The Emotional Escapes website new features

Find all our destinations through one site.

The major advantage of the new emotional Escapes site is that you can now access our all portfolios by hovering your mouse on the “destinations” bar at the top of any page. A menu opens offering all the available destinations.

New search options

You can use the search button to open a scroll down bar offering you to not only select your requested date and capacity but also some essential features of the property. this feature changes depending on the destination you are searching through.

Direct access to regional information

Over the years  we have come to realize that the location of a property is just as important as its commodities in the choice of a luxury holiday rental. Therefore we  have put a lot of effort in being as informative as possible in our property descriptions, you can now have direct access to information about the area in which the property is situated.

Property Reviews

When choosing a holiday rental it is often helpful to have insight into past experiences which is one we have added a review feature which presents reviews from past guests to the properties we promote.

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Preparing Christmas in Provence

Many people know Provence as a region in France that is considered a top vacation destination, not just for the French, but for tourists from all over the world. Boasting incomparable beauty and a charming culture, as well as numerous specific attractions and sights, Provence is certainly deserving of being high on pretty much everybody’s vacation list. And to be sure, during the holiday season the charm and allure of Provence is emphasized even further!

Many people prefer to spend Christmas and the surrounding holiday weeks at home. However, for those who like to get out and visit a destination abroad, Provence is an excellent choice. With that said, here are a few helpful tips for visiting this gorgeous region for the holidays.

The village of Crillon-Le-Brave covered in snow.

Consider A Stay At Aix-En-Provence

Marseille may be the most well known destination within the region of Provence, but Aix-en-Provence is an incredible alternative still within driving distance of the coast. And besides the convenience and beauty of the area as a destination, it’s particularly delightful during the holiday season, when its streets are lit extensively in celebration of the season. It’s simply an incredibly charming location.

Be Aware Of The Calendale

This is a term you’ll likely hear when preparing for a trip to Provence. The Calendale is essentially the name given to the Christmas season, which in Provence is extended even longer than in most other parts of the world. In fact, the Calendale lasts for roughly 2 months. It’s nothing official, but a strong indication of the festivity you’ll encounter throughout Provence.

Prepare Shopping In Advance

There are plenty of wonderful local markets throughout Provence (with a particularly lovely one in Avignon each year), and if you prefer, you can do your Christmas shopping there. However, if you’d rather go for a more relaxed method of Christmas shopping while on vacation, M&S online is always an option. The large scale retailer has websites specifically geared toward several countries throughout Europe, with the French specific site offering convenient delivery of a wide range of products. This can be a great way to get your holiday shopping done quickly and on-the-go, but without sacrificing the quality of your products.

Witness The Festivals

Provence has plenty of lovely holiday festivals, all of which can add some extra cheer to your stay. “Droles de Noels” in Arles is one particularly appealing option. It features droves of visual and performing artists who are essentially running a never-ending street festival in the week leading up to Christmas.

Enjoy The Local Feast

Provence’s traditional Christmas meal is a bit different than you might expect, as noted by the Marseille and Provence tourism info page. Generally speaking, the holiday dinner is very structured and tiered with various courses, some of which symbolize Biblical significance—but none of which are served at the expense of a delicious meal!

Article by Cinthya Craig

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New Provence luxury properties to Just Provence – December 2013

Just Provence is proud to present this winter’s new additions to our portfolio. You will find in this month’s selections a very varied selection of properties ranging from the newly restored mas near the perched villages of the  Luberon to  established domains in the heart of Les Alpilles.

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New Properties in Les Alpilles.

Domaine du Gourmet, a luxurious estate near Eygalières

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This luxurious estate for rent offers outstanding services with Air-conditioning, jacuzzi, private tennis court, golf practice course as well as a heated pool. The high quality of services provided is carried  in the on-site restaurant serving home-grown produces.
Set in 25 hectares of parkland planted with pine trees, olive trees and lavender, the property is a fully renovated 17th-century hamlet that was once home to shepherds and their flocks near Eygalières. The owner has paid a lot of attention to the decoration, both inside and out. With 8 en-suite bedrooms and 3 suites, the property can sleep large groups of up to 24 people in great comfort. All bedrooms are air-conditioned and equipped with a flat-screen TV with satellite reception.

