On the coldest and dreariest of winter days it is only natural to long for the warmth of sunshine from an azure blue sky. Some might picture themselves on a sandy beach with the sound of waves gently crashing as they roll in to shore. Our all too brief time at Les Fontaines left us daydreaming of a return where one can fully appreciate the slower pace of life in the countryside of Provence. For it is here that the dilemma du jour is whether to casually stroll into the village to get fresh croissants for breakfast or to head to one of the colorful marchés Provençal within a short drive. That is, if you can bring yourself to leave the luxurious comforts of Les Fontaines at all.

The charming village of Pernes-les-Fontaines is an easy twenty-minute drive from Avignon. Replete with history and bustling with activity, this quaint village - best known for its trail of forty fountains - has ample commerce for daily needs. With everything from the requisite bakery to the Michelin-starred restaurant, Au Fil du Temps, guests have all they could need within walking distance. It is the coveted “walk into village” factor that tops a long list of highly desirable features in a vacation home. Les Fontaines boasts this and much more.

A large automatic gate opens revealing a spacious, well-manicured courtyard directly in front of the house. On this sunny side is parking for one car in a covered space, with additional private parking for two cars on the opposite side of the house.

Breakfast in the sunlit courtyard should be obligatory, however as with any well-planned vacation, everything is optional. Since you are in a private home and not following a hotel schedule, le petit déjeuner is whenever you want it. The round breakfast table for four is located just outside the kitchen in the courtyard. It’s an ideal spot to read the paper, glance through regional guidebooks or our list of recommended restaurants for Provence. It could even serve as an outdoor office as the wireless Internet connection extends outdoors. The only noise you will hear is that of the birds singing and the fountain softly gurgling across the way.

Just beyond the courtyard is the especially inviting pool area. Slightly elevated and accessed by three wide steps, it would be hard not to spend hours poolside lounging with one toe in the water as you page through a novel (or, if you prefer, virtually flip through the latest e-book downloaded onto your Kindle). Bordered on three sides by landscaping, the 8 m x 4 m (26’ x 13’) pool is flanked with eight teak lounge chairs topped with cushions fitted in custom covers. The picture perfect scene is completed by two oversized parasols and large glazed pots with ornamental citrus trees. There is an additional sitting area located on ground level between the pool and pool house. This shady nook features another fountain and a small table with chairs.

The oversized pool house built in white stone with a high vaulted ceiling and exposed beams could easily serve as a venue for a black tie cocktail party; however the dress code at Les Fontaines, as in all of Provence, is casual. With a long rectangular wooden table for twelve, a built-in BBQ, sink, excellent lighting and last but not least, an iPod dock, it’s where guests will naturally gravitate and congregate for al fresco dining. A second seating area at one end has three chairs, a couch and coffee table. This area is ideal for after-dinner drinks and relaxed conversation away from the dining table.

The private grounds are enclosed by cypress trees and filled in with extensive perennial gardens which bloom in four carefully planned color phases throughout the year. The lush setting complete with a water garden and created by Michel Sémini, one of the most sought after landscape architects in France, is nothing short of sublime.

An additional green space with flat grassy areas is located behind the house. This shady side has lawn suitable for children to play, a small orchard of fruit trees and a greenhouse which may one day be converted into additional outdoor living space. Tucked into a far corner is an aviary which is home to a few exotic birds that are cared for by the gardener.

To the right of the main entrance is the well-equipped kitchen with white cabinets and light granite countertops. A window above double sinks overlooks the courtyard and allows plenty of natural light to enter. A Nespresso machine serves up coffeehouse-style beverages to be enjoyed with freshly baked pains au chocolats and croissants from the bakery. For guests who prefer more traditional and less technical coffee preparation there is both a French press and a regular drip coffeemaker. Appliances include a stove with four gas and two electric burners, a wall oven, dishwasher and double door refrigerator-freezer with built-in icemaker and water dispenser. There is a handsome marble table which seats eight. Given the region’s stellar track record for sunshine we would feel safe betting that this dining area will seldom be used save for the rare occasion when outdoor dining is not possible during warmer months as well as in the off-season. A separate panty off the kitchen has a second fridge.

