Six friends from Spain, New Zealand, Norway, and the USA decided to celebrate some major birthdays (80, 75, 70) and thought “Let’s head to the south of France in September”. Lucky for us we found Sarah Brown and Shep Ferguson’s house in Les Martins! What a delight - perfect for our exploring, yoga, swimming, eating and drinking rose! It was very comfortable for all of us with plenty of bedrooms and bathrooms; the unique and interesting living room with the wonderful old bakery door still visible in the corner; the library terrace for our evening glass of rose while watching the sunset over the misty Luberon hills; the large covered terrace for our morning croissants and cafe au lait; the lovely narrow dining table from an ancient abbey which made our evening meals so intimate; the well equipped kitchen where we jostled and laughed and drank rose as we prepared our meals. Each day we’d sojourn to one or two wonderful towns in the area - Gordes, Roussilion, L’Oppede de Vieux, Lourmarin - exploring old castles, churches, markets, and stopping for lunch, with rose of course! Sarah Brown, our hostess, was a delight - greeting our arrival with her lovely yellow lab, Gaston, and soup au pistou and local rose! She was a font of knowledge of the area and a wonderful cook. It was fascinating to learn her family’s history in Les Martins and to hear how they purchased the old bakery in 1959 and turned it into this charming, book-filled and comfortable home. We’d go back in an instant - maybe for 85, 80 75 - or any birthdays in between!

We had a truly delightful stay at Shep and Sarah's family home. Every morning we enjoyed our coffee and croissants on the veranda taking in the view of the Luberon Mountains, the namesake of the valley where the village of Les Martins sits. The accommodations are simple yet elegant and comfortable. It is real authentic country Provence, a house filled with vintage treasures and eclectic artwork. We had ample space, large clean bathrooms and light filled bedrooms with panoramic views to the mountains. In the warm afternoons we made our way down to swim in the pool or we headed out by car to roam the narrow streets of the neighboring villages. The house is within close proximity to several lovely markets and wineries. In the evenings we could prepare a meal with Sarah's expert advice, a culinary institution in her own right. The rustic old kitchen performs well and the large farm table straddling the huge fireplace is a lovely place to dine. Staying here was an absolute highlight of our trip to France. We hope to make this a regular stop in the years to come as our hearts yearn for such a classic and authentic experience.

We have had a wonderful time in the house. We spent two weeks with six adults and three kids. The house is very spacious but also very cosy and very unique in style. From the garden and the pool you get a great view on the Luberon. The property is close to Gordes and Goult.

Long overdue review as our family has rented this house during August for the last 6 years and will do so again in August 2016. Why do we keep coming back? The house is lovely and perfectly set up for two or even three families with 4 bedrooms in the main house (a former Bakery) and 2 bedrooms in the wing (the former Stables). Plenty of room to be social indoors or out even a wonderful Library. Great location situated in a very pretty part of the Luberon on the north side of the valley with wonderful light. Below the house are 10 acres of apple trees, vineyards & fields. Traffic and people are at a distance. The kitchen is nicely furnished as the house was used for many years as a cooking school. Excellent knives, pans, etc., easy to imagine you were roughing it like Julia Child in the early 1970s! The pool is a social center for kids and adults during hot days. The ruins of a Roman tannery are just visible through the bean plants that provide shade by the chairs near the shallow end. For folks not experts in the region, Sarah (who lives next door) is a wealth of information on everything from different markets, to regional history (she is a trained historian), to how to cook an entire suckling pig. And for those with less-than-perfect French, Sarah's English is perfect. Enjoy! San Francisco Family

We have rented this house for two consecutive years and cannot say enough good things about our stay in this historic structure. The home is well maintained and perfect for large groups. It boasts the perfect amenities and location for introducing friends and family to Provence. After touring famed hilltop villages (minutes away) or the large attractions of Avignon, Arles, Aix-en-Provence, and Cassis (an hour or less drive), our typical day would include a stop at the local markets and well-appointed grocery store in nearby Coustellet followed by relaxation at the spacious swimming pool. The kitchen provides all you need to make authentic Provencal meals and he views of the Luberon range from the house and terrace provided a perfect setting for long dinners on the terrace. Sarah Brown provided us with expert advice on touring the countryside and historical context of the region that made these trips much more meaningful. We will return to this special place again and again.