My husband and I spent the most perfect week with our two children at this charming house just outside the village of Gordes - considered one of the most beautiful in France! The location is nothing s… More
Response from the owner Thank you for your lovely review. Come back again anytime.
A fabulous house, completely private, just a mile from the delighful Gordes, one of France's 100 most beautiful villages, in some lovely typical Provencal countryside. The house is nicely furnis… More
Response from the owner I was speaking to someone who hosts in Greece and she put it quite simply that it makes one happy to be part of a good life experience. Thank you too. It was great to have you stay.
This is the perfect spot for a perfect holiday. It always feels like home. It is a few minutes down the hill from Gordes. There are a few houses around, but you can't see them through all the tre… More
Response from the owner Thank you so much. Always thrilled that you had a wonderful time and always happy to have you stay. Perfect guests. I must try out some of your finds.
Wonderful house, grounds and pool, with some mysterious spots at the boundaries. Get your bread and patisserie at Mamie Jeanne in Gordes - simply the best. Sunday lunch outside at the old post office … More
Nous avons réservé la maison Belle de Jour pour le week end du 1er mai 2017. Excellent contact préalable avec Valérie la propriétaire, qui a gentiment répondu… More
Response from the owner Merci. C'etais un grand plaisir de vous accueillir chez moi. J'espere que vous retournerez un jour et trouver aussi une plus belle maison. Merci encore.
My husband and I spent three perfect days at this magical villa. We loved it when we rented it 4 years ago. We loved the stylish modern decor with attention to details .The pool was beautiful and the … More
Response from the owner Thank you for the great review. Just want to point out that the upgrades were done some years ago, previous to the bad review. In fact that is why the review was also particularly upsetting. and untrue. Glad you enjoyed it.
We arrived at this house to find a green murky pool. The owner Valerie initially accepted there was an issue but gave no reassurances over the time to resolve the situation. We decided to move on to… More
Response from the owner I will most certainly respond. The guests contacted me as soon as they arrived to complain about the pool. I contacted my pool person immediately who explained to me that there had been a massive storm a few days previously which caused the PH of the pool to be unbalanced and it had to settle down for the products to work. Even though the pool was not at its clear best, it was absolutely useable ( just like the Rio Olympic pool...). Regardless of this, the same day, I contacted a highly reputable and recommended pool company to come and see what they could do. Mr. Carnaudo of Bleu Luberon assured me that the pool was not perfect but the colour was not that bad ( I was very surprised to hear this given Mr. Quilter's description) and that the pool was completely useable. He also told me that it would be fine in two days (this is a company recommended by the prestigious Rosier Estate Agents in Gordes ...I wanted the best and was prepared to pay for this). I conveyed this to the guests and to my surprise, they were insistant on leaving ASAP and told me they had already booked somewhere else. I explained again that the second opinion and intervention to sort out the pool assured me it would be fine in two days. On the 29th June, I was sent photos by this new pool company to assure me that the pool had improved a great deal. I have these photos and I certainly didn't see any child. My pool man Jonathan also came to attend to the pool. He has a child so as he also photographed the pool ( to show me that it was fine). Perhaps his child was in the photo but certainly the photo showing a clear pool was definitely my pool taken at that time Mr. Quilter was staying there. Jonathan has worked for me for 13 years. He has never taken a photo of my pool except on this occasion and I also vouch for his honesty. the suggestion by Mr. Quilter that I or Jonathan or the second pool company I had called in had produced another photo taken another time is absolutely UNTRUE. Mr.Quilter left on the afternoon of the 6th day ( I was surprised, he had stayed so long). I contacted Holidaylettings and explained the situation and that I had at first immediately agreed to return all payment to Mr. Quilter based on his complaints from the first day. I explained and sent Holidaylettings photos taken by the two pool men showing the pool and asked what sort of refund I should be giving. They assured me that the Quilter's complaints did not warrant a refund at all and that the issue was resolved in less then 3 days and they could have stayed and enjoyed the greater part of their holiday instead of deciding to leave on day one. My gardener also told me that the guests said they didn't like the house and wanted to leave. I has already sensed that there were alterior motives for this immediate decision to leave the house. I would normally not hesitate to refund money. I had to do that two years ago when the pool had some algae. Because of this I spent €10.000 refurbishing the pool last year...so it is in essence ...a new pool. I take my role as a host very very seriously. I get anxious if things go wrong...but as people can see from all my reviews, guests love the place and fully appreciate how attentive I am to make their stay something special and it is a great pleasure. I took my advise from Holidayletting regarding the refund so I don't think I did anything wrong. There is air conditioning in the whole of the downstairs ( living room and kitchen/diner) and an electric fan in one of the bedrooms. There are three double patio doors and a window downstairs and if these are open, there is plenty of through breeze to cool the house and it is lovely. I ask guests not to use the aircon unnecessarily in both summer and slightly colder months when it can be used to heat the house too. This is what we practice in our own homes. When I rent other people's homes I am mindful of all these things including leaving lights on unnecessarily and some hosts do remind guests . I don't see how that is wrong. I would rather keep all costs down so the rates are also lower rather then increasing rates because guests are extravagant and careless of consumption. Besides, aircon only really works if you close all the doors and windows and allow the cold air to cool the house. Natural breeze does it even better.. Finally, I also am happy to say that this is very much an isolated incident. I am sorry the Quilter's felt the pool problem which was resolved in two days warranted leaving five days into their holiday with five more days to enjoy themselves. Its always sad when people are not happy but I do a lot to ensure a wonderful experience all round and so far I am thrilled by the acknowledgement of so many wonderful guests over 14 years.
