4 Bedroom Farmhouse in Avignon

Keryn and Kerrin Webster are enterprising and itinerant Kiwis, who are both now in their early forties. Originally from Taranaki on the North Island, they left their homeland back in 2003. Keryn grew up on a farm and is clearly drawn to life in the countryside, wherever that countryside might be. It happens now to be in the Provence region of the South of France.When the Websters left New Zealand it was partly to see more of the world but also so that Kerrin, a highly competitive squash player, could participate in the World Masters Squash tournament in Finland. The original intention was to remain abroad for a year – part of the Overseas Experience package that many Kiwis take up – and consequently their jobs and their house were waiting for them.

After holidaying at Mas Saint Antoine in March 2004 the Websters were offered the opportunity to manage the Mas the following season. It seemed too wonderful an offer to turn down

Thus the twelve months from November 2004 until November 2005 were spent becoming fully acquainted both with the beautiful part of Southern France in which they were now residing as well as discovering what it takes to cater for the needs of a variety of guests from different parts of the world over the course of a year. Mas Saint Antoine obviously got into their bloodstream because, two and a half years later, when the business came up for sale as well as the chance to own a half-stake in the property, Keryn and Kerrin set about finding the funding and have now enjoy their new lifestyle.

It’s appropriate, therefore, that Keryn grew up on a farm and is now making her living from the way in which many French farmers have augmented their income in recent times with the growth of the tourist trade. Mas Saint Antoine is in a rural location but is on the edge of a small village – Rognonas - and, best of all, is only a short drive or bus-ride away from the breath-taking beauty of the walled medieval city of Avignon, one of France’s chief visitor attractions. Nearby is the village of Chateaurenard, dominated by its hilltop ruined castle, and where, typically of many such villages, local or Provencal markets take over the streets for a day at a time, selling a huge variety of goods from fruit and vegetables to electrical goods to fashion bargains and arts and crafts. Few visitors from abroad can resist the charms of a genuine French village market, though their main purpose is to provide the local populace with all their practical needs.

The range of places to visit within an hour or less of Mas Saint Antoine is almost endless. Nearby is the enchanting village of St Remy where Van Gogh lived and painted for a time. Not surprisingly, therefore, the area is renowned for its sunflowers besides its lavender and wild poppies. Vineyards and olive groves predominate, lending the landscape its distinctive personality. Those who are interested in ancient history will find the area truly remarkable – there is an extensive Roman site at Glanum, just outside St Remy, with substantial Roman remains such as amphitheatres to be found at nearby Arles and Nimes, not to mention the astounding triple-decker Roman viaduct, the Pont du Gard, readily accessible. For those inspired by medieval architecture, there are castles and monasteries aplenty: and perhaps the most appealing of these, a medieval village and fortress known as Les Baux, also affords superlative views over the countryside and towards the distinctive range of mountains called Les Alpilles – the little Alps.

Many visitors to the region visit the Camargue which is Western Europe's largest river delta. A vast plain comprising large brine lagoons, the Camargue is cut off from the sea by sandbars and encircled marshes which are themselves surrounded by farmland - a third of the Camargue is either lakes or marshland. The central area has been protected as a regional park since 1927 as a haven for wild birds, particularly flamingos. The region has also become famous for its distinctive wild bulls and horses, though many of these horses have now been tamed for organised riding excursions into the countryside. The Camargue village of Saintes Maries de la Mer is the nearest seaside location to Mas Saint Antoine. And not far from here is the truly remarkable Aigues Mortes, originally a medieval port with 1,650 metres of city wall all of which remain intact and enclose a town renowned for its restaurants and shops.

If you are happy to travel further afield, Marseille, France’s largest port, is less than thirty minutes away by train. Music and art centres, such as Aix-en-Provence, are within comfortable driving distance for a day out. But wherever you go, whether to tiny, isolated hilltop villages or the larger centres of population, Provence is a region of France that offers a completely different way of life compared with the racing and rushing of so much of modern life. Few shops open here on a Sunday, or might well close each day at lunchtime, or you might well have to queue at a supermarket – all potential problems for some, but signs of a slower, gentler pace of life for those who appreciate these things. This different perspective is also reflected in the number of local festivals where work is forgotten and celebration becomes the focus. Fascinatingly, many villages in this area - Rognonas included - enjoy running with the bulls, like a safer and smaller version of the famous Pamplona.

The accommodation at Mas Saint Antoine will suit a variety of needs and requirements. The Mas sleeps eight in comfortable, roomy surroundings, ideal for a large family, or two families sharing. Casa Dora and St Sebastien both sleep four. The smaller gîtes, Chez Pauline, Le Cabanon and Le Kiwi (the last of which was assembled by K1 and K2 themselves) each accommodate two people. All of the gîtes provide self-catering facilities. And a final surprise: next to the swimming pool (which measures 12x6 metres) is yet further, though limited accommodation, the pool house, which sleeps two – but you would have to be happy about sharing your immediate surroundings with all the other holiday-makers who want to make use of the pool and adjacent sun-bathing facilities at the time of your stay. (There are many who choose to do precisely this year after year!).

Speaking of which, one of the appealing facets of Mas Saint Antoine is that so many of those who book have holidayed here before – the perfect recommendation that previous customers have been more than satisfied. Similarly, the number of bookings received because of referrals – past clients encouraging friends and family to come and see the Mas for themselves – is impressively high. If your constant need is a nearby beach or the bustle of a city, then Mas Saint Antoine is probably not for you: but if you love holidaying and travelling on the fringe, and being in control of where to go and what to see, then the Mas should most certainly form part of your itinerary.

Keryn and Kerrin are keen to continue the flexibility of approach they benefited from when meeting the original owners. Hence, it is still the case that, outside of the peak holiday times, there is a good chance you might be able to book part weeks or start yout holiday mid-week. Large groups with particular interests – painting, writing, wine, for example – are readily accommodated, and provision can be made for group excursions: organisers, take note. Each of the gîtes has its own outdoor seating and barbecue as well as the benefits of the beautiful, flowering communal gardens, with an abundance of scented lavender and rosemary. If you don’t want to escape modernity altogether, there is an outdoor wi-fi café close to the shade of the towering plane tree at the heart of the Mas. Next to the pool is a pizza oven: peak time holiday makers enjoy the weekly pizza nights where they design their own delicious pizzas.

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