The Property
Mas du Murier Blanc is in a small hamlet called Vendras, located in the rolling scrubland 20 kilometers north of Uzès in the Gard region of southern France. The closest major transport links – airports and high speed railways - are Nîmes or Avignon, both of which are an hour’s drive away. The closest towns are Uzès, Bagnols-sur-Cèze, Alès and Saint-Ambroix. Vendras sits on a ridge below Mont Bouquet, the nearest peak, and has spectacular views of the Cevennes Mountains to the west, the Massif Central to the north and to the east, Mont Ventoux.
Detailed directions to the house will be provided on reception of the deposit, confirming a reservation.
For hire is a self-contained, five bedroom duplex apartment overlooking a courtyard and above the vaulted ground-level caves that provided storage for livestock, forage and tools for the former farm. The apartment was renovated in 2004 to modern specifications and the attics converted into three bedrooms and a bathroom.
To access the apartment, you walk across a colonnaded, south facing terrace which provides welcome shade from the sun in the heat of the day. The entrance is by stone steps down into the kitchen, which opens onto the sitting room.
Level One
Bedroom One
The bedroom received a face lift in 2008 converting it into a proper bedroom with en suite shower/lavatory for additional privacy. The room has a double bed and an antique pine wardrobe for storage.
The Kitchen
Painted in an Orange Blossom tinted cream, the kitchen is positioned nearest to the terrace so it's not too far to walk for mealtime. It is equipped with a Siemens oven, a gas hob, dishwasher, microwave oven and fridge freezer. The kitchen is fully equipped with crockery, cutlery, pots, pans and kitchen utensils.
Previous tenants may leave basic ingredients like olive oil, filter coffee, tea and condiments, though there is no guarantee that this will be the case.
Bedroom Two
This lies off the sitting room next to the staircase and sits over the former farmhouse bread oven. Equipped with a double bed and wardrobe for storage.
The Sitting Room
As the summer sun beats down, the sitting room provides welcome respite from the heat, especially for young children. The room has shutters, which keep the room cool and is painted Ivory to try and avoid guests feeling like they are in a tomb. The light fittings are Moroccan iron work and there is an Afghan kilim on the floor, in keeping with the `rustic' feel of the Mas du Murier Blanc complex.
There is a dining table, which seats ten, and sofas. There is a mahogany chest of drawers in which to store games.
There is a television, a DVD player, a video recorder, an MP3 player with speakers and a CD-Radio-Cassette player.
Level Two
The Azur Bedroom
Painted in sky blue, this is the first bedroom you reach as you mount the staircase. It is extremelylight, with Velux windows in the ceiling and small windows at odd levels, befitting its former use for hay storage for the farm. The room is equipped with speed-controlled ceiling fans, which provide an invaluable breeze when things start to swelter.
The south and west-facing bedroom has two single beds and two cupboards for storage. All the windows have curtains or shutters to keep out the fierce sun and the dazzling light.
The Yellow Bedroom
This is the room where parents usually let their children sleep. There are two single beds and plenty of floor space for additions. It is painted in a vibrant `Mexican' yellow which dazzles when the Velux window ceiling shades are opened. Again there are ceiling fans. There is a wall cupboard for clothing.
The Orange Room
This is a huge room with a large window overlooking the terrace. It is an ideal room for parents needing room for a cot and still have plenty of space in which to stretch out. It has a large pine wardrobe for hanging space and a futon. There are two Velux windows, which show off the two-tone orange paintwork. There is a cot available in the room.
The Bathroom
The fun checker work tiling is striking as you enter and contrasts with the peppermint paintwork. It is equipped with a bath, separate shower, Victorian sink and a lavatory. There is a Velux so you can look up at the stars.
Other Facilities
To access the garden and swimming pool, you walk across the gravel courtyard through a vaulted cave. There is a wash room here, where the Mas du Murier Blanc washing machine is located.
There is a washing line in the garden for drying clothes. In the washhouse there is also a walk-in shower and lavatory for those not quick enough to prise themselves away from the poolside.
In the courtyard there is a barbecue large enough for mass catering. Please ensure that after use or at the end of your visit you empty the ash or unused coals for the next guests. The terrace has a large dining table and chairs, where most of the summer evenings are spent.
The tiled swimming pool is 12 x 6 metres and is fenced off from the house by iron railings. For added security, the swimming pool is equipped with an electric cover that we require all guests close when the pool is not in use. This allows peace of mind for parents with young children and ensures no visitors -- human or animal -- have accidents. As part of the rental agreement we require all tenants to sign a document accepting responsibility for ensuring the pool is secure. No one wants a tragedy to occur. The pool is saline and is maintained once or twice a week.
The garden has a child's swing and the washhouse has sets of games, ranging from swimming pool volley ball and a badminton set, to pétanque boules and inflatable rafts for the pool. There are two mountain bikes and a table tennis table under the terrace overlooking the garden.
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