Provence Senses Romantic Retreat
Rhône, France
Provence Senses
- Safari tent for 2 from £135 per night (read our low price promise)
- One king-size bed
Not suitable for children
Not suitable for pets
Overview
The tent sits in the dappled shade of lantern-strewn trees, across the meadow from the owner’s beautiful 18th century olive mill. The charm continues with a bespoke canopied bed and a rustic outdoor shower, heated by the sun. There’s an easel each to get creative with and a large old wine vat filled with cool water to escape from the summer heat.
Each morning, a wonderfully continental breakfast of fresh baguettes, pastries, juice and coffee will be brought to you on a charming wooden trailer of an open-top tractor, to be eaten under the shade of the ancient green oak trees. Climb the rope ladder up to the huge oversized hammock for a snooze or a read, suspended in the trees.
20 acres of land are yours to explore. One wild, overgrown path leads to the canal and a perfect secluded picnic spot. Another route will take you to a private outdoor bathtub where you can soak to the tune of birdsong and the chirp of crickets - leave your shower radios at home.
Essentials
The important stuff
- Check in: 2 pm
- Check out: 11 am
- Please bring shoes/ flip flops for walking in the woods as it can be prickly in bare feet!
- Sleeping arrangements
- One king-size bed
Cooking
- Due to high risk fire area there are no cooking facilities but a sumptuous breakfast hamper is delivered on an old wooden trailer at the edge of the woods where the tents are nestled
- Access to a fridge
Washing
- Outdoor solar shower in private bathroom under the trees
- Private outdoor compost loo which is just a few steps away around the back of the tent
Heating, lighting & bedding
- Well equipped solar lighting hanging from the trees and rechargeable bedside lamps, inside and outside the tent
- No heating necessary
- Bedding and towels provided
Entertainment
- There is a range of inspirational books, playing cards and Scrabble in the tent
- There is a plunge pool made from an old wine vat to cool off in
Getting there
La Tauliere, Chemin de L'Ilon Saint Martin de Crau, Rhone Alpes 13310 France
By train:
- The nearest station is Avignon TGV , Arles, St Martin de Crau
- There is no public transport in the area
- Pick-ups can be arranged directly with the owner - prices will depend on station
By car:
- La Tauliere is situated on the D27 between Saint Martin de Crau and Maussane
- From Saint Martin de Crau: cross the town in the direction of Maussane, cross Caphan, go under the modern aqueduct, take the road Chemin de L'Ilon at 800m and take the left turning, then follow the road signs to La Taulière
- From Maussane-les-Alpilles: cross Maussane in the direction of Saint Martin de Crau, after a bridge on the channel of the Baux, take to the right at 800m to Chemin de L'Ilon, then follow the road signs to La Taulière
GPS:
- E 4°47' 31.0''
- N 43°40' 48.0''
- (or put La Tauliere,13310 St Martin de Crau and you will arrive at the main house)
- You can park as near to the tent as you like
Food & Drink
At Provence Senses
A sumptuous breakfast hamper is delivered on an old wooden trailer to the edge of the woods where the tents are nestled and can be eaten under a large old green oak tree. You will receive a small welcome pack on arrival
Local shops
The nearest shops are in Maussane Les Alpilles and St Martin de Crau where there are fruit and vegetable markets on Mondays and Fridays. Both towns are 2/3 kilometres away
Pubs & Bars
- Pizza del Gusto - 78b Avenue de La Vallee de Beaux , Maussane Les Alpilles - Amazing food
- Fleur de Thyme - 15 Avenue de la Vallee des Beaux
- Le Restaurant L”Oustaloun - Maussane Les Alpilles
Activities
At Provence Senses
- Long walks around the forest
- Lie and read high up in the trees on the large canopy net
- Take a boat on the river/ canal nearby
- Take a dip in the wine vat cooling pot
Places to visit
- St Remy de Provence
- Beaux de Provence
- Saint Marie de La Mer
- Eygalieres
- Avignon
- The Luberon
- Aix en Provence
- Les Alpilles
Outdoor & active
- Swim in the sea, only 30 minutes away
- Boating on the nearby canal
- Great walks around the property
Meet your hosts
Meet Hugh & Celina:
Hugh & Celina make this place extra special! They're extremely warm and welcoming, interesting and interested in others. They bought the property in 2015 realising a dream to live the good life in Provence and they both spend a large part of their time working outside on the property, for the most part under clear blue skies with the occasional Mistral wind. They previously owned a B&B in the outskirts of Paris. Hugh is British, from Chester, and worked for many years as a fashion photographer, shooting for Vogue, Tatler, and Glamour to name a few. Over the last couple of years, Hugh has taken on his own project of photographing underwater nudes, and created his own book ‘Aqua Nacida’ (http://www.hugharnold.com). Celina is Argentinian and a painter.
