We were calling this gorgeous spot “The Bastide.” As in “after wine tasting, let’s head back to The Bastide.” I looked up the word bastide and it says “fortified castle.” This is more like a “Farmhouse Manor in Provence.” But to the lucky 25 of us that spent a week here, it will always be The Bastide.
This was the annual trip with the group that started out as the guys’ group of college friends. But after… 25+ years of close friendships with the wives and having our kids grow up together, we are more like family. Everyone contributes ideas of where to go on vacation now. When we had babies and small children, we rented beach condos next to each and each condo put on a dinner night.
It’s gotten a little more elaborate 🙂
Dorothy actually found this Farmhouse Manor in Provence gem, through Villas of Distinction Bastide de St. Martin. And my husband, Howard did all the organizing. I almost want to keep this special place a secret…but not from you, my faithful reader! Just keep it our secret, though, ok? 🙂
This is the living room. There is a movie screen that lowers on the other side. We all watched “A Good Year” (about a vineyard in Provence with Russell Crowe) in here one rainy afternoon.
Here is the foosball table. There were also tennis courts, a pool table, and board games…plenty of fun things to do at night. We spent most days touring but every night at home since the place is remote with winding narrow roads, through lovely fields…but no lighting. They also have a nice sound system so there was also quite a bit of dancing after dinner.
This is the kitchen that cranked out 25 breakfasts and dinners (we hired a private chef and assistant) each day.
Aren’t these colors pretty? This is the sink outside the powder room and the closet holds tennis gear.
Here is one of the master bedrooms in the main house.
There is also a guest house with four bedrooms on the other side of the graveled courtyard.
This is one of the bedrooms in the guesthouse. 
Here we all are at lunch one day.
This is the table set for dinner. 
With flowers from the garden and the chilled dry Rosé de Provence that we consumed like water. My body consisted of French bread, cheese and rosé (I’m currently on Weight Watchers).
My daughter, Alie and I took this shot on a little walk before dinner. Doesn’t it look like a painting? Think I should frame it?
One bummer to this Farmhouse Manor in Provence dream was that I had a horrible cold and cough during most of the trip. It’s finally almost gone. C’est la vie.
I’m feeling super fortunate though! Au revoir, Bastide.
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And check out my Travel Pinterest boards for lots of recommendations for California and around the world.
Have a great day!
This looks like a wonderful place to stay! I have to bookmark this for a future stay with a big group of family and friends. Have a fabulous weekend.
This is truly right out of my dreams Mary Ann….to be in such a beautiful place, with all your friends and family….it must have been amazing! Loved the pictures when you were traveling and so enjoyed this post! Sending it to my Framily – friends that are like family – right now!
I dream of good big there some day. Hubby says after he retires.
It’s gorgeous! I love the deep ochre crépi.
A bastide is a fortified … place. It could be a city (the “new” town of Carcassonne, which dates to 1260, is called la Bastide because it was surrounded by a fortified wall). It could be a town or just a farm. Back in the day (14th century) gangs and marauders would roam the countryside and pillage whatever they came across. So people sought safety in numbers.
Anyway, it’s gorgeous, and very well thought-out.
Can’t wait for more photos!!!
I knew you would know!!
I use a photo app called Waterlogue. It applies different “effects” to your photos; some look like paintings. Your photo would be pretty printed and framed after applying a painted effect from an app like Waterlogue.
I have that app, Catherine and love it 🙂
What a beautiful post and what a wonderful tradition to plan a trip with this group each year! I’m wondering, do your grown kids join every year as well? We have been a part of a dinner group since our kids were 2 and are now 18! I think we are ready for the big time and we should plan a trip like this! What a beautiful home and such a great idea to hire a chef and asst each day for breakfast and dinner. Who wants to be doing dishes after serving that many people while on vacation! So funny about weight watchers after your rose and cheese diet! That’s my kind of diet! Thanks for sharing! xo
Yes, the grown kids come and range in age from 30 to 17 now. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment!
Such a beautiful location for vacation. You are so fortunate to have such a wonderful group of friends to make memories with!
I know, Nancy!! Thanks for your comment.
What a beautiful place to vacation with family and friends. I would love to do that some day! I just love France but haven’t traveled to that region yet. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Melina. I love following your family on Instagram!
I love following your family’s trips on Instagram, Melina!
Oh Mary Ann, what a fabulous place to spend a dream vacation with 25 close friends! Such a beautiful villa complete with fun and a chef to cook for you. You definitely need to frame a print of that meadow. Would you be OK if I did a painting and use it as my reference? Love the pic of the four of you, such a beautiful family.
xo Gail
The trip of a lifetime, and your descriptions take us there too!
Beautiful that you have a group of like minded friends, and that your children still choose to vacation with you!
Enjoyed your post.
We keep thinking that someday the kids will have their own lives and vacations…but for now it sure is fun. Thanks, Kim.
Bonjour Madame,
what a dreamy trip! so lucky to have this group of friends!!!
your family is soooo cute, your photo’s dreamy, especially the one you are thinking of framing, DO!
xx debra
ps; when on your site, I mark “save my name, etc. it never does. then again, I am lazy xo
I know, Debra…I don’t get that why it makes you check it each time. It’s does it on other blogs, too. I need to investigate. Thanks for your sweet comment.
Beautiful and dreamy. When your kids plan their own trips my guess is they’ll be begging you to join them. Good life!
Yes, Carol… that would be great if they asked!
What a simply AMAZING place Mary Ann. How lucky you are to have such a special group of friends to enjoy annual trips with. I’m so sorry to hear you were sick, though your lovely family portrait does not give that away. You transported me this morning, now I want to go!
Thanks, Celia…it sure was fun.
Thank you for sharing. Your pictures are say it all!
Thanks, Keven. It was a fun trip.
What a wonderful tradition with long time friends, and to have your kids with you must have been so much fun.
Glad you’re feeling better.
Karen
Thanks, Karen for your sweet comment!
Beautiful post and photos. Great eye.
Netta
Wow. What a dream. I can’t get over the fact that so many people travel together.
That’s amazing!!!!
Love this story.
WOW….no words! What a fabulous trip!