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-   -   Help with rentals in Province/Vaucluse area (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/help-with-rentals-in-province-vaucluse-area-664545/)

Pip4 Dec 15th, 2006 11:39 AM

Help with rentals in Province/Vaucluse area
 
I am looking for a place to rent for either a week or 2 in Province/Vaucluse area in Oct next year. (07) I like Isle Sur La Sorgue and Louramin. A town large enough for night activity but with character. If anyone knows of a place with charm and $100 or less a night (weekly rate) please let me know. We are a married couple. Thank you.

kdcwood Dec 16th, 2006 09:23 AM

Our family is renting this house right in the village of Bonnieux for two weeks in March. We have been inside the house and are looking forward to our stay there. Bonnieux is a very special village with several restaurants, over the mountain from Lourmarin and on the way to L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. http://www.slowtrav.com/cl/detail.asp?l=2527 It fits nicely within your price range and there is a pretty little terrace on the top level that looks out to the Petit Luberon.

I have photos of Bonnieux here: http://www.luberonexperience.com/pho...ieux/index.htm

And here is an apartment in Lourmarin http://www.rentourhomeinprovence.com/default.asp owned by an American family that also seems to fit within your price range. (I don't have any personal experience with this place, but have corresponded with the owners before.)

We lived in Bonnieux in 2004/2005 and absolutely love this area. October is a wonderful time to enjoy Provence.

Kathy


Pip4 Dec 16th, 2006 03:18 PM

Kathy, thanks a million for the recommendations. I have emailed La Maison de Village owners since it looks so lovely. The apartment looks lovely aswell but a little bit more money a week. I will let you know the results if you like.
I hope you have a very good stay there in March. Is the weather OK in Oct do you know?

Pip4 Dec 16th, 2006 03:22 PM

Kathy, I forgot to ask if this house is in town or does it have any garden?

kdcwood Dec 16th, 2006 05:54 PM

Hi Pip,

Christine's little house (La Maison de Village) is right in the village of Bonnieux, near the top of the village. Across the street and down just a few buildings is the best patisserie/boulangerie in the Luberon, run by our friends Henri and Rosa Tomas. There is no garden, but you can enjoy the terrace. And in just ten minutes you can drive to the beautiful Foret de Cedres at the top of the Petit Luberon mountain.

We arrived in Bonnieux for our 6-1/2 month stay on October 2, 2004. These photos were all taken in October, so you can get an idea of what to expect. (Look at the clothes we're wearing...) http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...411&page=1

I'd love to know what you end up doing.

Kathy

kdcwood Dec 16th, 2006 07:12 PM

Pip, I thought of another rental that would be in your price range, this one in Cucuron near Lourmarin, on the south side of the Luberon.

http://www.provence-holiday.co.uk/index.html

I don't know this house personally, but I knew an American family who stayed here and they seemed very pleased with it.

And here's a possible resource right in Lourmarin. I know people who have stayed here. http://www.apartmentsprovence.com/

I am partial to Bonnieux and the views on the north side of the Luberon-- it has become almost home to us-- but the entire area is just beautiful.

Kathy

StuDudley Dec 17th, 2006 09:32 AM

We've spent may months in Provence, and I think Bonnieux is much more centrally located than Lourmarin. Get out a red magic marker & put a red dot on the Michelin 113 map next to all the sites you want to visit. Most (except for Aix) are much closer to Bonnieux. It's only 12K between Lourmarin & Bonnieux, but the drive over the Combe de Lourmarin can be quite slow & my wife hates to drive over it at night. You could take the D973 west to the sites, but driving through Cavaillon is not enjoyable, IMO.

Stu Dudley

Pip4 Dec 19th, 2006 06:35 AM

Thank you Stu; I will take note of that bit of info.

Pip4 Dec 25th, 2006 12:01 PM

Kathy, if you are still there, I am thinking Christine's house is very narrow and maybe a bit confining. Am I correct?
Pip

kdcwood Dec 25th, 2006 01:41 PM

Pip, Christine's house is narrow-- one room wide and two rooms deep... four stories, plus a cave. The front door opens right out onto the street. The top floor has a small terrace for outdoor dining and relaxing, which I think is a real plus. For the price, you'll definiely have a lot more room to spread out than you would in a hotel room, though there is not access to a garden.

Christine has a family of five and uses the house a few weeks a year. We are a family of three. Although we won't be staying there until March (for two weeks), we think we'll be very happy there. Of course, we plan to spend a lot of time hiking and out and about. We are very partial to Bonnieux, and I'm not aware of another rental there of this size for less than $100 a night.

Let us know what you decide to do-- and feel free to e-mail me directly if you like.

Kathy


Pip4 Dec 26th, 2006 09:07 AM

Kathy, thanks for the info. Now Xmas is over, I will set my mind to Provence in earnest. Will let you know.


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