Mas de la Tour is a grand property, with lush gardens, vast public rooms and a labyrinth of bedrooms. Its location a mere 500 meters from the center of Fontvieille adds a distinct level of convenience to the list of amenities which includes A/C units in six of the seven bedrooms, window screens throughout and highspeed wireless Internet access. With its lovely pool and stately terrace the property is perfect for easy appreciation of the delights of the Provençal lifestyle, from a quick walk into town for daily croissants to a slow stroll back home after a lunch at the elegant La Régalido or the traditional La Table du Meunier, both located in the village.

The property can be entered from the front where there is a short drive and parking for several cars. The rear entrance offers a long driveway and parking for multiple vehicles. The main terrace has several eating areas with parasols and a built-in stone barbecue. Past the annex and apartment is a covered pavilion with a wet bar and additional tables and chairs.

The oldest part of the house dates from the 17^th-Century and comprises the salon and dining rooms as well as the kitchen built into the rock. The house was enlarged over the next 200 years and the periodic construction additions means that modern-day occupants need to watch their step between rooms and make use of the sturdy rope banisters to navigate the various staircases, each with its own character (and step depth).

The main entry from the terrace is into a voluminous salon with several sofas and plush armchairs surrounding a wooden coffee table before an enormous stone fireplace and carved armoire. The dining room shares the vaults of the salon and includes a handsome oval table with space for six to eight in upholstered chairs and a glass-front buffet lining one whole wall. A gorgeous stone fountain graces one corner of this elegant space.

The kitchens are accessed from the salon, the first being mainly a preparation and pantry area, with several counters, large refrigerator, double sink and a portable stereo. There are two low thresholds to cross into the main kitchen, one about 5’11” and the lower one about 5’9”. Modern-day occupants need to be mindful of these exposed beams, especially before their first cup of coffee! The main kitchen is very large, with the appliances and counters forming an L with a wooden table for four to six in the middle. Along the other wall is a huge buffet with storage. The main kitchen has a Godin stove with four gas burners, a large burner for pasta and double ovens. Other appliances include two dishwashers, two-door refrigerator, toaster and other small appliances. The laundry room is accessed from the main terrace into a cellar room with washing machine and separate dryer. A powder room opens off the dining room.

From the dining room several steps lead to two smaller salons. The first has a conversation area and storage closets. The second salon is a TV room with a loveseat and two armchairs. There is a Phillips widescreen TV and DVD player. This room also has access to the terrace. A staircase between the salons leads to a large guest bedroom with queen-sized bed. This bedroom is notable for its exposed beams, its view over the garden from multiple windows, its double closets and its equally large ensuite bath, tiled in green with dressing area, tub with handheld shower and WC. A feature that bears mention is the green carpeting in the room and the bath and the bath fixtures, which are in fine shape but give the suite a slightly dated feel.

The master bedroom is upstairs from the salon. This is a large room with king-sized bed, double in-wall closet and a long night table behind the bed. The ensuite bath is tiled in yellow with a tub and hand-held shower, wide single vanity and WC. Next to this room is the Cocteau salon, a small room with inlay stone in patterns and pink and green paint. Jean Cocteau, the famous poet and filmmaker, was a friend of one of the former owners of Mas de la Tour, and this small salon was inspired and possibly decorated by him.

On the top level are two more guest bedrooms, each with old terra cotta tile floors and area rugs. One bedroom has a king-sized bed, wall closet and views over the garden and the rooftop. The second has a queen-sized bed, corner armoire and carved wooden chest. These rooms share a bath on the hall in blue tile, with tub and handheld shower and WC.

The former stable houses the annex and comprises a spacious salon with comfortable couches with a large TV with DVD player on the ground floor and one bedroom suite on each of the two levels above. The first bedroom has a king-sized bed, in-wall closet, views over the pool and an ensuite bath in blue tile with stall shower and WC. The second bedroom has twin beds and exposed beams. Its bathroom is identical but in white tile instead of blue. These bedrooms are somewhat less formal than the bedrooms in the main house.

The apartment entrance is beyond the annex and consists of a salon with kitchenette on the ground floor and an upstairs guest suite overlooking the pool with queen-sized bed and built-in closets on either side. The bathroom has a small glass shower, single vanity and WC.

All of the bedrooms except for the annex one have an A/C unit, and all windows have screens. For off-season rentals a large fireplace in the main salon and updated heating system keeps the house cozy. The impressively thick stone walls make climate control a breeze at Mas de la Tour no matter the season.

The caretaker of Mas de la Tour is a delightful Frenchwoman who has been with the house for years, through several owners. She keeps the house perfectly tidy during three of cleaning daily except Sunday, and she can lay out breakfast with fresh bread from the bakery each morning. She is also available for extra cleaning, personal laundry or cooking at 10 € per hour.

Fontvieille has an important history and has been a significant settlement for thousands of years. Its proximity to both Saint-Remy-de-Provence and Tarascon makes it convenient for exploring the whole region, from the towns and villages of the immediate Alpilles area, to Avignon and the villages of the Lubéron and the Côtes du Rhône to the north and east to the cities of Arles and Nîmes to the west. The airport at Marseille is one hour from the house, and the TGV station at Avignon 30 minutes.