ED Refnr. 615643
MAS SAINT ESPRIT is located on a sunny hillside above the medieval town of Largentière, in the south of the Ardèche department, close to the famous Gorges de l'Ardèche and the Pont d'Arcs. The name Largentière refers to a silver mine that was already important in the early Middle Ages. Le Mas Saint Esprit was built in the 16th century by monks who planted vines and olive trees on many terraces.
Regina and Claudio von Planta bought the Mas Saint Esprit in 2002 because Claudio was filming the English TV series 'A Place in France' as a documentary filmmaker at the time. Le Mas Saint Esprit was the centre of the 3rd series. The film assignment and the rustic charm of the Ardèche inspired the von Planta family to leave London for 3 years and send their 6 and 9 year old daughters to primary school in Largentière. As a result, the children now speak better French than their parents and have developed into multilingual Europeans.
The name 'Saint Esprit' (Holy Spirit) alone is promising and will hopefully inspire other families to explore the diversity of the Ardèche region. In addition to great sports opportunities in impressive natural surroundings and beautiful summer concerts under a starry sky, the region is also home to the oldest and most beautiful cave paintings in the world, which were captured by Werner Herzog in the 3D film 'Cave of Forgotten Dreams' in 2010. These 30,000-year-old works of art were discovered in 1994 in the 'Grotte Chauvet' near Vallon-Pont-d'Arc - 22 kilometres from Largentière. The Ardèche region obviously appealed to our Stone Age ancestors.
The property:
Le Mas Saint Esprit consists of 3 traditional stone houses that are between 200 and 300 years old. They have been tastefully renovated in several stages over the last 20 years with great respect for the historic building fabric and furnished for holiday guests. The 3 buildings stand alone on a terraced plot of 25,000 m2 with a wonderful unobstructed view of the Château de Montréal.
A swimming pool of 12 x 4 metres is situated in the landscaped part of the garden, where there are also some natural pools.
Sheep graze in the central part of the property and the lowest terraces are overgrown. Nature lovers can go on romantic excursions to the natural rock pools of the Rouberau River in this unspoilt wilderness far from any mass tourism. It is a paradise for sporty children and adults who enjoy climbing and canyoning.
The 3 cottages at Mas Saint Esprit can accommodate from 6 to 14 people. In winter, a maximum of 11 people can be accommodated.
In the main house, the two-storey entrance hall with a cosy fireplace serves as a living room. From this hall there is access to a spacious kitchen and a veranda, which is used as a dining room and further living room. From the entrance hall, a staircase leads to a large open mezzanine with a double bed and another single bed, which can sleep 3 people comfortably. In this 'Bedroom 2' there is also a TV and 2 desks with WiFi connection and a printer. The bathroom is located on the ground floor and is accessible from the kitchen. In addition to a bath, shower and separate toilet, there is also a washing machine and tumble dryer. In the main house there is another large bedroom 'Bedroom 1' with a bathroom, a living area, a large balcony and its own entrance.
The adjoining house can accommodate up to 6 people. On the upper floor there are two bedrooms with double beds and a bathroom. The lower floor has a bedroom with two single beds and access via the terrace to a toilet and an open-air shower. The most used room in the annexe is usually the summer kitchen and the beautiful covered terrace with its marvellous view over the unspoilt Rouberau valley.
The third building is a small tower that was originally used for wine production. This 'guest house' is at the end of the garden and sleeps 3 people. Upstairs, there is a double bedroom with en-suite (via a staircase) access to a modern bathroom under the roof. On the ground floor, there is a stone vaulted room with a single bed and a kitchenette. The terrace in front of the tower offers great views, has an outdoor shower and invites you to relax.
A gardener/gardener with a lovely dog has lived in a flat under the veranda of the main house for almost 10 years. He makes his early morning rounds through the garden and to the swimming pool. He is very discreet and only has contact with guests on request.
Excursions, sport and culture:
There are great opportunities for canoeing in the rocky river valleys of the Ardèche region - especially at Vallon-Pont-d'Arc in the Ardèche and at Les Vans in the Chassezac. The necessary equipment can be hired locally. Competent guides can also organise great canyoning tours with swimming, abseiling, etc.
In the limestone rocks of the region there are huge cathedral-like caves such as l'Aven d'Orgnac and Cocalière, which are open to tourists. Experienced speleologists also lead private groups into lesser-known caves. The most spectacular is the Caverne de Pont d'Arc near Vallon Pont d'Arc with its world-famous rock paintings, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Mountain bikers and motorcyclists will also get their money's worth on the countless winding mountain roads in the Ardèche region.
