La Maison de Laurence

Vence, Alpes-Maritimes
Self-catering
+33 4 93 58 13 95/+33 6 24 62 76 39
Visit owner's website

€90
per night
€630
per week

Modest and authentic, a top-floor apartment in an eco-friendly Provençal farmhouse, with dogs and hens. River swims are a stroll away...

Bed

3 beds

Bedroom

2 bedrooms

Sleeps

Sleeps 4

Children welcome
Pets welcome
Babies welcome

€90 per night

€630 per week

The Experience

An old Provençal farmhouse standing beneath the protective gaze of the sugarloaf mountain Baou de Saint-Jeannet. Beyond the outskirts of Vence, you are surrounded by birdsong and Laurence’s luscious terraced garden. Warm, cultured and full of life, she lives on the ground floor while the first floor, just below yours, is reserved for family; your top-floor apartment is reached via open stone steps and a terrace shaded by an ancient olive tree.

Bedrooms are simple and cosy, beds dressed in fine linen. Both have elegant antique furniture and views through trees. There’s a refectory dining table in the kitchen with rush-seated chairs and a tiny but adorable sitting room. Drop into son Nicolas’ workshop for a chat, stroll down to the swimming holes and waterfalls of the Cagne river – audible from the house after heavy rain. Binoculars – all yours; children adore the dogs, hens and wildlife.

Walk 3kms into Vence for shops and restaurants.

La Maison de Laurence - Gallery

We think you'll love

  • Wandering into Vence for a morning market (every day except Monday and Thursday) with great local produce
  • Being surrounded by so much nature and wildlife
  • Swimming in waterfalls and the river
La Maison de Laurence - Gallery

You should know

  • No air conditioning, but the walls are very thick so you shouldn't need it
  • Lots of steps and uneven ground

Essentials

  • EV charger
  • Self check-in
  • Swimming pool
  • Hot tub
  • Garden
  • Open fire / woodburner
  • Breakfast included
  • Breakfast available
  • Meals available
  • Vegetarian meals
  • Oven
  • Parking on premises
  • Free parking nearby
  • Accessible by public transport
  • WiFi
  • Television
  • Central heating
  • Limited mobility
  • Wheelchair access
  • Mobile reception
  • Hob
  • Barbecue
  • Paid parking nearby
  • Air conditioning
  • Relaxation areas
  • Washing machine
  • Tennis court
  • Microwave oven
  • No smoking
  • Credit cards
  • Working farm
  • Owner has pets
  • Electricity included
  • Dishwasher
  • Pets welcome

Family friendly

  • Baby monitor
  • Books and toys
  • Children welcome
  • Babies welcome
  • Stair gates
  • High chair
  • Fire guard
  • Cot available

Nearby

  • Pub/bar within 3 miles
  • Restaurant within 3 miles
  • Shop within 3 miles

Activities

  • Bikes available
  • Food courses
  • Kayaking
  • Other courses
  • Sailing
  • Surfing
  • Wild swimming

Pricing

Nightly price
€90
Weekly price
€630
Surcharges
10% discount if you travel by train.
1 Apartment for 4
€903 beds2 bedrooms

Information

Booking information

Closed
Never.
Owner has pets
Animals living on the property

Reviews

A farmhouse apartment in the middle of nature. It's so calm and the air so fresh yet you're only 20 minutes from the coast and nearby Vence, one of the region's most authentic villages. The terrace is a wonderful place to sit with the smell of roses, the sound of birds and olive trees covering the slopes above. Heating comes from a wood burning stove - providing a very eco-friendly environment.

Jon, Sawday's Inspector

A wonderful week in this beautiful house. Thank you to Laurence and Nicolas for much kindness. And huge respect for creating such a haven in what might otherwise be the frantic summer sun of the Côte d'Azur. Our highlights were: a) Swimming in the Cagnes river just down the path. b) Rock climbing on the Baou with our ropes, and climbing shoes. c) Walking to the summit of the Baou and gazing at the whole Riviera. d) Looking at everything made by Henri Matisse. e) Walking up the Esteron river which Nicolas showed us beyond Villars. f) Supper in Vence at Litote Restaurant. g) Saint Jeannet.

