Villa Amiradou

This spacious, elegant family villa has the abundant charm and character of a much-loved private home, with a scattering of curios and collectables that all feel as though they have a story to tell. It feels like a wonderful place to write your own perfect summer story, inspired by long days by the pool, a family boules challenge, the fabled wines and cuisine of the region or perhaps an excursion to the superb Roman sites at Orange and Avignon.

The house is wonderfully private and tranquil, occupying a dominant position in the classic ‘garrigue’ terrain so typical of the region. It’s a wild and untouched landscape, filled with herby, aromatic plants growing on limestone plateaux, which impart a distinctive bouquet to the wines of the region. There are myriad opportunities to put this to the test locally, be it a bottle with dinner or a visit to one of the many vineyards in the area. If you’re inspired to buy, then the villa’s multiple terraces offer plenty of pretty spots in which to try out your purchases, with sweeping views over vineyards, the village below and the mighty Mont Ventoux in the distance. Cyclists might be inspired by this iconic peak, and there are also many walks leading around and away from the nearby village of Mirabel-aux-Baronnies. If all that sounds like hard work and you simply want a comfy base, a beautiful pool and peace to enjoy it all with your favourite people, Villa Amiradou is an excellent choice.

Local Area

A 5-minute drive or a 20-minute walk takes you to Mirabel-aux-Baronnies for small shops and a choice of restaurants. The local tourist office claims that the area has its own favourable micro-climate, and whether or not you experience this, it’s a pretty town in a lovely setting, complete with the remnants of the old city walls and 13^th C castle. The villa is equidistant (15min drive) between Vaison la Romaine, one of the most important Roman sites in the area, and Nyons, a classic Provençal town bustling with pavement cafes and restaurants. Both towns are crowned by chateaux, and both are very much worth the trek up to see the views.

Just over an hour away is Avignon with its Papal Palace and of course that famous bridge, and there are many other highlights here, including the fabulous city food market at Les Halles, and the UNESCO-classified Musée du Petit Palais, with its stunning collection of Renaissance paintings. For a family day out with a painless history lesson thrown in, Orange (45mins) really brings ancient Rome to life with its grand Triumphal Arch and iconic theatre. And for those more concerned with the present, it’s a lively, pedestrian-friendly city with abundant places to eat well or just enjoy a perfectly chilled glass of rosé in the sunshine.

Explore our pre-bookable experiences in Provence

Our choice of French properties is diverse, ranging from simple charm to genuine luxury and style. Much of our portfolio is privately owned, and price alone is therefore not a universal guide. We contract all our accommodation in person, and each property has its individual appeal.

To help you make the right choice based on your own priorities, we have devised a simple grading guide to be considered in conjunction with each individual property description, awarding up to a maximum of five stars for the below categories.