Le Mas du Couvin

Le Mas du Couvin is a 1970 Camargue farmhouse five kilometres from Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, restored with an architect from Arles and let to one group at a time, with a salt-treated swimming pond behind the reeds, 1.7 hectares of local planting and the Couvin marsh beyond the dining-room glass. Five bedrooms, each with its own bathroom and terrace.

Five king bedrooms sleep up to ten adults, and the extra beds that four of them take bring in four children. We’d suggest it for a family gathering, a group of friends who want horses, flamingos and empty beaches, or a small retreat with Pilates and massage available on request. Of the villas in Provence we place, it’s the one out on the marshes of the Parc naturel régional de Camargue.

THE HOUSE

The 270 square metres of living space are fully renovated, with travertine among the materials. A warm sitting room is set with sofas, the fully glazed dining room looks straight onto the marsh, and the kitchen is well equipped, with energy-saving appliances. Against the mosquitoes, the house uses biocompatible devices. There’s a carport for six cars, a garage for bikes and a charger for an electric car.

THE BEDROOMS

Every room has a king bed, a bathroom with a separate WC, a tray for coffee and tea, storage and a terrace of its own. Delta, Arlésienne and Sara are 21 square metres each: Arlésienne has a shower and a wide bay window, Delta takes an extra bed on request and Sara up to two. César, at 32 square metres, has a shower and a large bath and room for two extra beds. Upstairs, Flamants is the largest at 34 square metres, with the marsh in view from the bed through a vaulted bay window, a private terrace with an outdoor lounge and space for two extra beds.

THE GARDEN AND THE SWIMMING POND

Local plants cover the grounds, with umbrella pines and a pergola. Instead of a pool there’s a swimming pond, salt-treated and screened by reeds, open from April to October. A cabane stands on the shore of the étang de Gines, and beyond lies the Couvin marsh with its birdlife.

THE SERVICE

You’re welcomed on arrival and given the hosts’ local recommendations. A private chef, a Pilates instructor and a massage therapist can come to the house; you book them directly. The mas can also arrange concierge help, housekeeping, babysitting, yoga, breakfasts, aperitifs and dinners built on local produce and organic wines, and outings with its partners: horse rides at Mas Trinita, the Pont de Gau bird park, the salt marshes of Aigues-Mortes, a visit to a manade’s bulls, or a bike ride along the sea wall to the wild beaches.

THE RULES

Check-in is from 5 pm and check-out by 10 am. The minimum stay is two nights in low and mid season and five in high season, from 13 July to 15 September. Only one group stays at a time, and on arrival you sign the mas’s own rental agreement. Children are welcome.

THE LOCATION

The mas sits off the Route de Cacharel, five kilometres from Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer; from Arles you follow the D570 for about 30 kilometres to Pioch-Badet, then the D85A for four. Nîmes-Garons airport is 40 minutes away, Montpellier 1 hour 10, Avignon 1 hour 15 and Marseille 1 hour 30. By train, Arles station is 35 minutes and Nîmes Pont-du-Gard TGV 45. If your group would rather have a classic pool, our guide to villas in Provence with private pools sets out the alternatives across the region.

To check dates or request a quote for Le Mas du Couvin, write to [email protected].