Helen, London

So wonderful to be back at La Maison de Laurence, with its delightful garden, charming accommodation, beautiful terrace and stunning views. Happy evenings spent on the terrace with the local rosé... Loved roaming the streets of Vence with its history, cafés and restaurants. Antibe and the Picasso museum were amazing in a Stem... Great fun also at the Lac de Saint Cassien. I dont' want to leave... Many thanks, Penny and Dee Caldwell

Dee, Chichester

La maison de Laurence is wonderfully situated at the end of a quiet road and just a five minute's walk from a very refreshing river that we could swim in! Laurence's garden is beautiful and a great place to be with a good book. Vence and its surrounding towns are nice places to explore and both Laurence and her son were very welcoming and interesting people to could often provide us with the inside view on local topics. Even our Labrador enjoyed his stay at the Maison de Laurence and found enough shady spots to escape the heat.

Judith, Thun

We had an excellent stay at this house over Christmas. Laurence let us take some of the freshly laid eggs and turned them into delicious omelettes! Nicolas introduced us to a new board game he made himself! We enjoyed a terrific view of the valley and a trip to scenic snow covered mountains. On new years' eve we visited the Monaco aquarium before joining the festivities ans the welcoming of 2017 in the Christmas market. This was truly a trip to remember. Thank you Nicolas and Aunty Laurence! The Khoo family

Chang, London

It has felt like returning home to come here again. Thank you so much Laurence for providing us, once again, with such a wonderful bolt hole for the real world. The girls have loved the beaches in Menton, and we loved Saint Paul de Vence and Tourettes-sur-Loup was a beautiful find this time too with stunning views. We also enjoyed the market in Vence on Friday, and the wonderful street with the butcher, cheesemonger, fish monger, greengrocer... Most of all we have enjoyed the peace and quiet home, reading, playing cards and… Thank you Laurence, I am sure we will be back again! the Haddenhams

Emily, Bucks

We stayed here during the summer of 2012 with our two boys. I have missed the place ever since. Wonderful place, wonderful Laurence!

C.L., Bussum

My husband and I had a wonderful tranquil and inspiring stay in this amazing house..nestled in a wonderful garden that Laurence respectfully cares for together with her son this gem of a place is tucked away yet central enough to discover the surrounding area. Visit and enjoy !

Carole

Wholly delightful: the Provencal house and "terrain" and their valley side situation, the abundance of fragrant plants, olive trees and tall pines, the artistic yet traditional interior décor, the cleanliness, the attractive terrace for relaxing, the commitment to a gentle ecological way of living, the amazing limestone hill countryside beyond with hilltop villages, so much to explore and enjoy in the immediate area and beyond (including the accessibility of the sea), the hospitality of both Mme Thiebaut and her son, Nicolas (mysteriously appearing free range eggs an example).

Philippa

This is a serene place in a beautiful setting. Nicolas helped us set up bikes to fit us. Cycling into Vence to the market with the return trip gently downhill all the way was a pleasure. As others have said, there is a magical atmosphere here - gentle owners, beautiful colours inside and out, and the peaceful compost toilet! The Matisse Chapel in Vence and the Fondation Maeght in St Paul de Vence as well as fabulous countryside for walking make the immediate area rich in both culture and nature. Our two twentysomethings loved the weekend they had here too.

Juliet

We can only repeat all the previous reviews. The whole estate is out of this world with its rustic charm and lovely peaceful atmosphere. If you go out in the evening, do remember to take the torch (provided) as it can get very black and the steps can be diffucult. We very much hope to be able to visit Laurence and Nicolas again.