The only word to define our stay at Belle de Jour is outstanding. We chose to stay there as a way to relax prior to our return home. We loved the ambiance and blissful setting. What is wonderful about the house, it is on one hand so delightfully relaxing yet close to animated areas for dinner and shopping. Valerie , the owner, is a delight. Belle de Jour is a must for anyone visiting the Luberon. It is certainly a must on my list.
Response from the owner It gives me great joy to know you had such a great time. I agree the region is a perfect blend of nature and culture. I hope to see you again.
We had a wonderful holiday, and Belle de Jour could not have been a better place to spend our 10th wedding anniversary. We loved the building, both inside and out, and felt it had so much character, from the furnishings to the stone walls and stairs that really gave it the air of an old farmhouse. It was completely beautiful. We loved the seclusion, the view and (of course) the quite breathtaking pool which we spent many happy hours in, between exploring the surrounding countryside and villages. The villa is placed at the end of a quiet driveway, and is literally a five minute drive from the town of Gordes (officially one of the most beautiful villages in France) - alternatively, if you enjoy a walk there is a shortcut along empty lanes which brings you out, after a peaceful 20 minutes, by the main road into the village. Belle de Jour itself is stunning, very secluded, with an amazing private swimming pool. Inside, the villa has all the amenities you could ask for, and is tastefully furnished throughout. Downstairs is the main dining / living room, bathroom (plus luxurious shower) plus WC, upstairs the two bedrooms (on two separate floors) (the topmost bedroom has its own en suite bathroom). We stayed for two weeks in order to make the most of the trip, hiring a car and alternating between lazing around the pool and exploring the many beautiful villages in the area - Belle de Jour is really perfectly placed to do so. It was magical to sit out in the evening with the pool lights on, just listening to the cicadas. All in all, we couldn't fault this as a place to stay. The holiday was a present to ourselves to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary and first foreign holiday (from the UK) since we got married. This idyllic holiday villa was, quite simply, the best choice we could have made. The owner, Valerie, was a wonderful person to deal with, and despite our laughable French all of the locals we met were equally friendly. We definitely hope to return!
Response from the owner Thank you for a wonderful review and really happy you enjoyed it so much. Belle De Jour seems to have quite an effect on people. I never want to leave once I arrive even during the colder months. Hope to see you again.
I wanted to find a two week retreat in order to finish a script i had begun writing in New York City last winter. I stumbled upon a dear friend of mine who told me about a very charming and picturesque house rental in the south of France she stayed at the year before. Knowing she thoroughly understood me as well as my taste and fancy, without further do, I swiftly arranged for my sojourn at "Belle de Jour". Its pleasing and attractive architectural design had me smitten at first glance and I immediately knew i had found my perfect getaway.…... With its exquisite gardens, its relaxing pool, its soulful and heartfelt decorative style, "Belle De Jour" made my stay memorable and bestowed upon me the feeling of passion, enthusiasm and the resonant spirit i needed to conjure in order to complete my project. It also granted me the much needed calm and serene atmosphere when i could just unwind and "let go". Indeed, after a two week stay in wonderland, it was very difficult to depart this magnificent sanctuary, sweet asylum and harbor of peace. I can only strongly recommend a sweet escape - getaway vacation at this wonderful property. I am looking forward to going back to "Belle De Jour" and the enchanting Gordes region for my next project or just to spend precious and sincere moments with family and friends.
Response from the owner Thank you. It was a pleasure to have you stay.