Close friends of mine “won” a house in the south of France for a week several years ago and invited me to join them. I was all set to go but had to cancel at the last minute and have always regretted it. My friends had a great time and in fact, one of my friends (a very discerning traveler) still describes the house as the perfect rental house. It isn’t fancy or modern, but she loved the history, charm and location.
Vence Millhouse is an exquisitely renovated olive mill dating back originally to the 11th century. Inside and out, the property evinces its rich history with stone structures from the original mill, landscaped Provençal gardens, a millstream, and pool with pool house.
Antique furnishings and authentic architectural accents throughout the villa add to its charm and character. The first floor features a large open living/dining room with stone archways, a massive fireplace, and original exposed wood beam ceilings and stone floors.
The house is a short walk to the town of Vence where there are charming restaurants, galleries and shops. Also close by is the town of St. Paul-de-Vence (similar names; different towns), where the famous modern museum Fondation Maeght is located.
Of course the main focus of any visit to France is the food so here is a list of amazing restaurants in the area to try during your stay:
- Restaurant Le Saint-Paul
- La Bastide Saint-Antoine
- Chateau St. Martin
- Le Vistamar
- La Chaumière
- La Chèvre D’Or
- Cafe de Paris Monte Carlo
- La Colombe D’or
While researching this post, I came across another house that is available for rent, which also looks almost as perfect: Moulin de Boursac
L’Oliveraie at Chateau St. Martin
A gem of a site- I’ve been searching for a site that highlights such amazing treasures for travel. Thank you for sharing.