The owners (trilingual in English, French and Spanish) live just across the meadow from the tent with their children (8-16) and small dog, Potter. They are laid-back, chatty, informal, friendly and generous-spirited - natural hosts who want to make their guests’ stay as comfortable as possible.
Our guests say...
We stayed here on our honeymoon and had the most wonderful few days. Hugh and Celina were brilliant hosts, they couldn't have been more welcoming especially waiting for us to arrive much later than we'd predicted! Nothing was too much trouble. It was fantastic just enjoying being outside, spending lazy afternoons in the hammock in the trees, cooling off in the wine vat and falling asleep to the sound of owls and crickets at night. The breakfast each morning was absolutely delicious with fresh fruit, granola, bread and pastries - it kept us going all day. So many beautiful villages nearby and French markets to explore. Thank you Hugh & Celina!
05/09/2017Jennie
It was great. Hugh had gone to Spain but Celina and the family had welcomed us so much. It was very lovely place as well. Great views days and nights. Just amazing and want to thank the hosts so much for the great experience.
19/07/2017Woo Jeon
The tent is beautiful and the individual touches make it feel like a hotel rather than a tent in the woods! I loved the outdoor bathroom and the solar -heated shower was always warm! Bathing in the woods is an experience not to be missed as is trying to manoeuvre to carry wine and glasses up the rope ladder and into the hammock under the stars! The inspiring books and scrabble also gave us great entertainment and and discussion topics!
The breakfasts of fresh melon, blueberries and mango with as many pastries, jams and breads that you could imagine, were delicious -and great fun with the manner in which it they are delivered!
Above all however was the kindness and generosity of both Hugh and Celine. They are so personable and helpful -particularly when we were almost stranded for a night when it was time to leave. Out of our 2 week holiday -it was this stay that stood out for us both! We would not hesitate to recommend this to anyone who wants to relax, recuperate and be romantic! There is plenty of space to be as a couple, but if you're feeling sociable too, you can always lie by the pool on the comfy sun beds where there are a handful of guests staying in the house. Our only regret was not staying for longer!
09/08/2016Helen
We had a wonderful two night stay at Provence Senses Romantic Retreat. Hugh and Celina have created an immaculate, unique and calm little retreat. The peace and quiet was just what we needed and we spent far too many hours hanging out in the treetop hammock with the cicadas singing all around us. The tent and private bathroom were absolutely beautiful, simple but luxurious. For us real luxury was the simplicity and calm - if we came again we would definitely stay longer. I am still dreaming of the gorgeous breakfasts!
21/06/2016Anne-Louise
A beautifully romantic place to unwind and free your imagination. Hugh and Celina were extremely welcoming hosts and I left feeling relaxed and inspired!
31/05/2016Florence for Canopy & Stars
Love this place? Tell everyone!
Booking Terms
Canopy & Stars low price promise
Book with us in confidence knowing you won’t find that place cheaper elsewhere. All of the prices we display are set and matched by our Owners. (In this world of foreign currency, we do have to say 'subject to exchange rates' for some of our European places.)
What does ‘from price’ mean?
Our ‘from price’ is based on a four night stay in low season and designed to help you to compare different prices across our collection. Some of our Owners vary their nightly rates and check in days throughout the year, so it may differ from the rate quoted below the calendar. It is quite common (although by no means universal) for places to charge a little more in peak season or for shorter stays, to cover changeover costs. Consider booking longer stays during the cooler months if you’re looking for the lowest nightly rates.
