Mas des Patres is an 18th Century Renovated Provencal Stone Mas located 1Km from the center of the Medieval village of Uzes. We are well situated 30 Km from Nimes and 35 Km from Avignon within easy driving distance of one of the finest wine producing regions in France. Historic sites such as the Pont Du Gard, Baux de Provence, the Palace of Popes, Pont d'Avignon and Nimes Colliseum are short car rides. The Mediteranean is 60Km away and the famous Camargues National Park with its pink flamingos, white horses, and black bulls is less than an hour from our door.In the distance, seen from the road that winds from the village of Arpaillargues eastward to Uzes, across brilliant sunflower fields and
emerald-green vineyards, Mas des Patres looms as an authentic emblem of old Provence.
Its thick stone walls are a pale beige in the sunshine, its terra cotta tile roof a coppery red, and its hillside terrain,
terraced into flat lawns and gardens edged by stone walls, a reminder of the "patres" (shepherds) who once tended flocks here.
Approaching closer, one sees above the windows decorative carvings, now worn smooth by time, that were part of the original house
erected some five hundred years ago.
Now thoroughly restored and equipped with modern comforts, the Mas' appeal is further enhanced by being close to Uzes,
a prosperous and eminently photogenic Provencal town whose genuine antiquity and yearound vibrant cultural life draw visitors
(and movie directors in a search of a ready-made medieval set) from all over the world. Mas des Patres was used as a main setting
in a French TV film in 2000.
The town is also famed for its colorful open-air market on Saturday mornings,which is supplemented by a produce market every Wednesday.
Mas des Patres is entered through an electronically controlled wrought-iron gate that opens to a long driveway flanked by stands of cypress and bamboo. The driveway terminates in a parking area, bordered on one side by the swimming pool and on the other by flowerbeds planted with roses.Beyond a small stone house (retained for storage by the owners), and across the courtyard of crushed gravel with its plantings of olive and fruit trees, lies the three-story mas with its five bedrooms, five baths and impressive common rooms.
The living room has two seating areas, one with a sofa and armchairs arranged in front of a large white stone fireplace,
and at the opposite end a cozy library with a small collection of books & games in English and French. An especially pleasing touch to this comfortable room is a small bar, constructed of white stone with a dark wood counter,
behind which there is a little tile alcove with running water
Beyond the living room is a formal dining room, perfect for convivial family meals, with a heavy wood table & tapestry chairs. French doors open onto the courtyard, and there are also sweeping views toward the scenic Cevennes mountains that lie in the distance to the west.
On the east side of the entrance hall is the modern kitchen. A large window overlooking the courtyard brings in abundant light, and next to the window is a large breakfast table. From the living room a broad staircase with wrought-iron railing rises to the first floor,
where there are four comfortable bedrooms, all with antique doors, marble or terra cotta tile floors and windows overlooking the courtyard.
Each of the bedrooms is warmly furnished with simple but tastefully chosen country antiques.
While each bedroom has its own decorative style, all have either an armoire or a spacious in-wall closets, bedside tables
with good reading lamps, alarm clock with radio and full-length draperies that frame the south-facing windows.
The master bedroom is especially comfortable, with an extra-large king-sized bed (200 cm., 80 inches across)as well as a discreetly placed single bed.
The ensuite bath, tiled in a subdued red and yellow pattern, has a stall shower but no bathtub.
The other three bedrooms on this floor have queen-sized beds that if desired can be separated to form twin beds.
Two of these bedrooms share a handsomely tiled full bath with jet tub and overhead shower just across the hall,
while the third has an ensuite bath with stall shower.
Guests may also take advantage of an additional bathroom with overhead shower that opens from the foyer on the ground level.
The crowning touch, so to speak, of this practically designed Mas is the final bedroom, situated on the uppermost level.
Here guests who desire special privacy can climb the wide, curving staircase from the middle level, close the antique wood door and enjoy
their own little suite of rooms. The cozy bedroom is furnished with a queen-sized bed ( which can be separated into twins),
an armoire and bedside tables with lamps. The ceiling has its original beams, and the terra cotta tile floor has been restored.
The ensuite bath includes an excellent stall shower with lateral jets and glass door, marble-top vanity and - as with all of the five bathrooms
at Mas des Patres - a water closet. From the bathroom there is a lovely view west toward the Cevennes.
No less impressive than its interior features are the outdoor amenities at Mas des Patres. The fenced and gated 9.5m X 4.5 m (30' X 15')
pool is well equipped with chaises lounges, chairs & pool games, and is some 30 meters from the main house,
and thus safe for children under supervision.
The spacious grounds include numerous fruit and olive trees. On the lowest of the three terraced levels are a hammock and swing set. In warm months meals can be enjoyed in the courtyard, where a wrought iron table and chairs, a large parasol and a built-in stone barbecue comprise a pleasant area for outside dining. A second, smaller table can also be moved over to accommodate larger parties.
Mas des Patres has a alarm system for security and is a wonderful house for occupancy at any time of year. Numerous historic sites
like the amazing Pont du Gard are within an easy drive. The Uzes cathedral, originally constructed in 1090,
destroyed by religious wars and rebuilt in 1652, has one of the finest organs in Provence, and is frequently
used for oratorical and chamber music concerts.
NOTE: The English-speaking owners of Mas des Patres offer guests
the choice of having the property entirely to themselves,
or in having the owners remain on the property in the stone cottage,
in which case they would be available for sightseeing and perhaps even meal preparation.
Contact Us:
William & Gisele Lieberman
Mas des Patres
40 Chemin du Paradis
30700 Uzes
France
tel: 0434322813
(direct dial from USA):011 33 434322813
Please e-mail your name, address, phone, email address as well as the # in your party and dates requested to: wlieber789@aol.com
If you have any questions or concerns please include these as well.
Our history:
The owners of Mas des Patres, Bill & Gisele bought this picturesque Provencal stone Mas in 1999. Bill is from the USA and Gisele is French, originally from the nearby historical city of Avignon. After meeting and marrying in 1994 then dealing with the hectic pace of a New York lifestyle for several years, we decided to take a year (or so) off and search for our second life. We found it in this beautiful Mas in the lively, friendly, and well located village of Uzès in southern France.
Mas des Pâtres is available year round for vacation rentals
Please inquire about rental prices
We normally rent by the week but long term rentals can be arranged
Please inquire for special occasions as well
Refundable security deposit required before each rental
Mas des Patres sits on the western slope of Uzes with magnificent sunsets which are often accompanied by a fine wine.
Mas des Patres was one of the main sites of a movie filmed in 2000