Mas Du Chateau

About this property

With landscapes that would have inspired the great artist, Paul Cézanne, Mas Du Château is surrounded by vineyards, forests and remarkable views of the incredible Mount Sainte-Victoire.

This traditional Provençal mas has been beautifully restored in recent years and turned into a calming and tranquil holiday home in the most glorious setting. Seven pretty bedrooms are scattered across the main house and annexe, each with their own character, personal touches and en suite bathrooms. The lovely living area and inviting dining room, with their exposed beams and rustic ambience, are delightful places to relax whilst the traditional French kitchen has its own little breakfast terrace for a morning coffee in the shade of the mulberry tree.

The outside space is superb with its spectacular views across the vast estate and towards Mount Sainte-Victoire – swimming in your infinity pool with such magnificent vistas is a wonderful experience! There are also various terraces on different levels such as the al-fresco dining area with its summer kitchen and a huge panoramic patio leading from one of the annexe bedrooms.

Mas Du Château is part of a vast hillside estate, covering 500 hectares of woodland, vines and olive trees – follow 40km worth of trails and tracks to discover the great diversity of nature all around you. The château’s vineyards produce red, white and rosé wines, all bottled on site in the estate’s impressive winery – be sure to try the traditionally Provençal ‘Vin Cuit’, the perfect aperitif to accompany the stunning scenery.

Visit the local town, just 5km away, and enjoy a lunch on the main square surrounded by plane trees after wandering around its medieval historic centre – it’s especially lovely on market day. Other idyllic villages close by include Le Tholonet and Puyloubier, both great inspirations to Cézanne with the mighty Mount Sainte-Victoire so near.

Follow further footsteps of Cézanne in charming Aix-en-Provence, only 30km by car, and visit some of the city’s cafes, museums and gardens. Heading south, the Mediterranean coast is also waiting to be explored with enchanting seaside towns such as Cassis and La Ciotat around an hour away, and experience yet more natural beauty with the Calanques National Park coastline.

The vibrant city of Marseille can also be reached in an hour – there really is so much to discover across this enthralling part of southern France. That’s if you can bear to leave the truly beautiful surroundings of this rural idyll.

Mas Du Château is set on a vast 500-hectare estate in the Bouches-du-Rhône department of southern France, just 30km south-east of Aix-en-Provence, with incredible views of the Arc valley and Mount Sainte-Victoire.

This hillside estate is quite remarkable – as you first enter you will see the winery and a 17th century bastide which is often rented out for weddings, then follow the winding and sometimes bumpy track for just under 2km, passing forests and vineyards until you reach your holiday home.

There are 40km worth of lanes and trails through the woodland and vines, passing olive trees and grazing sheep alongside beehives, herbs and wild hillsides, so often surrounded by stunning views as you ascend as high as 600m above sea-level. There is an especially wonderful walk just beyond the estate to the remains of a 5th century chapel, around 2km away. This region also offers some fantastic mountain biking opportunities and there are horse-riding stables within a short drive.

The château’s vineyards produce Côtes de Provence Sainte Victoire and Côtes de Provence wines, as well as the traditional Provencal ‘Vin Cuit’ and they are all bottled on the estate. You can also visit the owner's wine-shop and bistro for further tastings and purchases, around a 20-minute drive away.

Despite this rural idyll, once you leave the estate it’s just a 3km drive to the nearest restaurants, bars, shops and supermarkets in the local town. The historic centre, surrounded by some of its old ramparts, dates back to medieval times with attractive houses, arched lanes as well as a 13th century synagogue and beautiful 12th century church. Stop off for a coffee in the main square by the typically Provençal plane trees. The Wednesday morning market is also a lovely way to pick up a wealth of local produce to cook at home.

Visit some of the idyllic French villages that inspired the artist Paul Cézanne such as Le Tholonet (25km) where he painted many of his pictures of the spectacular Mount Sainte-Victoire. Other picturesque villages across the Arc Valley include Puyloubier (14km), also loved by Cézanne for its incredible landscapes at the foot of the mountain, Pourrières (12km) and Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume (20km).

Follow Cézanne’s footsteps in Aix en Provence (30km), a joy to explore with its cafes, museums, gardens and overall charming ambience. The Musée Granet is a must for all art lovers and the Atelier Cézanne is also worth visiting – the studio where the great artist produced so much of his work. Be sure to try and coincide your visit with a trip to the wonderful open-air market which runs three times a week.

The Mediterranean coast is also not too far away with the lovely town of Cassis (45km) just under an hour away, as well as the brilliant Calanques National Park, a paradise for walkers and hikers of varying abilities. Spend some time in this picturesque seaside village with its pretty pastel coloured houses or follow the famous coastal road, Route des Cretes, towards La Ciotat where you can pick up a boat to the beautiful île Verte.

Accommodation

Main House Interiors

Garden Level

-    Large living room (40m2) with fireplace and doors leading out to terrace and gardens
-    Dining room (22m2) with table for up to 14 guests.
-    Kitchen (12m2), well-equipped including hobs, oven, fridge, microwave, dishwasher, toaster. Door leads out to small breakfast terrace

First Floor (two connecting bedrooms, via stairs from dining room).

-    Bedroom 1 (25m2) with double bed (180x200cm) and bathroom with bath, two sinks and WC. This bedroom can only be accessed via Bedroom 2’s bathroom (there is a non-working lift in this bedroom as well).
-    Bedroom 2 (21m2) with double bed (180x200cm) and bathroom with shower, sink and WC. The bathroom connects to Bedroom 1. 

Pool Level (lower level, via stairs from kitchen)

-    Bedroom 3 with four single beds (90x200cm each), TV, DVD player and doors leading to swimming pool level. Shower room with two large Italian showers, two sinks and WC
-    Laundry with American fridge, washing machine and dryer

Annexe Interiors

Terrace Lower Level

-    Bedroom 4 (40m2) with double bed (180x200cm) and doors leading to large terrace (with steps to swimming pool level). Open-plan bathroom with bath, sink and separate WC

Garden Level

-    Bedroom 5 (16m2) with double bed (180x200cm) and door leading outside (via step). Bathroom with bath, sink and WC.
-    Bedroom 6 (18m2) with double bed (160x200cm) and door leading outside (via steps). Bathroom with bath, sink and WC.
Bedrooms 5 and 6 each have independent access (via steps) and they can connect via each others bathrooms.

Outside Grounds

-    Heated infinity swimming pool (12.5x5m, depth: 1.1-2.1m) with rigid safety shutter and flood-lighting. Heated approximately May to end-October
-    Poolside decked terrace with sun-loungers
-    2 x outside showers
-    Al-fresco dining terrace/pergola with summer kitchen (hob, sink, fridge and plancha-style barbecue)
-    Breakfast terrace (off the kitchen)
-    Gardens and terraced grounds with steps
-    Boules pitch
-    Access to 500-hectare estate (vineyards, forests, walks trails and owner’s winery and bastide rental)

Facilities

-    Wi-Fi with 4G router
-    Air-conditioning
-    Heating
-    Lift (connecting living room and Bedroom 1)
-    Apple TV
-    DVD player
-    Blue-tooth music system
-    Boules
-    Mölkky game
-    Washing machine and dryer