It’s the height.
The entrancing bed and breakfast Le Mas Perréal sits at about 1,000 feet on the southern flank of the Provencal village of Saint Saturnin-lès-Apts, offering sweeping vistas of the countryside and the Luberon mountains across the Calavon valley. (BTW: The same view is shared by one of the most expensive resorts in the Luberon. See below.)
Saint Saturnin-lès-Apts is tucked up against a cliff in the foothills of the Vaucluse mountains, 9Km north of Apt, and the same distance northeast from the busy town of Roussillon. The village is Provence depressurized: authentic and quiet, it serves its local inhabitants rather than the tourist set that flocks to Roussillon and Gordes.
Vineyards and cherry orchards surround Le Mas Perréal, making for a quintessential Provencal country experience.
Graceful elegance comes to mind when describing the individually decorated four double rooms and one suite at Le Mas Perréal with their period antiques and Provençal fabrics.
All the beds are queens, and the en suite bathrooms have hair dryers and large walk-in Italian showers. WiFI is provided.
Back to elevation: the rooms have terraces and private sitting areas from which to take in the sweeping views of the Luberon countryside while enjoying an “apéro.”
You can also take in the valley views from lounge chairs at the swimming pool.
In the renovated farm house, there is a sitting room, and a pantry with a refrigerator, plates and glasses for self-service snacks and meals. Guests revel in the delicious and generous breakfasts, served by your hosts Elizabeth and Kevin.
Looking to stock up on a local AOC Luberon wine for the week, the Domaine de Séoule is down the road at Les Bassaquets.
Don’t miss the local farmers market in the village every Tuesday morning. The market in nearby Apt is on Saturday morning.
Basics
Le Mas Perréal, Quartier La Fortune 84490, St. Saturnin-lès-Apt, Tel 04 90 75 46 31, Email: masperreal@gmail.com, Website
Directions: Le Mas is off of highway D2 about a mile southwest of the village.
For haute cuisine dining, the posh Domaine des Andéols, one of the most stunning properties in the Luberon, is virtually next door to the Mas. Dinner menu is 45 euros.