La Tour des Anges, beautiful house in a medieval village

Description

The house is complete with original features and is decorated stylishly with many vintage pieces. The two bedrooms and the living room all have windows with views of the valley, with miles of vineyards and fabulous sunsets. The en-suite bathroom, inside the medieval watchtower, has view (from the bath!) through three arrow-slits. The substantial stone walls keep the house fantastically cool in summer and warm in winter. The spacious kitchen opens out into the delightful walled garden (which also has a beautiful view through two old windows in the rampart wall). There is a stone bench around the old fig tree and plantings of lavender, herbs and other aromatics.

Sablet is an extremely attractive, walled medieval village - just strolling the streets you will discover architectural gems, from the fountains to the ancient doors of the some of the oldest houses. From the Place des Barrys (old Provençal for 'ramparts'), inside the walls, you can watch the sunset across miles of vineyards from a medieval watch tower! The church, at the heart of the village, dates from the Romanesque period. The clock on the tower was installed in 1816 and its four faces are large enough to be seen from the vineyards surrounding Sablet. The larger of its two bells was founded in 1694 and the smaller in 1818. There are also two chapels in the village: St Nazaire, built between the 12th and 14th centuries, now deconsecrated and used as an exhibition space; and St Roch, built in 1720 in thanks to the saint, whom the people of Sablet believed had spared the village from the plague.

The 'Compagnons des Barrys', the ramparts preservation society, is very active. Fund-raising over the past few years has enabled the restoration of a medieval watch tower and the Place des Barrys as public spaces; an ancient olive mill in the lower parts of one of the rampart houses, also open to the public, and the creation of 'L'Oustau di Barrys', an exhibition space for art, photography or objects of historical interest, within the rampart walls.

All year round there are events and festivals: The 'Fête Votive', which takes place when the grapes have ripened and are nearly ready to be harvested, and lends the village a carnival atmosphere, with tables set up in the village square for an 'aïoli' dinner, followed by dancing. The internationally renowned 'Journées du Livre' book festival, with hundreds of authors signing books and doing readings. The prize awarded for the 'best first novel' is the author's weight in wine - a giant set of scales is set up in the square for all to see! There are frequent evening events at 'Le Gravillas', the village wine co-operative, with trestle tables put out for lengthy dinners in the shade of the trees, and plenty of wine flowing!

Live music and a simple fixed menu dinner at the bar often takes place on Fridays, and draws young and old alike to the village square. A mountain bike race round Sablet is run every year - quite a spectacle, as riders of all ages and abilities tackle the steep streets and even steps of the old village! ... read more »hide »

Availability

Seasonal rates

* prices may be subject to change at the advertisers discretion

* rates are per property

NOTE: All prices include linen and towels. A damage deposit of €200 is payable on arrival and will be returned on departure.

Discounts may be available for longer lets (3 weeks or more).

Extra facilities available, only if requested at time of booking:
Secure garage for bicycles or motorbikes (no charge)
Mountain bike hire (€50 per week)

Full terms and conditions will be sent out before booking is confirmed.

If you would like to book, or require any further information, please contact us by email

Minimum stay 4 nights - we usually have weekly bookings but please contact us to see if we can fit you in for a shorter or longer stay. Discounts offered for long lets.

General information

Room information

On-site facilities