Villa Romantic Bon - BEAU110

Just 1 mile from the historic twin towns of Beaucaire and Tarascon, you are very centrally located in the circle created by beautiful Avignon, St Remy de Provence, Arles, Nimes, the Pont du Gard, Uzes and Orange and conveniently no more than 12 miles (20 kms) from each - and no fewer than 5 of these are UNESCO World Heritage sites ! It is only about 45 minutes drive to the Mediterranean - to the sandy beaches of the old seaside town of St Maries de la Mer and the medieval walled town of Aigues Mortes - via the beautiful Camargue.

Villa Romantic is just 1 mile (1.5 km) out of the historic medieval town of Beaucaire, with its imposing 12th century ruined castle perched high on a rock overlooking the majestic river Rhône. There is a delightful river marina crammed with colourful boats of all shapes and sizes which is bordered with restaurants and bars full of local atmosphere and character. Alongside the marina the square is shaded by the typical spreading plane trees (platanes) so loved in village and town squares throughout this region. There are markets on Thursdays and Sundays selling everything including lots of local produce. There are countless vineyards to visit within a 10-mile radius.

Villa Romantic is just 1 mile (1½ km) out of the historic Medieval town of Beaucaire, (between Arles and Avignon).

The beautiful walled city of Avignon - a UNESCO World Heritage Site - the Medieval city of Popes - the biggest gothic palace in the world and the legendary bridge made famous by the song known to every child: 'Sur le Pont, d'Avignon'.

Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and the impressive Greco-Roman archaeological site of Glanum, and the beautiful retreat where Van Gogh spent a prolific year inspired by the luminosity of the light in this region.

11th Century Les Baux-de-Provence dominating the Provence landscape.

The Roman centre of Arles described by Constantine as 'the little Rome in Gaul', the great obelisk, the theatre, the amphitheatre arena and the Cloisters of Saint-Trophime.

Nîmes with its impressive Roman arena. The beautiful Roman 'Jardin Des Fontaines' which it has been said inspired the gardens at Versailles, and the 'Maison Carreé' much like the Parthenon in Athens.

Pont du Gard - another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the incredible triple height bridge built by the Romans is recognised as one of the finest and most grand pieces of architecture antiquity has bequeathed to us. The aqueduct level delivered pure water to the Roman baths and fountains at Nîmes for over 200 years.

Uzés, a delightfully restored Medieval town, the seat of the Dukes of Uzés (the first Dukes of France) for over a thousand years, and its lovely cathédrale with its tall tower unique in France and similar to the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Aix-en-Provence, a city of art and culture, home of Cezanne and the city of a hundred fountains.

The Luberon - Gordes, Menerbes, Bonnieux and Roussillon, made famous by Peter Mayle's best- seller 'A Year in Provence' and our favourite film of all time - 'A Good Year' starring Russell Crowe, Marion Cotillard and Albert Finney.

Marseille with its picturesque old port and beautiful church high up on the hill (go up on the little 'street train touristique') overlooking the city, the Mediterranean, and the fortress island, Isle d'If - home of Alexander Dumas' Count of Monte Cristo.

Montpellier, elegant and classical, rather like a Paris of the South.

Orange, the great Imperial Roman theatre - yet another UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Camargue - calm and mysterious - try to take a Land Rover safari or a boat trip through the lagoons and waterways.
Aigues-Mortes, a beautifully preserved town completely enclosed by ramparts. The French kingdom's first Mediterranean port and the departure point for the Orient and the Crusades.

Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer - like Mediterranean seaside resorts were 70 years ago - quiet and gentle with unspoilt and uncrowded sandy beaches.

Beaucaire was such an important market place in France throughout the Middle Ages that prices struck here for commodities such as wine and cheese, metals and timber, fruit and meat, leather and silk, pots and pans became the norm throughout France.

Its Medieval Fairs attracted buyers and sellers from all over Europe and Asia and there are countless ancient buildings which bear witness to Beaucaire's great past. The town is steeped in history and still today there are regular markets, fairs, festivals and celebrations commemorating bygone days and traditions.

Beaucaire looks across the Rhône to its equally lovely neighbour Tarascon with the marvellous Good King Rene's castle, one of the best preserved Medieval fortresses in the whole of France; it's partly fortified old town, the 17th Century Town Hall and grand 19th Century theatre - originally a 16th Century abbey.

The Roman town of Arles is also only a 10 min drive. Many Roman and Romanesque monuments are still in use today; the amphitheatre provides the setting for bullfights and concerts, and what remains of the Roman theatre plays host to formal concerts and traditional folk festivities throughout the year.

The Cathédrale Saint-Trophime, with its magnificent doorway depicting the Last Judgement carved in stone and its beautiful cloisters, is open to the public for visits and Sunday services.
The necropolis, or Alyscamps, is today a narrow, tree-lined avenue, located just outside the old town.

Arles also boasts one of the regions finest markets every Wednesday and Friday. Overflowing with Provençal goodies- fruits and vegetables, lavender products, soaps, olives, flowers, honey... The list is endless and makes the Arles market an event not to be missed!

Also not to be missed is a day out to Avignon to discover the winding streets and lovely Provençal shops. Here you'll find the wonderful 'Pope's Palace' - the former home of the Pope which really is spectacular. And the infamous 'half-bridge'!

For wine lovers, this is paradise; domaines and tasting almost on every corner.

Villa Romantic is ideally placed for visiting all of central and western (Roman) Provence, the Luberon, the Camargue, the Gard region of Languedoc-Rousillon and the uncrowded part of the Mediterranean.
While at our holiday villa in Provence, you should try to give yourselves enough time here to experience just a few of the wonderful sites in this fascinating part of the South of France.
Villa Romantic was built around an old circular stone tower with windows certainly dating from 1820.
Our villa in Provence has been completely renovated with style and an abundance of love and care to provide very appealing, elegant and welcoming accommodation. It combines great charm, many original antique Provençal features and pretty and decorative touches, with modern-day comforts. Important characteristics for a holiday villa in Provence.
The approach to Villa Romantic is up a steep and winding private lane that leads to just a few other Provence villas set amongst pine and olive trees. You enter the grounds through big decorative wrought iron gates which are electronically controlled, thus ensuring privacy and a feeling of exclusivity. Our Provence villa is in a commanding hilltop position - private but not isolated - and very importantly, you are not overlooked nor are you overlooking any other homes. These are desirable and rare features for a holiday villa in Provence.