| This three-bedroom stone house is tucked away on a small hillside in the hamlet of La Colle. There are only three properties in La Colle, so guests can forget all the stress of city life and relax in a tranquil natural environment, filled with bird songs and the buzz of bees. La Colle is surrounded in all directions by prairie, forest, lavender fields, and scented shrubs. The property was built a few hundred years ago and is an excellent example of a traditional Provençal farmhouse. The neighbouring gîte Galileo, which is owned by the same person, has received Five Globes Award from World One Call, a private holiday referral service, which therefore gives you an excellent indication about the quality of this property.
The accommodation consists of 135 square metres of living space, and is used and equipped as a family home. The entrance leads into the fully fitted kitchen with its exposed oak beams. Opening off the kitchen is the main living and dining area in the house, a large and comfortable voute. It was originally a stable at the turn of the century, but has since been developed into a very comfortable area for family activities, watching TV with the twin satellite setup, and for listening to music on the hi-fi system. The huge fireplace at the end of the archway, more often used in winter, is the focal point of the room, which is filled with different seating and relaxation areas. A large bathroom also lies on the ground floor. Upstairs are the three large bedrooms.
To keep the area around La Colle as tranquil as possible, the owners prefer to take only four guests at a time in the house. As the property is accessed by a narrow country lane, it is not recommended that guests bring sports cars or caravans.
A great deal of additional information about this property and the surrounding area can be seen at our European web site at: http://perso.wanadoo.fr/colle/indexen.htm
Forcalquier is the principal town serving the area. There are two supermarkets, and a host of small shops and businesses to tempt your tastebuds. The local produce is excellent, especially the lamb, which is raised organically on the prairies and pastures, the tomatoes, and of course, the vast selection of high quality cheeses and wines. The main open market in Forcalquier is on Mondays. This is an event that should not be missed; visitors can explore the multitude of edible products on display, or just sit and relax in one of the three main cafés located on the market square. Throughout the summer, almost every town has a festival, show, concert, special event or fête. In addition, there are many interesting architectural sites to see within a thirty minute radius - including churches, monasteries, and the beautiful village of Lurs -a fully restored hilltop village full of artists. The beautiful countryside features some spectacular natural landmarks such as the Canyon of the Verdon river.
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