Maison Ochre is a spacious two-story villa whose exterior is attractively finished in the ochre color that is characteristic of the soil of Roussillon (thus the village's name) and its immediate environs. The house is an ideal escape either for couples looking for a tranquil vacation with an opportunity to explore Provence at their leisure, or for parents with children who want a swimming pool and other features (like the poolside kitchen and dining area) that are conducive to outdoor family activities. The property is of good size (1.5 acres), the décor bright and cheerful, and the amenities modern throughout.

The living room of Maison Ochre is especially delightful in all seasons of the year. Here a pair of handsome sofas and a large cocktail table are arranged around a Provençal fireplace of white stucco. Light pours in through two sets of French doors that open onto a large stone terrace with a lovely view of the Lubéron Valley. The floors throughout are terra cotta.

There are two bedrooms on ground level: The comfortable and very private master bedroom, which has a 140 cm (55" across) double bed and pretty ensuite bathroom with bathtub and double sinks in white tile and black accents; and a second bedroom with twin beds and its own ensuite shower-only bath with separate WC.

A stone staircase leads from the living room to the upper level, where there are two more bedrooms, one with a 140 cm double bed and one with twin beds. These bedrooms share a bathroom with shower and a separate WC. There are screens on all of the windows in the bedrooms and bathrooms.

The open-style kitchen is separated from the living room by a countertop, and is only steps from the large outside terrace, where there are a table and chairs for outside dining. The kitchen is modern and outfitted with the usual appliances, including a dishwasher. The washing machine is in a separate utility room; there is no dryer. Other amenities include a color television with satellite reception including CNN, Eurosport and a cartoon channel for children, stereo, and telephone.

Beyond the spacious terrace lies the pool and a lawn with flowerbeds. One of the nicest features of this lovely property is the poolhouse, where there is a fully equipped outdoor kitchen where casual meals can be prepared and enjoyed poolside.

The hillside village of Roussillon, declared by the French government to be one of the prettiest in France, is only 1.5 km. away, which is a three-minute drive or a walk of about 20 minutes. Roussillon has a wide variety of restaurants, cafés, art galleries and interesting shops, and is perfectly situated for exploring the Lubéron Valley and other parts of Provence. Apt, which has a supermarket and a colorful outdoor street market every Saturday morning, and Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, world-famous for its Sunday morning antiques market, are both less than 25 minutes away.