The many picturesque old villages and small towns with their medieval churches and castles are great places to visit. Voguë, Balazuc, Labeaume, Joyeuse, Les Vans, Vals-Les-Bains, Antraigues-sur-Volane and of course Largentière have a special character. In the mountains near Thines (40 kilometres from Largentière) there is an ancient pilgrims' chapel where hikers still pass on their way to Saint Jaques de Compostelo.
Some small towns such as Aubenas, Les Vans and Largentière regularly organise lively and colourful markets offering authentic Ardèche specialities. Typical culinary delights include goat's cheese, ham, sausages, cailletes and chestnuts in a wide variety of preparations and, of course, many wines.
Restaurants:
There are a few secret tips of cosy eateries that offer rural but good cuisine. These restaurants are often hidden away in remote villages. In the high season in July and August, reservations are essential.
1) 'Le Mas de la Madeleine' above Largentière, 10 minutes' walk from Mas Saint Esprit
2) 'Auberge de la Tour de Brison in Sanilhac, 7km by car
3) 'L'Olivier Papïolive' in Les Vans, 40 minutes by car; very good, local cuisine and beautifully situated
4) 'La Table du Moulin' in Brès-Payzac, 30 minutes by car from Mas Saint Esprit, it belongs to the olive mill 'Moulin du Vincent' where there is also an interesting shop with many local products.
5) Domaine de Bournet: Restaurant La Bergerie and Grill La Ferme, 45 min of a beautiful drive; part of the Château de Bournet vineyard.
6) 'La Bastide de Sanhilac' in Quartier Laval, 07110 Sanilhac, 30 min, restaurant, bar, hotel, with a wonderful view7) L'Olivier de Païolive, route d'Alès, 07140 Les Vans. This friendly restaurant is situated above the charming town of Les Vans. Very good cuisine. Attention: large portions.
8) La Boucharade, café-restaurant, Lieu-dit Le Gua, sur la route D203 entre Joyeuse et Valgorge. Small, cosy restaurant with traditional cuisine in a beautiful old hamlet.
9) Restaurant de la Roseraie des Pommiers, 200m from the centre of Ruoms. The restaurant is open on all sides and is elevated in the marvellous garden of the Roseraie. Good and interesting cuisine with African influences often accompanied by a jazz band.
Gardens:
La Roseraie de Bertie, Collection de rosiers anciens, route de Berty, open May/June
Le Jardin de Nelly, exceptional garden, Bouteillac
Concerts:
July and August: Festival ' Labeaume-en-Musique ' - interesting open-air concerts in an imposing rocky gorge near Labeaume
Wineries:
Domaine des Lèbres in Banne
Domaine de Bournet, in Bourne. Vineyard, hotel, restaurants, golf & wine sales; approx. 45 min from Mas Saint Esprit. Wonderful drive, beautiful ensemble, good wines.
Maison Louis Latour in La Téoule, 7400 Alba-la-Romaine; vineyards around the beautiful old town of Alba; about 40 minutes from Mas Saint Esprit. Belongs to the famous Burgundian house and produces excellent wines in the Ardèche: Ardèche Chardonnay; Grand Ardèche, Duet, a Chardonnay-Viognier, Viognier.
Surroundings
Excursions : The many picturesque old villages and small towns with their medieval churches and castles are great places to visit. Voguë, Balazuc, Labeaume, Joyeuse, Les Vans, Vals-Les-Bains, Antraigues-sur-Volane and of course Largentière have a special character. In the mountains near Thines (40 kilometres from Largentière) there is an ancient pilgrimage chapel where hikers still pass on their way to Saint Jaques de Compostelo. Some small towns such as Aubenas, Les Vans and Largentière regularly organise lively and colourful markets offering authentic Ardèche specialities. Typical culinary delights include goat's cheese, ham, sausages, cailletes and chestnuts in a wide variety of preparations and, of course, many wines. Restaurants: There are a few secret tips for cosy eateries that offer good, rural cuisine. These restaurants are often hidden away in remote villages. In the high season in July and August, reservations are required. 1) 'Le Mas de la Madeleine' above Largentière, 10 minutes on foot from Mas Saint Esprit 2) 'Le Relais Fleuri' in Laurac-en-Vivarais, 15 minutes by car from Mas Saint Esprit. Claudio filmed the second 'A Place in France' TV series at the Relais Fleuri 3) 'Le Loupiot' in Largentière, 20 minutes walk from Mas Saint Esprit, offers simple but very good cuisine and is run by a couple who were also filmed in 'A Place in France' 4) 'La Table du Moulin' in Brès-Payzac, 30 minutes by car from Mas Saint Esprit, it belongs to the olive mill 'Moulin du Vincent' where there is also an interesting shop with many local products. Concerts: Music lovers can attend interesting open-
