Gite Le Hibou - La Fontaine de Charambaud

In the year 1732 A.C. a farmer in Crestet was granted the exclusive right to use the waters of the Charambaud spring. Ever since, "La Fontaine de Charambaud" has prospered. In 2001, this ancient wine growing estate got a new function: that of welcoming guests to a delightful stay within its age-old walls.

Today the property is divided into three independent, spacious and comfortable apartments, called respectively "le Hibou" (the owl, symbol of wisdom), "le Martinet" (the swallow, symbol of freedom), and "le Rossignol" (the nightingale, symbol of magic).

Each of them has a surface of approximately 85 m2 and is furnished for 4 or 5 persons. You can appreciate modern features like dishwashers, microwaves or broadband Internet, while admiring all that remained the same, like the beamed ceilings "a la française", the sound of the fountain in the courtyard or the stunning beauty of the views of Mt Ventoux.

Around the house a well kept terrain of 10.000 m2 is at your disposal. The vineyards have not all disappeared. However, extensive lawns have been created so that you can relax under the shade of the cherry- or peach-trees, play badminton or football, or admire the butterflies around the lavender. From your apartment it is only a short walk to the heated pool, sized 13 x 7 m + step in part 1,5 x 3 m. Around the pool you will find sunbeds and parasols. Also the cherry trees offer a splendid place in the shadow. Near the pool area you will find the jeu-de-boules court, swings and a slide for the smallest.

The immediate surroundings
35 km east of the Rhone river in the upper part of the Provence, the recently restored property Mas lou Parpaioun is located in Crestet, just 3 km south of Vaison-la-Romaine in the French department of Vaucluse. You will find green countryside bordered on the west side by the rocky Dentelles de Montmirail (734m) and on the east side by the pre-Alpes, with the dominating Mont Ventoux at a height of 1912 m visible from the property.
This valley has a very mild climate with over 300 days of sunshine a year with a long summer providing comfortable average temperatures between 25 (May, September) up to 32 degrees Celsius (July and August).
Le Crestet (pop. 440) is a small protected medieval historical village on top of a hill. Surrounded by vineyards, olive and almond trees it has many small alleyways with beautiful architecture. At the top of the village is a small castle with a square that provides a staggering view over the valley, Mont Ventoux and the valley of Crestet. Lou Parpaioun is situated just several hundred meters east of the village center at the bottom of the hill. Crestet has 3 restaurants, one of them at 150 m.

Region
The region is very famous for the Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Ventoux wines.
The hills and mountains around Crestet offer many hiking and (mountain) biking trails, with beautiful views over the numerous vineyards and scattered small Provencal villages. The Ouveze river, a few hundred meters from the property, offers various spots for swimming and multiple fishing opportunities.
The Toulourenc river at 10 minutes distance by car offers a breathtaking canyon. The height of Mont Ventoux allows for down hill and cross country skiing on the northern slope during some of Crestet's colder short winters. With its green wooded base, well known for truffles, the bold top shows different colours every moment of the day as the light changes.
Other activities in the neighbourhood: Markets, Canoeing, Ceramics, Cycling, Fishing, Flying, Golf, Hiking, Horse riding, Mountain biking, Rock climbing, Shopping, Swimming, Tennis, Walking, Wine tasting, Wine touring, Olive oil tasting, truffle markets (winter).

Gift during your stay : une bouteille de vin