Nestled between the Bellevue and Nord districts of Aix-en-Provence, this gorgeous flat offers an escape from the bustling city centre. While you can still stroll down towards cultural landmarks like Cézanne’s Studio in just over twenty minutes, you get more of an experience of provincial life in this area – with some added luxuries. In a modernist block of flats, surrounded by the traditional plane tree species of the region, sophisticated city interiors meet outdoor delights. Your open-plan living space features modern furniture with bright cushions at one end, and a charcoal-coloured kitchen at the other. We love the chunky, butcher’s block dining island, where you can nibble olives and gaze out to views of the lush, green, landscapes. Another option would be popping open a bottle of pinot noir and dining alfresco on your private terrace – anyone for a top-up? After dinner, you can feel like a true local by heading down for a game of pétanque under the canopy of trees. Or you might prefer to lounge by the pool as the sun goes down over the countryside (perhaps it’ll even be warm enough for a midnight dip).

Home truths:
*You can park for free in the private, onsite car park
*The pétanque court, swimming pool, and the entrance to the building are shared with other residents, not private to your home
*There is no dedicated workspace, but plenty of laptop-friendly spots
*Your host can arrange for all sorts of extra services, such as airport transfer, breakfast, housekeeping, and ticket bookings – check with them about availability and pricing
*You'll need to climb some stairs, as this flat is on the second floor with no lift
*To check in between 9 pm and midnight, there's a €22 fee, which increases to €44 between midnight and 6 am