Chateau Du Taureau: Farmhouse

The Farmhouse of Chateau du Taureau Estate sleeps 14 guests in 7 double/twin bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms. The fully enclosed estate of this chateau embraces 17 acres of mature parkland and elegant formal gardens complete with orchards and streams as well as a fully equipped gym, a swimming pool, basketball, squash and tennis courts.

Like the Chateau itself, the farmhouse has been fully restored to its 18th century glory, with the addition of a few modern conveniences such as air conditioning, central heating, a fully equipped modern kitchen and wireless broadband.

A fully equipped business/conference centre is also within the grounds of the estate.  This French chateau is perfect for conferences and seminars as well as providing luxury holiday accommodation for those wanting to get away from it all in comfort and style.

Set in the heart of the Rhone Valley between Orange, with its famous Roman theatre and Carpentras, famed for its truffle market, this chateau gives easy access to the popular French towns of Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, and St. Remy, as well as everything else the Rhone Valley has to offer.

**Please note that this property cannot be booked online so please use 'contact owner' to request a quote for your group size and dates. Please do not attempt to book the property online.

Farmhouse - The Farm building has been fully modernised to provide guest bedrooms and facilities, the Conference and Business Centre and sports facilities. The Maison Rose is one bedroom with a king sized bed; and either a suite with one twin-bedded room and a salon with convertible sofa, or two twin-bedded rooms. The Maison Jaune contains one king, one queen and one twin-bedded room. The courtyard level bedroom has one king sized room. As with the Chateau all bedrooms have en-suite bathrooms, with baths and separate shower stalls.

The guest bedrooms all overlook the beautiful internal courtyard which is very pretty and contains cloisters, various seating areas, lawn, lemon trees, jasmine clad walls and a fountain. A ground floor dining room can also be used as a card/games room, and is just off the courtyard. There is also a professional kitchen.

There is also a 20 person conference room fully equipped with multimedia facilities and its own reception room; the salon provençal; a fully equipped business centre and the estate office.

The more sporty guests can use the gym, play squash, tennis or water polo at any time of day or night. And the tennis and basketball courts are also floodlit! The less sporting can take an enjoyable walk in the extensive grounds or settle for a genteel game of croquet, badminton or volleyball on the especially dedicated lawns.

And of course the marvellous "mirror" swimming pool (25mx10mx4.5m), with its Olympic 1m spring board, water-polo facilities and its adjoining children's pool (3mx3mx0.6m), is a wonderful place to lounge. This area also provides an outdoor shower and a spacious, open dining Pavillion and attached sitting room and kitchen/barbecue). There are separate changing rooms, with shower and WC facility next to the pool area, so you need never leave!

*Please note, locations shown on the maps are approximations only

The nearest airport to the chateau is Nimes 60km away and Sarrians, the local village is within walking distance.

You will not go hungry in this region of France with its specialties of truffles, calisson, melons and wide variety of wine. Chefs make pilgrimages from near and far to select the cream of the crop from Provence. Guests can enjoy the riches of the region by visiting the picturesque markets of the nearby towns and villages. Local farmers bring their baskets of seasonal produce to sell directly from the traditional wooden trestle tables, placed under a canopy of plane trees.

We can make up a wonderful treat where our Chef and Sommelier will ensure a memorable stay at the chateau should any guests wish for something extra special.

If you feel the need to leave the glorious grounds of the château there are activities aplenty beyond the gates. The Fontaine de Vaucluse provides perfect trout fishing. Of course, you can canoe down the river and take in the peaceful scenery. Our Chef can prepare a picnic for you to enjoy amongst the vineyards and orchards on the river banks. For the more active: horse riding, hiking, cycling and skiing can be arranged. There are also several nearby golf courses.

Music lovers will already know of the world-class operas and concerts that take place in the region. In Vaison la Romaine and Orange concerts are held in the historic Roman theatres. The Summer Arts Festival in the old papal city of Avignon is famous for its films, theatre and street performers. And let’s not forget bullfighting. The stunning setting of two of the most intact Roman arenas in France - Nimes and Arles – is perfect for watching the toreadors and the bulls act out their ancient ritual.