Agency Terms & Conditions
Except where otherwise specified, we Sawday’s Canopy & Stars Ltd Company No 09088366 of Merchants House, Wapping Road, Bristol, BS1 4RW act only as an Agent in respect of all bookings we take and/or make on your behalf. Sawday’s Canopy & Stars is part of the Alastair Sawday’s Group of Companies. We accept no liability in relation to any contract you enter into or for any services or arrangements you purchase (“Booking(s)”) or for the acts or omissions of any supplier(s) or other person(s) or party(ies) connected with any Booking. For all Bookings, your contract will be with the supplier of the Booking in question, and in most cases this will be the owner of the property you’ll be staying at (“Owner(s)”). When making your Booking we will arrange for you to enter into a contract with the Owner of the Booking. Your Booking with us is subject to these Agency Terms & Conditions and any specific booking conditions of the relevant Owner(s) you contract with. The Owner’s booking conditions may limit and/or exclude the Owner’s liability to you.
You may decide to make more than one Booking with us at the same time. The price charged in total for more than one Booking will always equal the prices charged separately for each individual Booking. All Bookings are available to be purchased separately at the same price as they are when more than one Booking is made. This means that any multiple Bookings do not constitute a package as defined in the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992.
By making a booking, you agree that:-
- you have read these Agency Terms & Conditions and agree to be bound by them;
- you consent to our use of your information in accordance with our Privacy Policy;
and
- you are over 18 years of age and where there may be age restrictions in place, you declare that you and all members of your party are of the appropriate age.
The Canopy & Stars online booking system enables Guests to make Bookings 24 hours a day. A Booking is confirmed on receipt of a 25% non-refundable deposit for all Bookings with check in dates of more than 10 weeks away. For all Bookings that have a check in date of less than 10 weeks before check in, payment for the Booking will be required in full and the entire Booking will be non-refundable. The Canopy & Stars telephone booking line is open Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm. When using the online enquiry form, for those Properties without online booking, please allow 24 working hours for us to contact you by telephone to confirm the Booking. If we are unable to reach you by phone we will attempt to contact you by email. We will contact you during Canopy & Stars working hours (Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm). Online or email enquiries will be dealt with in the order they are received, but please be aware that we cannot guarantee reservation of your selected dates until the receipt of suitable payment. Therefore, if possible, we do recommend that you book on the Canopy & Stars website using the online booking system.
1. Booking and payments
1.1 In order to confirm your chosen Booking, you must pay a non-refundable deposit as required by the Owner of the Booking in question (or full payment if booking within 10 weeks of the date of your check-in).
1.2 Your Booking is confirmed and a contract between you and the Owner will exist when we receive payment of the deposit and send you a booking confirmation on the Owner’s behalf. This booking confirmation will normally be sent out within 24 hours in the case of email and seven working days in the case of post, and will contain the details of your Booking and of payments made and due. If you have not received your booking confirmation within the specified time, please notify us as soon as possible by email (bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk). Please check your confirmation carefully and report any incorrect or incomplete information to us immediately. As we act only as booking Agent, we have no responsibility for any errors in any documentation except where an error is made by us.
1.3 Where a deposit has been paid, full balance payment will be due 10 weeks in advance of your check in date and a reminder will be sent to you two weeks prior to this date, where applicable, by email. We automatically take the balance payment using the same card as used to make the deposit payment. It is your reponsibility to advise us if we should use a different card and to contact us by telephone (0117 204 7830) to arrange for alternative payment method. If the balance payment does not successfully go through as there is a problem with your card, such as it expiring, then we will contact you to try and take alternative payment. If we have been unable to take payment after two weeks of the balance due date, then with regret, we will notify the Owner who may cancel your Booking.
1.4 Except where otherwise advised or stated in the booking conditions of the Owner concerned, all monies you pay to us for a Booking will be held on behalf of the Owner(s) concerned.
1.5 Credit Card payments are processed via Alastair Sawday’s Publishing Co. Ltd who provide merchants services facilities to Sawday’s Canopy & Stars Ltd.
2. Cancellation and Amendment by You
2.1 Any cancellation or amendment request must be sent to us by email (bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk) and will be considered and responded to within one working day of receipt. You are also advised to confirm all changes to our Customer Services Department by calling 0117 204 7830. Please ensure that you have received written confirmation of any changes to your Booking prior to travel. Whilst we will always try to help, we cannot guarantee that such requests will be met.
