The Picture of Paradise

The Picture of Paradise: Provence-Alps-French Riviera

In the heart of Pernes les Fontaines, which translates to "the Fountain Town", this distinctive villa is located among some of the most striking landscapes France has to offer. Surrounded by the towering trees of the Vaucluse pine forest, and boasting a magnificent Mediterranean garden, you don't have to venture any further than your own front door to be at one with nature.

Begin your days with coffee on the patio – the master bedroom even has its own private terrace with comfy deckchairs if you want to take a few moments for yourself. The outdoor pool provides cooling emerald waters where you make a splash each morning and leave the villa feeling invigorated.

When it comes to exploring, there's plenty to see and do – the nearby village has inspired Impressionist paintings throughout the years, and is within an easy distance if you're in need of some creative inspiration yourself. Find a few of the 40 fountains that are the area's namesake, or visit the Ferrande Tower and its spectacular 13th-century frescoes.

After a day of soaking up all of the historical and cultural significance, this beautiful part of France has to offer, head home to enjoy a family dinner, cooked in the outdoor kitchen. The only place to dine is on the stone patio, where you can watch the sun go down and the sky change colour. If the evening turns chilly, head inside to fire up the log-burning stove, then get cosy with a glass of wine.

Home truths:
*This home is spread out across two floors with no internal lit
*There's free private parking available here, with space for three cars – due to the location of this home we'd recommend renting a car to get around
*Your host can provide a cot for free upon request
*You'll have the whole home to yourself here, so there won't be any other guests using the pool
*The swimming pool isn't fenced, so children will need to be supervised at all times
*Though there isn't a dedicated desk here, the dining table doubles up as a laptop-friendly workspace