NOTE: Altogether there are three structures on this 7,000 m2 (1.7-acre) property: La Douceur, the owner's house, and a small house once occupied by the resident guardian and his wife. The owners are available to intervene in case of a mechanical problem at the house. In no way do the owners interfere with guests' privacy or enjoyment of the property. Use of the swimming pool is limited to rental guests.

La Douceur, a six-bedroom, four-bath house near the ancient Roman town of Vaison-la-Romaine, is an ideal choice for a group of up to 12 guests, and in particular a family with children, who want a spotlessly clean residence of charm with a full array of contemporary amenities for their stay in Provence. While it is a new property - construction of the house and landscaping of the 7,000 m2 (1.7 acre) terrain were completed in 2002 - its terra cotta tile roof, beige stucco finish and sea-blue shutters identify it unmistakably as a residence in the traditional Provençal style.

The comfort offered by this property is proof that to be happy in Provence it is not necessary to inhabit a centuries-old mas or a renovated pile of stones that once housed cows and sheep. With its sparkling pool, summer kitchen and pool house, two terraces, country kitchen and fresh, cheerful ambiance, La Douceur offers a lifestyle where the great pleasures of the region - sunny weather and blue skies, excellent food and wines, and the rich historical character of its towns and villages - can be enjoyed to the fullest.

One of La Douceur's many assets is its superb location in the wine-producing region of the northern Vaucluse, which we feel is unsurpassed in Provence for both natural beauty and genuine Provencal character. This tranquil property is less than a five-minute drive to Vaison, a town known all over Provence for its lively Tuesday-morning open-air market. Vaison and its market are celebrated in word and pictures in A Taste of Provence (1996) by cookbook author and food critic Patricia Wells, who gives cooking classes at her home in Vaison.

The view enjoyed from La Douceur, equally wonderful from the pool deck, from both terraces and from all but one ground-floor bedroom, is a feature that often cannot be found at properties three times the price. In the distance are the Dentelles de Montmirail mountain chain and Mont Ventoux, the highest peak in Provence. All around are the rolling vineyards of the Côtes-du-Rhône and Côtes du Ventoux appellations, and in the foreground are the terra cotta tile roofs and sun-baked walls of Vaison, settled by the Romans more than 2,000 years ago. The ancient amphitheater at Vaison is still intact, and the ruins and museum of Roman artifacts make for a fascinating visit, perhaps to be followed by lunch in one of the many cafés along the tree-lined Place Montfort.

The floor plan of La Douceur and its exterior living spaces is designed to take maximum advantage of the property's southern orientation toward Mont Ventoux and Vaison. The living-dining room has sliding glass doors that open directly onto a wide flagstone terrace where there is a wrought-iron table and chairs for up to eight guests. Directly adjacent and up one step is yet another terrace, this one shaded by a sloping roof, with a built-in stone barbecue and another table for eight. Two of the three downstairs bedrooms have French doors that face south and open onto the terrace. The two upstairs bedrooms enjoy the same view toward Mont Ventoux, with French doors opening onto a balcony that overlooks the pool.

Guests arriving at La Douceur enter the property through a wide wrought-iron gate that can be remotely controlled from the house or car. A large foyer opens into the dining room area, where there is an attractive table, crafted of smooth limestone, for up to eight guests. In the living room area a sofa and armchairs are arranged before a stone fireplace, beside which is a television with VCR, DVD and satellite reception, including CNN and BBC. A small office with a telephone, an ideal place to set up a laptop computer, opens off the foyer, as does a guest lavatory. Throughout the house there are attractive wood doors and trim, terra cotta tile floors and white plaster walls.

A hall from the living room leads to four bedrooms, each decorated in a different style using bright Provençal colors. Three bedrooms have a chest of drawers, twin night tables with reading lamps, and a king-sized bed in a wrought-iron metal frame. The first two bedrooms share a bath with twin basins and a large stall shower. The third bedroom, the only one in the house that does not have a long-range view, has a lovely ensuite bath with tub and overhead shower. These three bedrooms use a WC that opens off the hallway. The fourth room can be a study or converted into a bedroom with a double (140 cm, 55" across) sofabed. This room has a dressing room, uses the WC off the hallway and shares the bath with twin basins and stall shower with the first and second bedrooms.

On the upper level there are two other bedrooms, similarly decorated and also with king-sized beds. One bedroom has an ensuite bath with an oval-shaped tub, and the other an ensuite bath with a stall shower. For these two bedrooms there is a separate WC that opens off the upstairs hallway. All bathrooms in the house are tiled in pretty colors and are nicely appointed. A crib is also available.

The kitchen at La Douceur, spacious and exceptionally well equipped, functions almost as an adjunct to the two terraces, which lie immediately outside through a wide glass door. Its warm country ambiance is enhanced by the tasteful choice of earth tones in the wood cabinets, tile counters and the handsome farm table that seats up to eight guests. Appliances include a dishwasher, side-by-side refrigerator with in-door icemaker, wall-mounted conventional and microwave ovens, and a semi-professional stove with five gas and two electric burners. In the pantry off the kitchen are an American-style washing machine and separate tumble dryer.

From the terraces a flagstone path leads to the 5 m X 10 m (16.5' X 32') pool, which has steps at one end. The pool is surrounded by a wide flagstone deck well and is well supplied with quality wrought-iron lounge chairs and parasols. At the far end of the pool there is a delightful pool house with a shower and WC. The summer kitchen has a long tile counter and is equipped with a sink, microwave oven and under-counter refrigerator. The terrace here is a shady place to gather for lunch or evening aperitifs while taking in the magnificent view.

Surrounding the pool and spreading across most of the property is an expansive lawn, wide and long enough for a good Frisbee game, that is planted here and there with small fruit and olive trees. The property is enclosed on all sides, and the garden is kept green by an automatic irrigation system. In various places on the terraces and around the grounds there are ceramic urns planted with brightly colored flowers.

With its large living room fireplace and powerful new central heating system, La Douceur is a good destination for all seasons. The northern Vaucluse is an especially enjoyable area to visit in the fall, when the vineyards are robed in their autumn golds and reds, as well as in the winter and spring, when the harvest is in and tastings at local vineyards can be conducted in an unhurried fashion. Within a 30 or 40-minute drive one can find all of the great appellations of the famed Côtes-du-Rhône region, among them the celebrated red wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas and Vacqueyeras, and the deliciously sweet dessert wines of Beaumes-de-Venise. Provence is often at its most charming in these times, when restaurateurs store their parasols and outdoor tables for the season, and diners are welcomed into cozy dining rooms that are warmed by fireplaces and filled with the aromas of Provençal cooking.