Le Portail Rouge

SUMMER IN PROVENCE
Le Portail Rouge, our accommodation in Provence
June 23 - July 2, 2008

all images ©Julien lautier

Faithful to the traditional architecture of Provence with its courtyard and its fountain, its yellow ochre walls, and its old style pool, this 100 year old property, perched on the top of the Tartuguiere hills offers its guests an exceptional panorama of the Vaucluse and Luberon mountain ranges. It is situated in the Luberon Regional park only 3 kilometers from the village of Rousillon, one of the Most Beautiful Villages of France. Within a few kilometers are the other beautiful villages of the region: Bonnieux, Menerbes, Lacoste, Gordes, Lourmarin, Goult, Saignon, and Saint Saturnin.


We will stay at Le Portail Rouge for nine nights and drive out every day to visit lavender and sunflower fields and the famous hilltop villages.	Meals will be prepared by Danielle using quality local products, and include a buffet breakfast, with home made breads, jams and cakes, and two evening meals.

The interior of the house is cool and calm, an escape from the hot Provencal summer.	Each room is decorated by Danielle with objects found in local antique stores.

Outside a large terrace overlooks a vast panorama of the Luberon Valley. If it gets too hot in the sun there are shaded areas of the terrace and garden to retreat to.	A couple of steps down from the terrace is the pool, where we can swim or just lounge around and rest during the hot hours of the day.

If we get thirsty, nearby on the terrace is the bar.	In the kitchen, Danielle works her magic - we will eat two evening meals at Le Portail Rouge.

The Poets' Room : decorated in the ochre and saffron colors of the local Roussillon stone, this bedroom has two twin beds with an en suite bathroom.	The White Room: A large bedroom with French doors opening to the swimming pool, a Queen bed, a day bed and an en-suite bathroom.

The Painters' Room: Decorated with paintings of boats and ships, with a Queen bed and en-suite bathroom.	The White Room - view of the French doors.

The Romantique Room: A large room with a Queen bed and a day bed, an en-suite bathroom, decorated in white and beige, .	The Travelers' Room: A large room with a Queen bed and en-suite bathroom, decorated in a vibrant red with travel photos on the walls.

Danielle and Julien are very proud of their region and their culture and will make every effort to introduce you to the culinary and cultural delights of Provence.	Julien, who has lived in this region for over thirty years, knows where to take us to obtain great photographs and meet local people. He will share with us his secret corners of Provence.

DATES: Monday June 23 - Thursday July 3, 2008 (10 nights)
PRICE: 2650 euros per person double occupancy, 395 euros single supplement.
LED BY: Barbara van Zanten and Julien Lautier. MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 8
PRICE INCLUDES: 9 nights accommodation at Le Portail Rouge, 1 night accommodation at hotel Best Western at Marseille airport, 9 breakfasts, 2 evening meals, ground transportation,services of Julien Lautier and tour leader/driver Barbara van Zanten.
NOT INCLUDED: Air fare to Marseille, meals other than mentioned above, personal expenses, obligatory travel insurance, optional balloon ride (approx. 260 euros).
ARRIVAL: Marseille airport. Please arrange your flights to be at Marseille airport on the morning of June 23, 2008. We recommend arriving a day or two early to get over jet-lag.
DEPARTURE: Any time on July 3, 2008 (last night spent at Hotel Best Western at Marseille airport).

Prices are quoted in euros to keep the costs down. The currency exchange rate for euros to dollars varies between 1.30 and 1.40.Multiply the euro prices by these two numbers to get an approximate price range. The final price may differ depending on the rate of exchange at the time payments are sent to France. For more information click here.

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