La Maison de Moustiers-Sainte-Marie

Stylish care has been lavished on this old house with its splendidly soaring mountain backdrop in a quiet part of town beside pretty Place Clerissy. The four characterful floors are decorated with country-chic good taste in calmly co-ordinating colours. From street level you go into the cleverly designed small kitchen/dining room with everything you need; the living room on the second floor is cosily comfortable with painted beams and lime-washed walls. Up again to your lovely king or twin-bedded room and teal-blue bathroom (walk-in shower, Moustiers faience tiles, fluffy towels). And on the top floor: watch the hang-gliders circle from your fabulous roof dining terrace with its olive tree, wooden loungers, BBQ, cooking ring and fridge. Historic, popular Moustiers is mostly pedestrianised (drop things off then park nearby) with great restaurants, nooks and pottery shops to explore. Les sportifs will make for the nearby Gorge de Verdon and Lac St Croix. All will be drawn by fascinating Provencal sites – and sights, like Valensole’s lavender fields – all around, before heading home to star-gaze from that terrace.