The "house below the castle"

note: this house also has its own website at : www.beautiful-provence-rental.com

The house is a stone construction several centuries old. It is situated at the end of a road in a secluded spot in the upper part of Saint Victor la Coste, near the oldest section of the village and the church. The south side of the house and the courtyard open onto the wild hills, with a magnificent view of the ruins of the medieval castle (see photos).

The interior, entirely restored and rebuilt within the past 10 years, is new and clean. Walls are plastered, floors tiled; electrical installation and plumbing are entirely modern. The house is pleasantly furnished, and well lit.

Living room

Situated on the second level, in the center of the house, is a very large living room. This is accessible from the kitchen via a stairway, and also has an outside door that leads to the terrace above the courtyard. Views from this room offer a panorama of the valley on one side, and the courtyard, hill, and castle ruins on the other.

Across from a pretty stone fireplace (though not usable, since closed off to permit efficient central heating), there is a convertible sofa that can pull out to sleep two "in a pinch," several comfortable chairs, and tables, lamps, etc.

This room is well stocked with guidebooks, brochures and maps of the region, a shelf-full of books in English, and a radio-cassette-cd player. There are also: voltage converter, small alarm clocks for the bedrooms, etc.

Bedrooms

Bedroom on second level. Door on right opens out onto private sun-drenched terrace.

There are three bedrooms in the house, each pleasantly furnished and well lit.

On the ground floor, is a small vaulted bedroom with a single bed, which has a separate door out into the courtyard.

On the second level, there is a bedroom with twin beds, a large armoire and a space to hang clothes.

Doors open into the living room, and out onto the outside terrace.

The room has a beautiful tile floor and pretty wood-beam ceiling.

Bedroom on upper level

On the third level, there is a bedroom under the eave with twin beds and armoire.

Next to this bedroom is a small room, with a desk in front of a window and a perfect view of the medieval castle ruins at the top of the hill (see photo below).

All sheets, blankets, and towels are provided.

Bath

Also on the ground floor is a modern fully tiled bathroom. There is a large tub, and two sinks, a large electric hot water heater, and small armoire for towels, etc.

In typical French fashion, there is a separate toilet.

The door on the left opens out into courtyard, the stone stairway on right leads up to next level.

Kitchen

Large double doors from the courtyard lead into the fully equipped kitchen. There is a gas stove with burners and oven, a separate microwave oven, and a large electric refrigerator. Tiled counters line the wall on either side of the double sink. There is an electric coffee-maker, and of course dishes, pots and pans.

A large circular table sits in the center, and a pretty cupboard offers space to stock foodstuff.