remy. I would like to relax by the pool, have lunch/dinner there without worring about someone else getting there before me & snatching up the lounge chairs, tables, etc or a "kid" invasion during my quiet nap by the pool.
If the people you are "escorting" are complete strangers and you don't have some common theme/rules like "adults only", "artist retreat", "weavers", "Chefs" - then this place would be the same whether the people are with your group, or not with your group. People staying in seperate houses might be a benefit if an entire family can stay in one house.
Stu Dudley
Dec 16th, 2008, 09:09 AM
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Just to follow up - we have rented the house in Cabrières. I was rooting for it all along for many of the reasons others have suggested - location, privacy, comfortable bedrooms, etc. The only negative was the fewer number of bathrooms but I'm sure we can manage with that.
It took the owner a few days to get back to me after I let him know that we wanted it. I found out that the person I was communicating with was not the actual owner but a friend who has other properties in the Luberon and does the marketing for this house. That was something of a surprise since this house is also advertised on VRBO. I hope it's not a problem.
Stu, since you asked (sort of) these people are all my students in a College for Seniors French class which I teach in Asheville, NC. Actually they are from 2 different classes, a Beginners French and an Advanced French so yes, they do know each other to varying degrees and have a common interest. I'll be having a couple of group meetings in the spring so that they can get to know each other a bit better. This will be my 6th such trip in the last 7 years. I've enjoyed planning these trips and escorting these groups and I think they have enjoyed the experience as well.
Thanks again to all who helped me with this decision.
It took the owner a few days to get back to me after I let him know that we wanted it. I found out that the person I was communicating with was not the actual owner but a friend who has other properties in the Luberon and does the marketing for this house. That was something of a surprise since this house is also advertised on VRBO. I hope it's not a problem.
Stu, since you asked (sort of) these people are all my students in a College for Seniors French class which I teach in Asheville, NC. Actually they are from 2 different classes, a Beginners French and an Advanced French so yes, they do know each other to varying degrees and have a common interest. I'll be having a couple of group meetings in the spring so that they can get to know each other a bit better. This will be my 6th such trip in the last 7 years. I've enjoyed planning these trips and escorting these groups and I think they have enjoyed the experience as well.
Thanks again to all who helped me with this decision.
Dec 16th, 2008, 09:51 AM
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Thanks, Cath. No, Stu, his name is Paolo de Paolis - sounds Italian but he's British and has a website for homeowners who rent out their properties, www.laymyhat.com. Certainly seems legit. I wired the deposit to the actual owner who lives in the department of Ain, close to Switzerland.
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