La Roucoulade

Book directly on their website so this local business keeps more of what they earn.

Slow down in the Provence countryside

Around 20 minutes from Aix-en-Provence sits La Roucoulade, a 2-bedroom holiday cottage, surrounded by pine-covered hills and the landscapes of Provence.

The cottage opens onto a Mediterranean garden with a heated swimming pool overlooking Ventabren's traditional windmill. Inside, original terracotta floors, exposed wooden beams and antique pieces sit alongside modern comforts and a distinctive pink fireplace for cooler evenings.

Only one booking is welcomed at a time. The owners live on the property, so you'll share the wider grounds with them but remain their only guests.

A minimum stay of two nights applies. For larger groups or complete privacy, the entire property is also available for private hire on request.

Rooms

2

STYLE

Holiday cottage

Hotel feature

Heated swimming pool, Mediterranean garden, outdoor dining, self catering kitchen

SURROUNDINGS

Pine-covered hills, traditional villages, Mediterranean coast

€180-€400

per night

Book direct

** You're booking directly with the accommodation

www.laroucoulade.com

+33 6 75 50 91 62

laroucoulade@gmail.com

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Instagram

Heated swimming pool

Mediterranean garden

Outdoor dining

Planet & People

Spend your money locally
Many of La Roucoulade's recommendations deliberately lead guests towards independent businesses around Ventabren and Aix-en-Provence, from farmers and cheesemakers to fishmongers, restaurants and artisans. By sharing the independent businesses they know and use themselves, the owners help guests spend more of their holiday money within the local economy while discovering places they might otherwise miss. The same approach extends to local experiences, with recommendations favouring independent guides, producers and small-scale providers from the region.

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Explore straight from the cottage
You don't always need to drive to explore the area around La Roucoulade. A walk begins at Ventabren's windmill and continues through the old Provençal village before heading into the surrounding wooded hills. From there, the trail leads to the Roquefavour Aqueduct, an impressive 19th-century stone aqueduct crossing the Arc Valley. Further afield, Marseille is around 40 minutes away, while the villages of the Luberon, the Mediterranean coast and the Calanques are all within easy reach for day trips.

Provence, personally recommended
A week before you arrive, the owners send a short questionnaire to find out how you want to spend your time, then share recommendations based on your interests. That might mean arranging a private chef at the cottage, booking a massage or yoga session, organising a boat trip to the Calanques, or simply pointing you towards a favourite market, restaurant or spot for an apéritif. You can even arrive to a fridge stocked with groceries or order organic produce for your stay, leaving you more time to settle in and enjoy Provence.

Story behind La Roucoulade

La Roucoulade is the family project of Clémence and Guillaume, who left Paris for Provence with their children in search of a slower pace of life.

They discovered the country house after the first Covid lockdown and saw the opportunity to create the kind of place they themselves would want to stay, private and comfortable but with hosts who could help guests get to know the area beyond the usual recommendations.

Hospitality was already familiar territory for Clémence. The daughter of a Provençal hotelier and restaurateur, she spent 18 years working in the digital sector before bringing that experience together with her family's hospitality background at La Roucoulade.

Learn more

Explore rooms

Reviews

L

Lucy

We have just returned from our ten day stay at La Roucoulade as a family of four. Wow, it is even more beautiful than it appears in the photos - the gardens, pool and gite made our stay in Provence incredibly relaxing and Clémence is a fabulous host, very attentive and she gave us some excellent recommendations that I hadn’t discovered online for restaurants and places to visit. We are already planning our next stay! Thank you Clémence for your impeccable attention to detail and all the care you take with La Roucoulade.

S

Sam

Our group of 12 had such a lovely stay at Clémence’s property. It is a gorgeous home and we enjoyed lounging by the pool, playing pétanque, and having breakfast at the outdoor table - definitely a good option for groups visiting in summer. We had a mix of couples and singles and there was plenty of space for everyone to sleep, and easy enough to negotiate bathrooms/shared spaces. Clémence was very communicative, helpful, and flexible.

A

Ange

We had a fabulous week at the Gîte de la Roucoulade! More than just accommodation, it's an experience where everything is designed for guests from A to Z, down to the smallest detail. It's not just 5 stars, it's 6! :) Clémence and her lovely family are incredibly welcoming and warm. Clémence is attentive and always available if needed. She offers many services, which you can discover on the website. The grounds are idyllic, with numerous spaces to relax, each more beautiful and inviting than the last. The interior and exterior decor is truly tasteful. In the gîte, you'll find everything you need, from basic cooking ingredients to makeup remover and toothpaste for adults and children (!). The entire gîte is air-conditioned if you wish, but it stays pleasantly cool. The bedding is of very high quality, and the kitchen is fully equipped. The gîte is superbly located, allowing you to enjoy both the magnificent saltwater pool and the pétanque court, while also having the opportunity to take numerous excursions. Ventabren is a charming little village typical of Provence, 20 minutes from Aix-en-Provence and 30-40 minutes from Marseille. Above all, don't miss the Michelin-starred restaurant Dan B in Ventabren, which is well worth the detour and even offers a "young shoots" menu for children. In short, you'll be better off at La Roucoulade than in a 5-star hotel, and that's true in every season! A huge thank you to Clémence and her family, and we're already looking forward to returning next year.

Fact Sheet

Basic Information

Check in: 15:00
Check out: 10:00

Food & Drinks

The kitchen is fully equipped for you to prepare your own breakfast, with coffee, tea, hot chocolate, jams and honey available.

Activities

Explore Provençal villages and local markets, hike through the surrounding countryside, visit the Calanques, or enjoy wine tastings, yoga, massages and boat trips.

General

Café
Free wifi
Outdoor swimming pool
Family friendly
Garden
Terrace
Laundry service
24-hour reception
24 hour security
Free parking

Accessibility

Limited accessibility features

Check availability

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