Slow life in Provence

Slow Life in Provence

Live for the moment at la Baye des Anges

Welcome to a place where the expression live in the present takes all it’s meaning. Enjoy simple luxuries and follow your senses, but first of all relax and pause…

A book on the table
The pool and the house - global view
Nap time
The pool
Pique-nique in the garden

Live and play by the pool

The pool of course, is a destination in it’s own right. Many a guest doesn’t leave it’s neighbourhood much, taking residence on the loungers for most of the day, that is why a couple of years ago, I designed an extension that now houses an al fresco dining area, as well as a summer kitchen.

The deck is also a perfect place to settle down with a mat and meditate, exercise, do a yoga session, or whatever makes mind and body happy.

A few steps down towards the parasol pines, is a petanque court, kitted with boules and a rake, awaiting the international competitions that regularly take place. And remember, whoever looses 13-0 gets to kiss Fanny… 

A few steps down towards the front gate is a wisteria-covered pergola housing a ping pong table, and a hammock waiting for someone feeling like a nap. During the hottest summer day, we sometimes put up an outdoor cinema and enjoy the show just as soon as the cicadas have quieted down.

Close to the pool
Pool hat book and wine rosé de Provence
Pétanque
The great landscape from the couch

Contemplate medieval Vaison from here and there

Vaison-la-Romaine is a big village rather than a town, but it has plenty to offer in terms of sightseeing, cultural life, activities, and gastronomy. But before you go anywhere, why not just sit down, and take in the view? You are facing the castle which sits proudly above the medieval town, it’s narrow cobbled streets, stone fountains and iron bell towers typical of Provence’s perched villages.

Along the streets of the fortified town

Experience the local rituals

Aperitif is a local tradition which many of our guests are eager to experience. Our dry and sunny climate allows for outdoor aperitif year round as testified in this video, taken late March at one of our view points.

Should you like to discover local wine making, we would be happy to oblige with recommendations.

A pedestal table, a bottle of French red wine, two glasses
Meal from Provence
Vegetables from our kitchen garden
Flowers in the garden
Traditional French cheese and knife

Go from soil to plate

Our potager located just outside the kitchen make the expression a reality. Not only is it healthy, it is fabulously convenient as well, you will experience how easy it is to just pick the veggies seconds before having them on a plate. No shopping, storing, not much cleaning for most, as we  grow them fully organic, with only comfrey planted nearby as fertiliser, you can eat them off the plant, without even rinsing off the skin, and thus enjoy all the goodness of nature.

The kitchen garden of la Baye des Anges
Trimming the lavender
Lavender in the backyard
Lavender

Experience the lavender fields… at home

The much famed and longed for lavender field can be experienced small scale in the comfort and privacy of the garden. Instead of having to jump off your car by the side road, you can take your time and get just the right angle for your picture, and then retreat to a fresh drink and a magazine in the summer house, kept fresh by it’s stone walls and oak tree shading.  

Rest area and couch
Bicycle at the Mont Ventoux
Mountain biking in the Provençal scrubland
Bycycle at the summit of the Mont Ventoux

Cycle the Ventoux and much more

If you are a fond cyclist, the giant of Provence facing you from our patio will keep challenging you to get up there! Once the exploit done, please don’t forget to send us the selfie to be included in our hall of fame! But cycling is by no mean restricted to the hardships of Ventoux climbing. Our area is cycling heaven as many of you know, a whole world to explore. 

Bicycle in the garden
Roman theater
Ancient Roman Sculpture
Ancient Roman remains

Experience Roman archeology 

Vaison-la-Romaine is the biggest Roman archeologic site in France, and one of the biggest in Europe. It’s theatre hosts festivals and concerts through out the summer season. The antique site also include a forum, a shopping street, and several patrician villas that would make any billionaire pale: Vasio Julia Vocontiorum was a major Roman settlement and as such was a lavishly appointed city. You will find all of this in a very well illustrated book bought a the museum as well as a short DVD recreating the antique lives or Vaison’s inhabitants, a ludic and interesting way to prepare your visit. You can also sit at our view point, for aperitif for example, and check out the row of columns crowning the top of the theatre, visible below, maybe than will you find the will power to leave our little paradise for a while and explore the antic city of Vasio…

Landscape of Provence