2.2 Amendments and cancellations can only be accepted in accordance with the booking conditions of the Owner of your Arrangements. The Owner may charge the cancellation or amendment charges shown in their booking conditions (which may be as much as 100% of the cost of the Arrangements and will normally increase closer to the date of departure). The Owner may charge cancellation or amendment charges in accordance with its own booking conditions, however for the sake of convenience only, we have outlined the Owner’s charges at clause 2.3 and 2.4 below. Please note that these are the Owner’s own cancellation and amendments charges, not Canopy & Stars’, and therefore the Owner may vary their charges as they wish, without notice to us. The correct charges will be notified to you at the time of your cancellation or amendments.
2.3 Owner’s General Cancellation Charges:
2.3.1 Cancellation by you at any time will result in your deposit being forfeited, as all deposits are non-refundable.
2.3.2 All monies paid for a holiday (deposit and balance) are non-refundable within 10 weeks before check in date.
2.3.3 Cancellation of any holiday after it has been paid in full and at a date 10 weeks or more in advance of your check in date, will result in forfeiture of your deposit (or an amount equivalent where one was not paid as the holiday was paid in full) and the balance being returned to you.
2.3.4 Cancellation insurance is available but will be a third party arrangement and not involve Canopy & Stars or the Owner in any way.
2.4 Owner’s General Amendment Charges:
2.4.1 Alterations to your Booking can only be made more than 10 weeks prior to the check in date, after which time alterations will be treated as cancellation. All alterations are subject to availability and may incur a £30 adminstration fee.
2.4.2 Differences in the total amount payable resulting from alterations will be refunded to you in the case of a decrease in price and paid by you in the case of increases in price.
Special note: Generally Owners will charge the above cancellation and amendment charges, however we must stress that these are a guide only and charges may differ from those shown here depending on the Owner. The exact charges will be notified to you by the Owner at the time of cancellation and/or can be found in the Owner’s own booking conditions which are available from the Owner on request.
3. Changes and Cancellations by the Owner
We will inform you as soon as reasonably possible if the Owner needs to make a significant change to your confirmed Arrangements or to cancel them. We will also liaise between you and the Owner in relation to any alternative Booking offered by the Owner but we will have no further liability to you.
4. Complaints
Because the contract for your Booking is between you and the Owner, any queries or concerns should be addressed to them. In the event that you have any complaint about your stay, please notify the Owner as soon as possible. If you don’t follow this procedure there will be less opportunity for the Owner to investigate and resolve your complaint and so make your stay as enjoyable as possible. Delays may also mean that amount of compensation you may be entitled to may be reduced. Whether or not your complaint is dealt with satisfactorily, please also contact us as we appreciate all feedback. It’s important to us and the Owner to know that you’ve enjoyed your stay or if anything could have been improved.
5. Pricing
Canopy & Stars reserve the right to amend advertised prices at any time on behalf of the Owner. We also reserve the right to correct errors in both advertised and confirmed prices.Special note: changes and errors sometimes occur.
6. Information & Accuracy
The information and prices shown on this website are varied from time to time and may change between the time you first view a property and make a Booking. You should check that all the details are as you expect prior to making a Booking. It is always possible that, despite our best efforts, some of the properties (including the features and extras available) may be incorrectly described and/or priced. If we discover this is the case after you have made a Booking, we reserve the right to contact you with details of the correct information and/or pricing and will give you the option to:
(1) proceed with the Booking based on the correct information and/or pricing, which may require the payment of an additional amount by you;
OR
(2) subject to availability, change your booking dates to dates when the pricing can be honoured ad so no additional charge to you. In the event that a lower price can be offered for alternative dates then the difference would be refunded;
OR
(3) cancel the Booking. If we do not receive your instructions within 5 days of contacting you, we reserve the right to cancel your Booking without liability to you.
7. Our Responsibility for your Booking
Your contract is with the Owner and its booking conditions apply. As Agent, we accept no responsibility for the actual provision of the Booking. Our responsibilities are limited to making the Booking in accordance with your instructions and acting properly in accordance with our legal duties as an Agent. We accept no responsibility for any information about the Booking that we pass on to you in good faith. However, in the event that we are found liable to you on any basis whatsoever, our maximum liability to you is limited to twice the cost of your Booking (or the appropriate proportion of this if not everyone on the Booking is affected). We do not exclude or limit any liability for death or personal injury that arises as a result of our negligence or that of any of our employees whilst acting in the course of their employment.