Between the kitchen and the living room is a simple yet elegant sitting room. Tastefully decorated with botanical prints and chair rail height paneling, some sections of which cleverly double as hidden storage, this room also has a small library of books, a number of which are in English. Furnished with two comfortable armchairs arranged in front of a working fireplace, this cozy room is well-suited for reading or quiet conversation. There is also a stereo system with CD player.

Beyond the sitting room is the living room. Just large enough to accommodate a full house for a quiet night in or the unusual rainy day, this room can serve many purposes. At one end is a desk which can be used to set up an office. The other end has a flat panel TV with satellite reception including CNN and BBC and a multi-zone DVD player. A couch, two arm chairs and two ottomans surround around a long coffee table. A second working fireplace completes this area. Apart from a contemporary painting which adds a splash of color to the room, the exposed beams and other decorative touches are very much in keeping with the design and décor of the home - a pleasing combination of style, sophistication and comfort.

All the above assumes you can easily wake from the sweet slumber afforded by one of four sumptuous guestrooms. All bedrooms have sisal carpeting, bedside tables with lamps in addition to accent lighting and windows which overlook the courtyard and pool and bring in natural light.

Stairs from the entrance lead to the second floor where the first two bedrooms are located. To the right is the first bedroom which has a queen-sized bed. While it is the smallest bedroom it is perhaps the most quaint and charming. With exposed beams, a striped fabric headboard, an antique dresser and built-in closets for storage, this room decorated in warmer tones will not disappoint. Guests have access to a bathroom with double vanity, stall shower (no tub), and a WC.

The second bedroom, on the left of the landing, is a bright and airy room with a queen-sized bed with a sculpted wooden headboard, a small dresser and ample additional storage from built-in closets. The ensuite bath, which can also be accessed from the hall, has a double vanity, bathtub, separate walk-in shower and a WC.

The third and fourth guest rooms are on the third floor. The third bedroom has a king-sized bed and ensuite bath with single vanity, glass stall shower (no tub) and WC. This is the largest bedroom and feels especially commodious because of the tall ceiling. For storage there is an armoire. Two large windows flood the room with natural light and also provide the best views of the courtyard and pool area.

The fourth bedroom is a half flight up from the third bedroom. This spacious room with tall, slanted ceilings has two twin beds and does not have a private bath, which makes it an ideal choice for younger guests. The beds can be put together to accommodate a couple if they are willing to share one of the other three baths. Natural light enters through a skylight and a traditional architectural feature known as an oeil de boeuf. This small circular window provides an overview of the courtyard, pool and garden area. Depending upon the composition of the group guests in this room can share the third bedroom’s bath or one of the two full baths on the second floor. There is an additional WC on the ground floor off the main entrance.

Laundry facilities are in a separate room on the ground floor. Guests have a washer, dryer, folding table, sink, iron and ironing board at their disposal.

In addition to its close proximity to Avignon, Les Fontaines is also conveniently located between Carpentras and Isle sur la Sorgue. The Friday morning market in Carpentras is one of the largest and most colorful in the region. Isle sur la Sorgue’s Sunday market is equal parts antiques and traditional Provençal marché. Guests can also take advantage of the organic market in Velleron held nightly from 6:00-8:30.

A short drive in the direction of St.-Didier is the Auberge de Beaucet, a not-to-be missed restaurant located in the sleepy hilltop village of Le Beaucet. The panoramic views from the terrace are reason enough; however the excellent service coupled with dishes that are as delicious as they are attractive in presentation, well merits a visit. There are dozens of notable restaurants within 30 minutes’ drive as well as innumerable vineyards of the Côtes du Rhone designation. Pernes les Fontaines has the enviable position of having easy access to the Vaucluse Plateau and its many wine villages as well as the Lubéron and its famed perched villages.

Available year-round for a minimum of one week and attractively priced, Les Fontaines is sure to become a fast client favorite. The perfect cure for the winter blues? A week or more at this elegant home is sure to relieve any and all symptoms. Possible side effects include long-lasting happy memories of a carefree stay in the sunny South of France and reoccurring daydreams of a return stay in the future. Fortunately Just France is just an e-mail or phone call away to arrange for first-time visits and inevitable return stays at this special new addition to our collection.