In a quiet setting on the edge of the Luberon and just a short stroll from a pretty village, this delightful modern home offers charm, comfort and privacy in a wonderful part of southern France.

Enjoy the glorious views from the open-plan living and dining space with blue shuttered French windows looking out towards the surrounding woodland and picturesque Var countryside. Villa L’Aube’s interiors are bright and contemporary, it’s newly built after all, and attractive furnishings create a classic yet jovial ambience in this fine family home.

Upstairs, four pretty bedrooms allow plenty of space with two king-size doubles, one with a walk-in wardrobe and spacious en suite bathroom, and two twins, all with picture-book windows offering yet more beautiful vistas of the surrounding region.

Al-fresco dining is a joy on the covered terrace outside, whether enjoying coffee and croissants as the sun rises above the distant mountains or feasting with family and friends with the background chirps of crickets as the stars fill the clear night sky above you. A few steps down is the swimming pool for hours of summer fun or simply find a shady spot for a glass of local wine under the towering pines as you listen out for the church bells from the local village. 

Villa L’Aube is in a peaceful and private setting, with other villas dotted across the woodland. You can wander to the local village, first to the nearby boulangerie-patisserie and little supermarket, then up the hill to its historic heart with narrow lanes, characterful shuttered houses and olive trees alongside a couple of restaurants, a café, wine shop and lovely Saturday morning market.

Visit the traditionally Provençal town of Manosque, discover nearby lakes for summer swimming, nature walks and watersports or explore many of the Luberon’s idyllic villages such as Ansouis, Cucuron and Lourmain, home to wonderful markets, pretty shops and Michelin starred restaurants.

Then there’s the incredible Lac de Sainte-Croix and the mesmerising Verdon gorge, a paradise for kayaking, canoeing, mountain climbing and hiking. Or experience the charm of Aix-en-Provence, under an hour away, with its pavement cafes, museums and glorious surrounding scenery that has inspired so many artists and writers over the years.  

Villa L’Aube is a short walk from a small village in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, on the edge of the Luberon region. Just a 4km drive from the town of Manosque, often referred to as the gateway to the Verdon Regional Natural Park, this is an ideal location for exploring this beautiful part of southern France.

The neighbourhood is quiet with other villas dotted amongst the tall trees – listen out for church bells from the local village and the sound of crickets at night. Wander to the lower part of the local village, about 600m away, where you will find a small supermarket and a boulangerie-patisserie/coffee shop. Then follow the fairly steep road up the hill to the old part of the medieval village, a 15-minute walk away, with further amenities including restaurants, cafes, a great wine shop and a picturesque Saturday morning market selling fresh fruit, cheeses, olives and meat.

Be sure to sample some of the local wine produced from vines growing on the hillside and if staying in late July then look out for a beautiful photography exhibition that takes place on a large screen in the village. Golf-lovers note an impressive 18-hole golf course is just minutes away by car.

The traditionally Provençal town of Manosque (4km) has a wider range of restaurants and larger supermarkets as well as a train station with departures to Aix-en-Provence and Marseille. Enter through the two 14th century gateways to the medieval quarter and explore its attractive lanes and pretty squares. Just outside the town, head out to Lac les Vannades for summer swimming, nature walks and picnics.

This is a wonderful base for exploring the southern part of the Luberon region. Come across pretty perched villages such as historic Grambois (where parts of Pagnol’s La Gloire De Mon Père was filmed) or drive a little further to the much-loved Luberon villages of Ansouis, one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’ and Cucuron, home to a beautiful bassin and Michelin starred restaurant. Another great highlight of southern Luberon is the charming village of Lourmarin (40km), so adored by Albert Camus, with its wonderful weekly market and delightful restaurant and café terraces dotted across the village’s idyllic lanes.

Heading east, experience the jovial ambience at the thermal baths in Greoux-les-Bains, around a 20-minute drive away, visit the summer lavender fields around Valensole or admire the natural beauty surrounding Lac d’Esparron, a great area for hiking and watersports.

You will find further water-based opportunities either along Le Canal du Verdon or by the incredible Sainte-Croix lake with its canoeing, kayaking, sailing and idyllic swimming spots (the charming lakeside resort of Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon is around an hour by car). Then of course there is the spectacular Gorges du Verdon and some of the most magnificent scenery in France.

For a change of scene, take the perfect day trip to Aix-en-Provence, birthplace of Paul Cézanne, with its terrace cafes, galleries, museums and parks. 

Accommodation