Clos Paradou, a renovated mas in a wonderful location

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A beautiful Mas with a very high level of comfort for up to 12 people, enclosed in its own 2,600 sqm private grounds right in the centre of the charming village of Le Paradou – situated between Les-Baux-de-Provence and Maussane -les- Alpilles at the foot of the Alpilles mountain range. This really is the perfect luxury holiday rental for a group of adults who appreciate the finer things in life.  this vacation rental benefits from a 10 x3 m private heated pool and air-conditioning throughout.

Les Mirabelles, traditional mas set in an orchard

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A delightful mas surrounded by mature trees,  set in 4 hectares of fruit orchards and lawns near the small village of St Andiol, this holiday rental is a perfect  home from which to explore the impressive Alpilles mountains. The beautiful village of Eygalières and the well-known market town of St-Rémy-de-Provence are both only a 10-minute drive away.

Mas de la Capelle, a comfortable near Eygalières

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A delightful restored mas just outside of Eygalières, Mas de la Capelle is truly characteristic of properties in the Alpilles, blending a traditional, rustic exterior with a modern and comfortable interior. Enjoying a large lap pool and charming, well-kept gardens, this luxury rental villa provides a relaxing and serene environment for guests to put their feet up in style.
The property can sleep 6 people in comfort in its 3 bedrooms, each of which has its own bathroom.

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New Properties in Luberon

Valensole, a lavender surrounded villa

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This Provençal holiday rental sleeps 10 with private heated 12 x 6 m swimming pool, situated in the base of the valley between Lacoste and Bonnieux it benefits from wonderful views.  Recently renovated to a very high standard this stone built Provençal mas is full of character and charm, surrounded by its own lavender fields.
The interior of the mas has been stylishly furnished to offer contemporary holiday accommodation that gives the whole group lots of space and privacy. Set in extensive grounds with its own private pool it is a peaceful setting for a relaxed holiday in the Luberon region.

Domaine de l’Oustalet, restored property in Lourmarin

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A very spacious luxury villa rental in Provence, sleeps 24 with two private pools and tennis court, fully air conditioned, within walking distance of Lourmarin. Air conditioned throughout, with fully equipped gym and fabulous views of the surrounding Luberon hills.Set in an idyllic Provençal setting, this impressive traditional stone built Domain is a wonderfully blended mix of authentic architecture and contemporary decor. Thoughtfully renovated last year the accommodation provides ample space spread over the main house and a west wing, and caters for all the needs of a large group. Including a purpose-built double en-suite bedroom with ramp access to the pool and gardens suitable for disabled guests.

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For your vacations in Provence trust our local expertise.

Just Provence was featured in the Spring 2013 special edition of France Magazine focussing on vacations in Provence and Marseilles European Capital of Culture 2013. You can find here the advertorial presenting our services and work ethics. Because renting a luxury villa rental in the South of France with someone you can trust locally is essential to a successful holiday in Provence.

Click to enlarge

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3 things you should look for in an exclusive Provence vacation rental.

Just Provence prides itself in having a portfolio of luxury rental properties built up over a number of years with ever higher expectations. To this effect we have agents in Provence always looking to add properties of the standards we have set for our discerning clientèle.  One might wonder what are these standards? What differentiates an exclusive rental property from your run of the mill villa with pool in sunny southern France?

These standards at first seemed very subjective, what can make a property stand out to be deemed worthy of the “exclusive” title ? I asked myself that question not being quite sure  I could answer it precisely. Until Romuald, owner of L’Oliveraie, brought us his guest-book. His reviews answered the question for me and self-defined the “X-factor”. Yes, X stands  for exclusive…

August 2012

Thank you for  a wonderful, relaxing week – fabulous spot + everyone should have a massage ! I loved the massage.

(In child’s writing) I really enjoyed all the sports.

There are lots of good restaurants near the villa and lots of activities to do at the villa. Rom, thank you for a great week. Regards.
The Goods, UK

L’Oliveraie will be our case study so to speak, this review by the Good family (it is their real name) clearly states three factors that made the property stand out for the whole family. First thing mentioned is the great location, second come the activities at the house and third are the services provided by a friendly owner, affectionately called “Rom” by this family. It seems to me this simple review sums up “Rom’s” recipe for success. And this same recipe will ensure our portfolio only includes such properties and applying these principles in your choice of a holiday rental will ensure you pick exactly the right property for you and your loved ones.