Simon

This is a wonderful place to stay, very homely but with fantastic views, and a great base for exploring the area. Vence is a beautiful town, and only a 15-minute cycle ride away, 5 minutes by car. Walk 5 minutes the other way and you’re on a magnificent disused railway viaduct. Nice and Antibes are easy to get to. The terraced gardens are a delight, and Laurence and her son Nicolas are very friendly and helpful (and speak very good English) if ever you need anything. Their dog Filoute is large but very gentle. We’d love to return here, and have no hesitation in recommending it.

Roger

We had a wonderful time with our 3 yr old son at La Maison de Laurence. The house and gardens are beautiful, and Laurence and her son Nicolas, were friendly and welcoming without being intrusive. Our son loved the animals, particularly the very friendly (although large and boisterous) dog, Filloute. We did have to watch him on the stone steps outside, and it is worth saying that there are a LOT of steps involved, some rather precarious, so not a good place for people with reduced mobility. For us though, it was perfect. Coast to one side, countryside on the other - just perfect.

Liz

We had a wonderful stay at La Maison with our three year old son and fully intend to return. The property is beautiful, comfortable, and very well equipped. Laurence and her son are very friendly and helpful without being intrusive. Our son loved the garden, and especially loved Filloute the dog, who was very gentle with him (although she is a bit more boisterous with adults so if you are not a fan of big and enthusiastic dogs this may not be the place for you). With the steep steps to the property I would be worried about taking a younger child or anyone with impaired mobility.

Liz

This a beautiful spot, with great access to local mountains and beaches and yet very private and removed. The apartment is light, spacious and very pleasantly decorated. We enjoyed all our meals on the private terrace with indescribable views of the Baou St. Jeannet mountain and the wooded valley below. We loved cold swims in the pristine nearby creek, and the The onwers were helpful and very very accommodating. Highly highly recommended! We traveled with our children, and they loved it too, especially the animals and the swimming. Next time we are in the area, we will definitely be back.

Danielle

We stayed in this delightful property and were made so very welcome by Laurence and her son.The apartment is well equipped. The surrounding terraced gardens and nearby mountain peak are a delight

Michael

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Location

The neighbourhood

There are lots of wonderful walks straight from the house into the countryside and to the Cagne mountain stream where there are pools for wild dips and also walks along disused railway lines. Walk 8 minutes to a bus stop for a free shuttle to the local villages. Nice and the true Riviera is a half-hour drive for a peek at the marina and a spot of people-watching and culture.

Local points of interest from Laurence Thiebaut

  • Relax on your private beautiful terrace shadowed by a century-old olive tree while listening to the woodpecker that lives in a close-by oak-tree and all the other birds that people our beautiful terraced garden (130 species of birds hang out round here!)
  • Hike or swim! We are half way between the most beautiful walks in the mountainous hinterland with all its medieval hilltop villages and the Natural Regional Park and the Riviera coast with its towns and beaches. Pick your favourite!
  • Art lovers... you won't have enough time to explore all the area, in Vence with the Matisse Chapel, but also nearby the Picasso Museum, the Maeght Foundation, the art village Saint Paul, the Marc Chagall museum, the Bonnard Museum, the Fernand Léger Museum
  • If you want to stay in the surroundings and have more of a sedentary stay, just walk down to the river that runs 1500 feet away from your apartment and spend some time with our local purple and blue dragonflies and native crayfish!
  • Just chill in our town of Vence, have a croissant and coffee at a terrace and then a nice shopping walks through our markets where you will find all the delicious locals specialties our region offers
  • Sport lovers... ski, hike, climb or dive! You are an hour away from our skiing stations (Valberg or Gréolières) and half an hour away from our beautiful swimming areas! As for Rock climbing, just pick the Saint Jeannet mountain you can see from your terrace!

Introducing

Laurence Thiebaut

Laurence came down from Paris in 1974 and she and her husband bought what was a ruin at the time. They have renovated with every care to make an ecologically self-sufficient home. Laurence will greet you along with her friendly dog Filoute.