The area is steeped in history. There are ruins, ancient villages, monuments, museums, medieval villages and towns and unchanged countryside to see and explore. The influence of Greek and Roman involvement over the last 2500 years is obvious everywhere. The scenes below show just a taste of what can be found in the areas around the chateau.

For most of our Tenants, not only will our Estate provide some wholly new experiences, but the region around it will do so as well.  Therefore, in order to maximise our Tenants enjoyment of the unique experiences awaiting them during their stay at the chateau:

The Estate’s Chef (who does not speak English, so our P.A./Staff can interpret if necessary), will be able to arrange a wide variety of menus to suit the Tenant’s requirements. His menus can range from a sophisticated “Degustation” menu highlighting the best of French cuisine, to a menu of Provençal specialties, to a simple “home cooking” menu, when everyone needs a break from their previous excesses! Don’t forget that the Estate’s Gym and other sports’ facilities can help our guests get rid of their newly acquired, extra kilos!

Obviously, no meal in France is complete without Wine.  In this regards, the Estate has its own cellar and Tenants may chose, from its Wine List, a wide selection of some of the best wines available in our region. Alternatively, should the Tenant wish to enjoy some of the best premium wines that France has to offer, our associated “Sommelier”, David Thomas of Avignon, can, with advance notice, endeavour to acquire such wines.

Finally, as our region is full of wonderful vineyards, which offer both wine tasting and direct purchases from their cellars, going on a wine-tasting expedition is great fun and, for many, a must.  In this connection, the Estate has provided a small, separate wine cellar, in which the Tenant can store the wines they acquire during their stay.  And, should they find a regional wine, or wines, that they particularly like and which wines they would like to take home, David Thomas can assist with the shipment of such wines.

- Security deposit: €15,000. This is paid no later than 1 month prior to arrival and will be refunded in full after departure subject to damage inspection.
- Linen & towels: All linen and bath towels are included in the rental price.
- Energy costs: Included in the rental price.
- End of stay cleaning: Included. Please leave the property in the state that you found it.
- Arrival time: 6pm onwards.
- Departure time: 10am.
- Pets: No pets allowed without prior consent.
- Smoking: No smoking in the property.
- Staff: The rental fee includes the services of the staff, excluding any Guide charges. As prescribed by French labour law, each Staff member is officially only permitted to work a 35-hour week. The Tenant should bear this in mind when requiring the Staff to work long hours. It should also be noted that the Staff will work in relays during the period 8.00 hrs - 24.00 hrs each day and each Staff member will alternate in order for each one to have one day off per week. In view of this, it is customary for the Tenant to leave a staff gratuity. This Staff Gratuity will also help compensate the Staff for working much longer hours than are normal.
- Contract: A full & detailed contract, provided by the owner, must be signed before a booking can be confirmed.
- It is recommended that all guests take out insurance to cover against potential cancellation and any accidental damage caused during your stay at the property.

C’est magnifique! The perfect setting for our family reunion. We came from California, Munich, Germany and Florence, Italy and we don’t want to leave! Pool games, shopping trips, wine tasting, cicadas singing, guitars playing and lots of love.

Cindy

My alter ego Frasier Crane once said, “If less is more, think of how much more more will be”. I don’t have to think about it any more, I have lived it here at your amazing home. Sumptuous feasts, violin concerts in the chapel, croquet in our whites on the lawn, ballooning, bicycling, and aperitif each night in a more beautiful location. I want more… more… more! Thanks so much.

David

Never in my life have I experienced such a wonderful exposure to a beautiful home and surrounding culture. The two weeks we spent here was simply a tease into this amazing region of Provence. I will never forget this awesome place. Incredible! And, as a UCLA water polo player, I must say the pool was the most beautiful I have ever seen. Honestly! I cannot imagine another vacation spot that could be better. Great wine, great people, great countryside. I had the time of my life. Thank you!

David