The calm and beauty of the Drome Provençale region has recently been acclaimed in the Sunday Times, where it was voted the second most desirable holiday destination, the first being Australia - a little more expensive to reach! Apart from the magnificent scenery, the delightful wines, the delicious food and the warm welcome from the locals, there are many historic Roman and medieval sites to visit nearby.

1 Bedroom Gîte (St.Maurice)

The decoration and furnishings of St Maurice could best be described as “Cool Provence” a combination of colour in a relaxed atmosphere . St. Maurice, like all our gites, is spacious, and situated on the first floor with its covered outside terrace, with extensive views of the forested hills and farmlands. There is an airy sitting/dining room with the fitted kitchen adjacent. The bedroom has a king size bed and leads to the slate tiled bathroom with extra large shower.

1 bedroom Gîte (St.Cecile)

The decoration and furnishings of St Cecile are reminiscent of the French colonial style, with plenty of artefacts ”brought back from adventures in Africa or Indochine”.

St. Cecile, like all our gites, is spacious and situated on the ground floor. There is a bedroom with the choice of super king size or twin beds with its bathroom leading off, which contains a large shower and a granite sink. There is a sitting/dining room which leads directly onto a shaded private terrace and fully fitted kitchen.

2 Bedroom Courtyard Gîte (Ventoux)

Our Moroccan voyage influenced gite, with carpets haggled for in the souk of Marrakech, and tiles and decoration with a decided exotic influence.

Ventoux is entered from the ground floor where you come into a large vaulted sitting/dining room with fully fitted kitchen directly off it, which its self, leads onto the outside shaded terrace. From the living room there is a spiral staircase which leads to a king size bedroom and its shower and bathroom. There is a second bathroom with a shower and a short staircase leading to a large loft bedroom with 2 extra wide single beds.

2 Bedroom Balcony Gîte (l'Hermitage)

Hermitage has the feel, and decoration in Provencal loft style with ochre pigments and an open fire place. It is on the first floor and is extremely light and airy with great views from all the windows, particularly the front terrace. From the terrace you enter into a large sitting/dining room from which there is separate fully fitted kitchen. There is a bedroom with a double 4 poster bed, a further bedroom with 2 single beds and a spacious bathroom with a shower and bathtub.

Large sitting/dining room with open fire and comfortable sofas. Attractive master bedroom with four poster bed, twin bedded bedroom, bathroom with bath, shower. Balcony with table, chairs and gas barbecue with beautiful views towards the mountains.

3 Bedroom Gîte (Les Hirondelles)

Les Hirondelles is decorated and furnished in French Provencal country style. The furnishings, some hand painted, create a comfortable family feel.

Hirondelle is situated on the first floor. There is a short flight of stone steps, leading from the courtyard, to a covered balcony. From there you enter into the sitting/dining room off of which is the kitchen. The sitting room also leads onto the main bedroom with its double bed and en-suite bathroom with shower. There is also a small private balcony. A staircase leads to the next floor where there are 2 bedrooms, 1 with a double bed and the other, with 2 single beds. There is a large shower room and a further bathroom with a bath.

Comfortable sitting/dining room leading to a separate fully fitted kitchen. Attractive master bedroom with en-suite and private balcony. Double bedroom, twin bedded bedroom with WC and bathroom and a further shower room. Balcony with views over the courtyard towards the mountains equipped with table chairs and gas barbecue.

The five gîtes are equipped with all linen, a washing machine and dishwasher, microwave, hi-fi, television, gas barbecue and a welcome hamper.

For those of our guest who stay with us on a high-season, half-board basis, we provide dinner on four evenings of the week, allowing time to enjoy some of the excellent local restaurants. Dinner at La Roche Colombe begins with an aperitif followed by a generous four course meal prepared by Bob, specializing in fresh Mediterranean cuisine and served with an abundance of good local wine.

Views of the mountains and woodlands from the ample twelve by six metre swimming pool are stunning. The poolside terrace has an honesty bar and plenty of sunbeds.

Wine lovers can enjoy the famous "Route des vins". Châteauneuf du Pape, Crozes Hermitage and Côtes du Rhone are all local and wine can be bought directly from the vineyards at exceptional prices.

For walking and cycling enthusiasts, there are many official marked routes through hills, river gorges and forests, all graded to experience and energy levels. We have four mountain bikes available free of charge for our guests.

Canoeing, kayaking and river rafting on the Ardèche and Drôme river are all within a short drive. Horseback riding and trekking can be arranged with a nearby stable. Other pursuits include rock climbing, potholing, flying and skiing. Our golfing visitors praise the two local excellent eighteen-hole golf courses. There are several interesting nine-hole courses available too.

For those seeking a more cultural holiday, the region is famous for its artists, potters and sculptors who open their ateliers to the public.

Our local lown of Montélimar is famous for its nougat and offers shopping along its winding streets and relaxation in its shady boulevard cafés

Within easy driving distance, you can visit the historic sites of Avignon with its Papal Palace, Orange's famous Roman amphitheatre and the aqueduct at Pont Du Gard. However, you might just prefer to wander the lavender fields to explore the quiet medieval crusader villages, taking in one or more châteaux en route.

Special Offer:

Your hosts, Celia and Bob, would be pleased to arrange informal courses on provençal furniture, decoration/making, provençal cookery, wood sculpture, water and oil painting and sketching.

Low Season: March 28th to may 16th/September 19th to October 24th

Mid Season: May 16th to July 4th/August 29th to September 19th

High Season: July 4th to August 29th

For further details on the property and the region, please go to: larochecolombe.com

Languages: French and English

Reservations:
Bob and Celia Christmas
La Roche Colombe
26450 Charols
Drôme Provençale - France

Tel: +33 475 90 48 22

e-mail: bobandcelia@larochecolombe.com

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URL: http:www.bbfrance.com
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