Le Mas Blanc - the Bakery

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 Bakery

The monasteries used to be completely self-sufficient, certainly in the 12th century. So there was also a bakery in the main building. Because it is located on the ground floor, a huge chimney ran through the entire building up to the roof. The chimney was built in such a way, that both the adjacent house of the abbot and the refectory above it, were heated. In that wide chimney, in which we have built your kitchen, the homemade sausages were also smoked.

You will enjoy your holiday in this former bakery. Through the windows (with interior doors) that follow the arched shape of the ceiling, you will have a beautiful view on the courtyard with its many potted plants and flowers. To the left the beautiful recesses in the wall, in which the “baker monk” stored his utensils. Now you can put your cooking utensils there. The kitchen window shows the former entrance to the dome oven.

On the wall you can see the ring which hinged the heavy oven door. The original oven door has been preserved and stands against the wall outside the Bakery. Central heating is available in the living room and in the bedroom. This makes the Bakery a desirable apartment in the spring and autumn. In the hot summer months there is an extra benefit. The more than one meter thick bedroom walls provide a pleasant constant temperature of 23 degrees, while the outside is considerably warmer.

The bakery terrace is located on the east side of the building, a few meters from your holiday home.

Living room:

You enter the living room of the Bakery through the courtyard. The apartment is characterized by small level differences, the thick walls and the arched ceiling. Prominently present is the sturdy wooden dining table with beautifully shaped legs. The farmer’s chairs around it and the low cupboard with cut-out hearts provide a relaxed atmosphere.

Kitchen:

Two steps up and you are standing in the kitchen with the stone top, including a cupboard and fridge.

Private Terrace:

On this photo you see your terrace. In the morning sun you can have breakfast here and if it gets too hot in the afternoon, you can choose the shade of the fig tree.

Romantic bedroom:

We chose this apartment for ourselves to sleep in, during our honeymoon. The double bed is connected with 4 steps to the living room and therefore lies slightly lower. Under the soft light of the bedside lamp, it is wonderful to relax with a book.

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.