Location, Location, Location !

Where is L’Oliveraie? The villa is situated near the beautiful perched village of Le Barroux. The village itself has a good selection of restaurants, nearby towns of Malaucène and Caromb ( 5 minutes away) both complete this selection with more shops, cafés and restaurants. The area has plenty to see within a 15 minutes drive radius, with two monasteries, a castle, the natural sites of Dentelles de Montmiral and Mont Ventoux and the  various perched villages (Lafare, Suzette, La Roc Alric…) hidden  behind the hills that dot the area. But don’t just take my word for it another review was all about the location :

13 – 27th Aug 2011

Dear Romuald, thank you so much for letting us stay in L’Oliveraie. We had a wonderful holiday, enjoyed Le Barroux and many of the Provence villages. We leave with many happy memories. All good wishes.

The Hobbs family (Michael,  Ingrid, Tom and Adam)

Services available “sur place”*

But as you and I know Provence is full of such jewels and travellers nowadays need more to entice them into venturing into this location rather than the hundreds at hand. I asked Romuald what were those massages the guest were mentioning and the answer I got was very detailed.

” My wife offers oriental massages  for our guests’ well being.”

These massages include the use of essential oils: argan, jasmine, orange flower, rose, ylang ylang and frangipani.

The lady of the house also offers beauty treatments on demand ( pedicure, facial care, manicure…).

And while you are relaxing from your day discovering the area your children and/or friends can relax in the pool, playing table tennis  and other activities made available on the premises.

I sit in the stone house considering fans of lavender and the small basket of blushing apricots given to us by Romuald. Cicadas sing still, morning to night. The “sanglier” maybe will visit, the clear moon will keep us awake. (…) What delightful memories.

Oleander, black blood cherries. The tick tock of our ping pong game. Maybe the dog’s instant ownership- a blessing and a curse for poor Romuald.

I’m looking forward to finding out. Merci à la prochaine fois.

A truly bespoke service.

Finally, what really makes a luxury holiday rental stand out is the little services at your disposal that aren’t really  customary but will make your life so much easier. Romuald and his wife truly understood that. They offer a welcoming dinner to their travelling guests who can just pick from a menu he sends them once they have booked their week online. He even goes that step further by offering to do their grocery shopping  prior to their arrival so the only thing they have to worry about the next day is whether to bask in the sun or go sightseeing. The couple also has a listing of babysitters, chauffeurs and even a yoga teacher should the need arise.

 Do all Just Provence properties fit exactly in this mould? The answer  is yes but in their own ways. But do all visitors to Provence wish these exact services or types of locations? The answer is no.

That is why it is important you define what you need and want for your vacation in the South of France. You can look for destinations you’ll enjoy more, a village like Le Barroux might not be the right choice for you if you enjoy going to the theatre/concert every night. If you’re more the autonomous type who likes to handcraft this vacations from start to finish then you should look into a more “independent” property. But you will benefit from Just Provence’s services along the way to making your choice.

So what truly makes a vacation rental exclusive? As mentioned above a great location that will suit your tastes, services that match your needs and a bespoke service that will answer any question.

As always you can contact me at [email protected] with any questions or requests concerning the blog, our services or Provence in general. All comments are welcome.

Dylan

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* sur place means on site in French

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How can I chase the autumn Blues away?

“Villages once bustling with the crowds of tourists now lie dormant in preparation of the coming winter…” Or are they? Summer may be over in Provence, the cicadas and humming bees may no longer be heard in the sun-baked valleys, but all is not doom and gloom. Moving into October, the countryside donned its beautiful autumn colours, the wine harvests are coming to an end. Summer festivals might be a distant memory but the Jazz and Blues scene here in the Vaucluse is in full swing.

