Welcome

'Girard' is part of 'Domaine de Tranzy' a beautiful 17th century farm situated just outside the charming village of La Baume de Transit, in the Rhone valley at the heart of northern Provence. It is bordered by the river Lez and surrounded by vineyards, lavender fields and truffle oaks. Here you will find beauty, peace, tranquility and a gentle pace of life.

La Baume de Transit [five minutes walk] has a population of 850 and boasts a bar, a bakery, a small grocery and a post office. It is in the centre of the Tricastin vineyards and is home to the famous 'black diamonds' truffles. The village is dominated by its ruined castle and has a unique eleventh century church. In the middle ages, Baume was a smuggling centre between Provence and the Papal Enclave.

Here there really is "something for everybody". To the south are the main attractions of Provence: the Roman ruins of Orange, Nimes, Arles, Pont du Gard and Vaison La Romaine; the walled city of Avignon (home of the Popes in the 14th Century) and the cliff top fortified village of Les Baux. There are curiosities such as the Fontaine de Vaucluse, where at times of high rainfall, water bursts from a cave in the mountainside and gushes down the river, or even the surprisingly popular crocodile farm.

To the east Mount Ventoux with its panoramic views, part of the route of the Tour de France, towers above Vaison la Romaine, which has the best market in Provence as well as lots of brilliant Roman ruins and a varied cultural programme, based in the Roman theatre.

To the west lies the Ardeche Gorge with its dramatic rock faces and beautiful river. The drive along the Ardeche to Vallon Pont d'Arc is staggeringly beautiful. Apart from viewing the scenery, activities range from visits to spectacular underground caverns, impressively ornamented with colourful stalagmites and stalactites, to canoeing along the river through the steep sided gorge.

To the north and east are the foothills of the Alps with Parc Vercor, the centre of the Resistance. The area is superb for motor-touring with spectacular scenery and stop-offs at the famous "perched villages", also popular with cyclists.

A bit further a field but still within 80 minutes driving lies the old port of Marseilles, the beaches of Saints Maries de la Mer and the wild life of the Carmargue with its wild white horses and bulls.

'Girard'

This beautifully restored stone building with its traditional terra cotta Roman tile roof and enclosed courtyard garden with ancient Provencal covered well, is full of character.

The living room has a stone fireplace, tiled floor and features niches and beamed ceiling. The furniture is in keeping with the Provencal style and a sofa bed provides possible sleeping facilities for fifth and sixth persons. There is a satellite television receiving many English channels.

The kitchen has a five-burner cooker, fridge/freezer, dishwasher and a double sink - cooking utensils, crockery, glassware and cutlery are all provided.

The dining room has a beamed ceiling and a stone Provencal arched window, opening on to the courtyard garden, with gas barbecue.
The dining table seats six and an infant high chair is available. A small side room houses a further sink and a clothes washer.

A stone staircase leads to two pretty bedrooms and a large bathroom. The bathroom has a walk-in shower, toilet and basin. The bedrooms are spacious with high, beamed ceilings, ample storage space and double beds. Single beds can be provided to replace one of the doubles and an infant cot is available.

Behind the main farmhouse, in a beautifully landscaped garden with olive, fruit and palm trees, is an eleven by five metre swimming pool with raised terraces flanking an open cloister with beams and a beautiful ancient fountain.

You'll find here lovely old buildings, a sense of space and a wonderfully relaxing environment.