We can highly recommend this house. Although comparatively modern, it's built to a high standard from traditional Provencal materials, making it feel as if it could be 200 years old, with lots of character. The downstairs rooms remain cool on hot days and there is a well laid out garden, with two eating areas - one in the open air for evening meals, and one under a beautifully constructed loggia for shade during the daytime. The lush grass and plants are watered by a nightime system and there's a gas barbecue provided, although we didn’t use it.
The private pool is separated off by a fence and gate for safety if you have little ones, and is almost entirely hidden from any other buildings surrounding the house. There is even a garage, although the folding doors are a little fiddly. Both the house and the garden are stylishly equipped, with comfortable sofas, TV, good wifi that seemed to work throughout the house and garden, and a big fridge, gas and electric oven, dishwasher and washing machine in the kitchen.
We stayed there for two weeks and a very friendly cleaner came in twice during that time, changing the bedding once and leaving the place spotless both times. Someone also came to check and clean the pool while we were there, so it is well managed, looked after by the friendly agency in the village – so someone is nearby to sort out problems if any arise.
The house is on the edge of the village, so it’s just a gentle 5 minute walk to the café, boulangerie and shops. If you don’t know Goult, it is right in the middle of the most popular part of the Luberon – Peter Mayle’s Menerbes is across the valley, and famous Gordes is just a few kilometres to the north – but unlike them it still has the feel of a community where lots of locals still live, so is popular with those in the know. It has several restaurants but the Cafe de la Poste is a focus, for leisurely coffees in the morning, food and wine at lunchtime, and drinks in the evening. Unusually, while they don’t serve food at night, you can order a pizza from the shop opposite and they'll bring it over the road to you on a plate. There is also usually live music there on Friday nights.
Further afield, there are lots of lovely villages and antiquities to visit nearby, and the town of Apt is just 15 mins away in the car, with big supermarkets, a large weekly market and several good restaurants. Avignon is about 30-40 mins away.
We really enjoyed staying here.
