Description

A short drive from the pretty village of Maussane-les-Alpilles, this expansive villa offers a rare blend of contemporary comfort and timeless Provençal charm. Situated beside the Canal des Baux, this is a wonderful base for exploring from the olive groves of Les Alpilles to artistic Arles and the captivating Camargue.




As you step into the heart of the villa’s interiors, light floods in from every angle. The spacious open-plan living area blends a sleek, fully equipped kitchen with an inviting lounge and dining space, all centred around a striking glass atrium with a billiard table overlooking the canal. Large windows infuse the space with a sense of openness and warmth, spilling out onto a generous terrace that feels made for golden-hour apéritifs.


Five pretty bedrooms (two en suite) are spread across the mas and a separate guest annexe, each designed with comfort in mind. With full air conditioning and Wi-Fi throughout, modern conveniences are at your fingertips.




Step outside and over a hectare of landscaped grounds await. Towering over the garden is a centuries-old plane tree, offering shade and grandeur in equal measure. Trickling fountains and meandering water channels bring a calming rhythm to the outdoor space, while multiple seating areas provide perfect nooks for relaxation or conversation.




Next to the house lies a pristine swimming pool that can be heated on request (for a supplement), complete with shaded pool terrace for al-fresco dining. Long summer lunches roll into evening gatherings around the barbecue and plancha. For the playful, a pétanque court and ping-pong table provide endless entertainment, while a fishing pontoon offers a rare moment of stillness by the canal’s edge.




Between the rich Provençal landscapes of Saint-Martin-de-Crau and the vibrant market village of Maussane-les-Alpilles, this villa is ideally located to explore the region’s culinary, cultural and natural delights.

Maison Emeraud is located in Les Alpilles Natural Regional Park, next to a canal and just off the road connecting Saint-Martin-de-Crau and Maussane-les-Alpilles. The artistic town of Arles is only a 20-minute drive away whilst Avignon (42km) and Aix-en-Provence (65km) can be reached in around an hour by car.




Maussane-les-Alpilles (5km) is a picturesque Provençal village where life slows to the rhythm of olive oil mills, market days, and pretty restaurant terraces. Its charm lies not only in its postcard beauty but also in its surroundings: a tapestry of natural wonders, cultural gems and authentic southern French lifestyle. Wander cobbled lanes lined with shuttered stone houses, or sip rosé in the leafy square accompanied by the sound of church bells. Just down the road, the tiny village of Paradou is also not to be missed – enjoy lunch at the iconic bistro or hire bikes to explore the surrounding olive groves.




Nearby Mouriès (10km), the largest olive oil producing village in France, offers the perfect setting to visit working mills and sample the golden nectar straight from the press. A little further north, medieval Les Baux-de-Provence (9km) is perched above endless olive groves and classified as one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’ with its famous castle and incredible views.  




Les Alpilles is an unmissable sanctuary for nature lovers. Whether you’re hiking past craggy limestone ridges, birdwatching in protected wetlands, or cycling past pine forests, the region’s raw beauty never disappoints. Culture seekers will appreciate Arles (16km), once home to Van Gogh, where Roman ruins and vibrant markets set the stage for a rich artistic legacy. Southwards, the Camargue opens up into a mosaic of salt flats, rice paddies and flamingo-filled lagoons, best explored on horseback or by boat.




For a refreshing contrast, spend a day at the coast. The Camargue’s Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer (53km), perched on the Mediterranean, offers sandy beaches, traditional bullfighting festivals, and relaxed seaside dining. Alternatively, Fos-sur-Mer (36km) provides a more understated escape with family-friendly stretches of shoreline, not far from the Étang de Berre with beaches, watersports and family-friendly activities near Istres (30km) and Martigues (50km).

Maison Interiors


Ground Floor  




-    Open-plan lounge and dining area with doors opening to large terrace


-    Open-plan kitchen, fully-equipped, with doors leading to poolside dining terrace


-    Open-plan conservatory-style space overlooking canal with billiard table  


-    Bedroom with king-size double bed (180x200cm), access to outside and en suite bathroom


-    Guest WC



Upstairs




-    Bedroom with double bed (140x200cm) and en suite shower room with Italian shower and sink. Separate WC (in hallway)


-    Bedroom with two single beds (80x200cm, can be joined as a double)


-    Bedroom with double bed (140x200cm)


-    Shower room with shower and sink



Annexe




-    Bedroom with double bed (140x200cm), Italian shower, sink and WC



Outside Grounds



-    Swimming pool, open approximately May to mid-October. Can be heated for a supplement (no charge in July/August)


-    Covered poolside terrace for al-fresco dining


-    Barbecue and plancha


-    Large terrace with outdoor lounge


-    Century-old plane tree


-    Fountain/water features


-    Terrace with brasero


-    Pétanque court


-    Ping-pong table


-    Canal access for fishing


-    Garden/grounds (more than one hectare)


-    Gated entrance and lighting