Le Mas Blanc - the Priory

Le Mas Blan exists for almost 800 years and is originally a Benedictine Monastery. It is a mythical place, beautifully situated in a nature reserve on the border of Provence and the Cevennes. The renovated monastery is overlooking the surrounding hills and the 40 hectares of private forests, terraces, and hiking trails along our own waterwells. The heated swimming pool is not far from the beautifully restored accommodations. Are you looking for a holiday home in the South of France or better still a holiday home with swimming pool in Provence or Cevennes, then you have come to the right place.

the Priory

Every respecting monastery had a Priory. The Priory was separate from the monastery and was built for the Prior. The Prior was “the boss” of the abbots of several monasteries. He traveled around and had his own home in every monastery. The Prior was the controlling factor that spoke to each individual monk. So is was wise to keep him as your friend ! Not surprisingly he got the most beautiful house !

That is why it is also the most beautiful house we have. And not only because of the breathtaking view. Like the Mas Blanc, the Priory is “protected in the back” by one of the evergreen oak-covered hills of the Cévennes. It is slightly higher than the Mas Blanc. You reach your holiday home through a private path that starts behind the parking lot. It shows you the way to just below the Priory. From here the last few meters are done on foot. With a curve up you reach your entrance. There is also the place where your children can set up a tent. 

In the spacious living room (6 × 6 m), your attention is immediately drawn to the glass wall. Nearly every guest who enters here experineces a sincere WOW feeling. He walks through the patio doors and is silenced by the view. The panorama covers the horizon from north-east to south. The variety of trees, the lines, the depth of the hills, the distant mountains, and the constantly changing light make this an experience that you will remember. 

There are two comfortable loungers with supplied pillows. The terrace (6 × 3 m) is low walled. You can sit on it. Because of the low wall (50 cm) the priory is not suitable for (too) small children.

Living room

Lets go back inside. The living room has an antique dining table with 4 chairs with a wicker seat. The flap box is handy for storing your small items. A two-seater sofa with some cushions and side tables together with the stove complete the interior. If you come with three people, there is enough space here to add a third bed.

In short, all prerequisites for a special holiday are here. 

Kitchen

In the back of the living room, the kitchen looks out onto the terrace and the private garden. The 5 burner gas hob with hanging extractor invites you to cook on the Tuesdays and Fridays when our restaurant is closed.

Bathroom

In the bathroom, tiled with light mosaic, a high window has been placed towards the private garden. There is a washbasin, a toilet and a spacious shower.

Bedroom

The bedroom is directly opposite the bathroom. There is a double bed (160 × 200) whose headboard and bedside tables are covered with ardoise, a matte stone with many dark shades. You store your luggage in the ceiling-high cupboard with a hanging section. She is hidden behind long curtains, (self) made of antique fabrics.

View

Even outside the guest season, the view from the terrace continues to amaze.

Nature: The Mas Blanc is located in the specific surroundings where the Provence and certainly the Cévennes are known for. Rest, swimming in the heated pool and the many rivers, will offer you the relaxation you are looking for.

Activities: In the immediate vicinity you can make large and small walks and bike rides from the former monastery. We have prepared routes for this purpose. The same applies to people who prefer to explore the area by car. But a canoe trip on the Cèze or Ardèche is often on the program. For the larger children there is an adventure park within walking distance where they can climb in the trees. 

Cities and Villages: Are you interested in the culture of the region? Then you will enjoy yourselves in the cities of Avignon, Uzès, Nimes en Montpellier. “Les 5 plus beaux villages de France”) are so close, that you can visit them in one beautiful day trip by car. 

Direct surroundings: The Mas Blanc is ideal for exploring the southern French Cevennes, Ardèche and Provence. Saint Ambroix is ​​only a few kilometers away. On Tuesday morning the people from near and far come together for the weekly market. 

Day trip: The river Cèze offers many opportunities for swimming, fishing or canoeing. But also the beach is an easily accessible destination for a day trip. 

Museums: We name 10 of them, but there are many more.  
Pont du Gard   
The silk museum    
Saint Quentin la poterie    
Un siecle de roulottes    
Le musée 1900    
Prehistorama    
the fossil forest    
Les Baux – de- Provence    
Sweets museum Haribo    
The Mining museum.   

Caves: In the immediate vicinity there are 4 caves to visit. Very exciting and current is the “Grotte de Chauvet”. He has been opened for the public just recently. This, now world famous, cave discovered by chance just in 1994 . The cave was inhabited more than 30,000 years ago (in the stone age) by the inhabitants of this region. Hundreds of drawings of animals whose existence was not yet known have been found . Only scientists and honored guests can visit the real cave, which is on the Unesco World Heritage List. But the French authorities have built a replica for a total cost of 55 million euros, that can not be distinguished from the real one. From the location of your holiday home on the Mas Blanc, this cave can be reached within 45 minutes.