Dark smoky piano bars aren’t exactly what comes to mind when you think of the Luberon, but despite appearances the link is strong between Provence and Jazz. There are actually several Jazz dens spread across the region, and they’re not very dark, or smoky either. I’ll let you in on a secret, there is a website all about Jazz in Provence, a true goldmine of events and concerts for all tastes, from the muddy Delta Blues to the Ragtime bands…

One place worth visiting if looking for a quality concert is Le Sonograf’ in le Thor, which has a fantastic selection of local and international artists all year round. They also sponsor the Avignon Blues Festival which has now been running for 15 years and takes place every year at the beginning of October. It recently saw Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne among others, and the festival attracts regular crowds of Blues enthusiast and curious melomaniacs. I tell my friends I fit in the first category but when I chat with some of the fanatics that attend these events I am humbled into the second category… Another Avignon  scene that offers a blues selection is Les Passagers du Zinc who, incidentally, program Popa Chubby on the 15th of October. Yes, Provence isn’t all about fragrant Thym and singing cicadas… shocking news, I know.

Did you know Oppède-le-Vieux, one of Just Provence’s luxury vacation rental locations, was restored to its great condition in recent years by the humourist and Jazz enthusiast Michel Leeb? He organises Jazz concerts and one-man shows every year in a summer festival that raises funds to help restoration of the village’s most important buildings. This is a fine example of how cultural activities benefit the region for the good of all who enjoy it, travellers and locals alike.

Prior to attending the   Kenny Wayne concert I enjoyed a delicious salad “au chêvre chaud”  at the Offset restaurant who themselves had a show on that night, but until I develop a gift of ubiquity I have to make choices… I’ll be attending the Eddie C. Campbell concert on the 6^th in Montfavet, but worry not Tim will be answering your e-mails during the week-end while I’m grooving…
Did you attend  any memorable concerts or festivals during your stay in Provence? Do you plan on attending any? What kind of events would you be interested in? Please tell us here or simply drop us an emailing at [email protected] or with your next enquiry so we can help you find exactly what you’re looking for.

Dylan

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Photo by Jumilla

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Pet Friendly luxury holiday rentals in Provence

As part of our recent partnership with Paws Abroad, Emotional Escapes has established a list of pet friendly vacation rentals.
Specific conditions regarding the pets in the property are detailed in the vacation rental’s description page. The description and location pages can be accessed by clicking on their names in the list below. This non-exhaustive list is classified by ascending order of capacity.

Two-bedroom properties

•  Nid Caché  in Lourmarin.

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Three-bedroom properties

• L’Oliveraie and Vallée du Barroux, both sleep 6 and are situated in Le Barroux.
• The Grange in Lourmarin.

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Four-bedroom properties

• La Bastide sleeps 8 is near Saignon.
• Villa Hélène near Pertuis.
• La Valentine near Lourmarin.

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Five-bedroom properties

• Les Cigales sleeps  9 situated in  Eygalières.
• Les Oliviers sleeps 9, near Bédoin at the foot of Mont Ventoux.

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• Mas des Alpilles, Lavendin and Mas Saint Sixte near the sought after village of Eygalières.
• The Quarry House sleeps 10 close to Beaumes-de-Venise.
• La Gallardo  and Mas des Sources can sleep up to 10  in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.
• Mas de Mournier sleeps up to 10 near the village of Robion.
• Panoramique  can welcome a party of 12  near Mormoiron.

• L’Amarine sleeps 12 near the large town Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.
• Santiago sleeps 12 in Eygalières.
• Fleurs des Champs can welcome 19 people near the wine rich village of  Valréas
• Villa Maria  sleeps10 near the small village of Saint Pantaléon

• Villa Brégoux in Caromb.
• Mas du Destet near Les-Baux-de-Provence.

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Six-bedroom properties

• Panoramique sleeps 12 near Mormoiron.
• Santiago near Eygalières.
• Clos Paradou near Maussane-les-Alpilles.

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Seven-bedroom properties

• Villa Azur sleeps 14 and is situated near Lourmarin.
• La Ménade, Mas Artémis and Château d’Orgon close to Eygalières.
• Mas de l’Arc near Aix-en-Provence.
• Mas des Couleurs near Laudun-L’Ardoise

Chateau d’Orgon close to Eygalières.

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Eight- to ten-bedroom properties

• Mas Montagnette and Domaine de Roussan near Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.
• Aqua Vita in Venasque.
• Domaine de Grignan near Grignan.
• Fleurs des Champs, sleeps 19 near Valréas
• Bastide de l’Arc near Aix-en-Provence.

Domaine de Roussan

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