Sous le Château

We are both Dutch and have lived in France for more than 20 years, where we have had many adventures. Elske had a career in the biscuit world and is now a photographer with her own gallery across the street ('Atelier 1699') and she is also a real estate agent. Liedewy started a small company called 'Artiste du Bois' and is specialized in designing and making furniture. Since 2003 we live in Rustrel, where we have been very successful in renting out a small holiday home. In 2018 we were able to buy this gem, but it still had to undergo a thorough renovation for two years before we could rent it out. Now that it is finished we often hear from guests that it even exceeds their expectations.

This old house dating from around 1850 still shows some signs of its age, such as thick walls, old beams and some stone walls, but contemporary comfort and design predominate. You will feel at ease: there are lovely new double beds, a sofa on each floor, a large washbasin and a beautiful rain shower, a Nespresso machine, a large 4K television with Netflix, beautiful artwork on the wall, a spacious kitchen with induction hob and microwave, electric floor heating, etc. The renovation, the furnishings and most of the furniture and artwork on the wall are designed and made by ourselves. We have also commissioned other artists, e.g. to create a unique tableware that matches the soft green wall colours. Outside there is a small sheltered terrace with a garden, a sofa, dining area and comfortable chairs. There are no neighbours! All the neighbouring houses are empty, so it is a very quiet area.

Rustrel has the beautiful 'Colorado de Rustrel' to walk in: beautiful ochre quarries where you can wander for hours in the orange-red colours and take beautiful pictures. Bee-eaters, golden orioles and four species of woodpeckers breed here. Elske will be happy to tell you more about all this. There are also 60 species of orchids in the Vaucluse. But it is also a very cosy village, where you immediately feel at ease. People enjoy life and you can tell by everything: there is time for a chat, there are cosy terraces, a delicious baker, an épicerie with exactly what you need: fresh cheeses, sausages and wine from the neighbourhood. In the months of July and August the municipal swimming pool is open and that's a cozy place where the atmosphere of the seventies reigns and where on a hot day it's great swimming. The Auberge has a good cook, on the bakery's terrace it's wonderful to have lunch and just outside the village the pizzeria has a large cosy terrace. On Monday evening there is a Crêpe stall on the market square. Apt is very cosy, just like all the other villages in the neighbourhood. It is really France at its best here!