8. Pets
Not all properties accept pets. If you wish to take your pet on holiday, please advise us before booking and we can check whether pets are accepted at the property. You must obtain the prior consent of the Owner before taking any pets to the property. A nightly charge may be made by the Owner for each pet and additional terms may apply.
9. VAT
Many of the Owners of properties in the Canopy & Stars portfolio are not registered for VAT in which case no tax is payable. Where VAT is payable, the tax is included in the advertised holiday rental price.
10. Visa, passport and health requirements.
Unless you tell us otherwise, we assume that all members of your party are British citizens who hold or will hold full British passports valid for the entire duration of the Arrangements you chose to purchase. Information on visa, passport and health requirements, where given and applicable, is so given on this basis. Requirements may change and you are therefore strongly recommended to check the up to date position with the Owner of the Booking, Passport Office, appropriate embassy or consulate or your doctor as applicable in good time before the commencement of your holiday.
11. Insurance
You are strongly recommended to take out personal travel insurance for all members of your party. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance you purchase is adequate and appropriate for your particular needs. Please read your policy details and take them with you on holiday.
12. Special requests
If you have any special requests (for example dietary requirements, cots or room location), please let us know at the time of booking. We will pass on all such requests to the Owner, but unfortunately, we can't guarantee that they will be met and we will have no liability to you if they are not.
13. Group Bookings
Not all Owners accept Bookings for a single sex group (for example, a stag or hen party). Guests wanting to make such a Booking should check with us beforehand to enable us to check whether the Owner is prepared to accept the Booking. We will then advise you accordingly. In event that an Owner does not accept this type of Booking then it is with regret, that the Booking may be cancelled and cancellation fees may apply. It is the Guest’s responsibility to enquire with Canopy & Stars and/or check on our website beforehand to make sure that this type of booking is permitted.
14. Maximum Numbers
Please note that except by prior arrangement confirmed in writing, only the number of persons specified on a booking confirmation may occupy a property. Most owners reserve the right to refuse admittance or revoke a booking if this condition is not observed and you are unlikely to receive any refund.
15. Your Responsibilities
Please note that you have a contract with the Owner of the property. As such you are under a responsibility to behave in a proper, appropriate and legal manner whilst staying at the property with due respect to the Owner, the Property and other guests and their property. You are responsible for informing the Owner of any losses or damage to the property as soon as possible. Please note that you will be liable to pay the Owner for any losses or damage to the property caused by you or a member of your party (except reasonable wear and tear). Some Owners will also require damage deposits. You must also leave the property by the check-out time specified on your booking. If any guest behaves inappropriately or improperly (of which the Owner will be the final judge on their Property), or illegally, the Owner reserves the right to ask the guest and their party (at their discretion) to leave the Property before the end of the holiday period and/or refuse any future bookings from you. Any refund for so doing will be at the entire discretion of the Owner. In addition, the Owner reserves the right to sue the guest for any loss, damage or injury caused to the Owner, the Property or to other guests and/or their property. As agent, we will have no liability to you in these circumstances.
16. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These terms and conditions have been drafted in accordance with and are governed by English law and the courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction in relation to any and all disputes arising out of these Agency Terms & Conditions.
17. Discrepancies
In case of a discrepancy between these Agency Terms & Conditions and any other Canopy & Stars literature, these Agency Terms & Conditions shall prevail.
18. Validity clause
In the event that a court finds that a condition in these Agency Terms & Conditions is illegal or void, the illegal or void provision will be severed from the remainder of the Agency Terms & Conditions, which will continue to be valid and have full force and effect.
We stayed here on our honeymoon and had the most wonderful few days. Hugh and Celina were brilliant hosts, they couldn't have been more welcoming especially waiting for us to arrive much later than we'd predicted! Nothing was too much trouble. It was fantastic just enjoying being outside, spending lazy afternoons in the hammock in the trees, cooling off in the wine vat and falling asleep to the sound of owls and crickets at night. The breakfast each morning was absolutely delicious with fresh fruit, granola, bread and pastries - it kept us going all day. So many beautiful villages nearby and French markets to explore. Thank you Hugh & Celina!
05/09/2017