Your contact:	Rod Cook
Telephone:	00 44 20 8133 1516
Email:	Click here to contact Maison Galileo

Maison Galileo is a two bedroom stone house with a swimming pool, tucked away on a small hillside in the stone agricultural hamlet of La Colle. There are only three properties in La Colle, so visitors are free to enjoy the tranquility of nature, with olive groves and lavendar fields within walking distance. The accommodation has received the Five Globes Award presented by World One Call, a private holiday referral service. Everything that the visitor needs is provided, including wi-fi internet access and CDs and DVDs to relax with.

Maison Galileo is set amid 30 hectares of private parkland. A 10 x 4.5 metre swimming pool is surrounded by a terraced area overlooking the valley, with plenty of sun loungers and both a gas and a traditional barbecue.

Entering the house, the ground floor is a large open-plan living - dining - kitchen area with a high oak-beamed ceiling. The living area has built-in comfortable seating and a television and stereo for relaxation.

The fully-equipped kitchen includes a four-burner gas stove, a combination hot air oven and microwave, a dishwasher, a large fridge with a separate freezer, and everything else necessary to look after your culinary needs.

Upstairs, the first double bedroom has a commanding view over the valley and its crested hills in the distance. The second double bedroom has a make up/ changing area with a hand-basin and an ensuite bathroom with a bath, shower, WC and basin.

The two bedrooms are located at opposite ends of the house, thus ensuring maximum privacy for its occupants. The accommodation is also equipped with a cot, high chair, baby bath, and other items for babies and small children.

La Colle is a very traditional Provençal hamlet, built several centuries ago, rich in history and culture. Within a five minute walk in any direction, you'll find serene and picturesque prairie, forest and lavender fields. The house is accessed by a narrow country lane, upon which it is not recommended to drive sport cars or caravans.

Maison Galileo is ideal for families with children of any age. English language assistance is available on site from the owners. The scenic landscape in the area is ideal for photographers and artists. Ask the owners about their professionally run photo safaris and painting holidays.

Special features:	• Pool on the property • Pets welcomed • Bilingual assistance available on site
Swimming pool:	10m x 4.5m outdoor pool (shared)

The principal town serving the area is Forcalquier where one will find all the necessary ingredients of such quality and variety that the preparation of a feast will become an immediate requirement. There are two supermarkets, and a host of small shops and businesses that will tempt your senses. Many of the products have been produced locally, tomatoes that taste like the real thing, local lamb that has been brought up organically on the prairies and pastures, and of course a vast selection of high quality cheeses and wines.

The main open market is on Mondays. This is an event that should not be missed where one can give in to the temptation of the multitude of edible products, or just sit and watch the world go by from one of the three main cafés located on the market square.

Throughout the summer almost every town presents some type of festival, show, concert, special event or a local fête. In addition, there are many interesting architectural sites to see within a thirty minute radius, from churches to monasteries, beautiful villages such as Lurs -a fully restored hilltop village full of artists- a lovely countryside and some spectacular nature landmarks.

Further afield, there are hundreds of little villages and small towns to be discovered. Within 45 minutes to an hour and a half's drive, one can see the spectacular canyon of the Verdon river, which one can explore by canoe or raft.

Also well worth a day trip are the lakes of St Croix and Esparon, both good for watersports, and the Plateau de Valensole with its spectacular lavendar fields.

The towns of Avignon and Aix-en-Provence are both with in easy reach. Both have an ancient heritage, with Roman ruins including the famous arena in Aix.

The Mediterranean coast is also in reach for a day trip, including the city of Marseille with its famous 18th century port area and superb range of seafood restaurants.

The terrace and BBQ area overlooks the valley	The twin bedroom
The kitchen	The living area
The kitchen and living area

Galileo is a beautiful holiday residence in a stunning location. We all had a wonderful time. Thank you for setting up such a beautiful holiday location.
Simon, Rachel, Izzy, and Lottie R. - London, United Kingdom

Thank you for all your hospitality. You make us feel welcome here.
Tom, Carey, Blayne & Kristi M. - Welschbillig, Germany

We have spent a wonderful week in this gîte, we are sad to have to leave.
Nils and Britt-Marie K. - Sweden

Very sorry we have to leave this wonderful place everything has been perfect. Very helpful hosts, magnificent scenery, a wonderful variety of wildlife.
Terry W. - Thornton le Moor, United Kingdom

Well the trip up the mountain has been quite an adventure. We enjoyed “driving into the picture”, and have found ourselves looking forward to arriving home each night from a day of touring. This place will be a wonderful memory of our time in Provence
Renae B. - Charleston, Rhodes Island, USA

Enjoyed a truly different and special weeks holiday here. Found the early morning sunrise through the bedroom windows quite magical. Had never been to a market quite the size of Forcalquier's on Monday.
Chris, Angela, Ben, Nick and Rebecca D. - Ingham, Lincolm, United Kingdom

As the first group to stay for four weeks, I would have to say that it was well worth it! We were struck, time and again by the incredible beauty and peace of this place. We have just had a fabulous time, and we want to thank you for providing us with this opportunity.
Nancy E. - Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

If you look closely, you can see the middle of nowhere just beyond this house. Isn’t it great! We had a wonderful week exploring the countryside. Highlights included soaring over Sisteron in a glider and walking the track to Sigonce. We are convinced there is no “best” spot or top ten list of places to be visited. Provence is more of a way of life. Enjoy the slow easy rhythm and you will enjoy Provence. And a few words about La Colle and Gîte Galileo: it’s well appointed, and Rod's advice on places to go was dead-on.
Paul K. - San Jose, California, USA

Thank you for a very nice week in this beautiful setting. What a view! We loved the nice house, so well equipped, especially for children. We recommend the following sites in the area: Forcalquiers market, Sisterons castle/citadel, Lac de Ste Croix. There are many more things to see and Michelin yellow map 81 is highly recommended.
Henrik H. - Copenhagen, Denmark

We totally fell in love with gîte Galileo and La Colle. Tranquil, relaxing, beautiful sunsets, stunning scenery – it had it all. We felt as though we had really ‘stepped into the picture’ of rural France – we loved it!.. We had an amazing holiday here – and will definitely be back.
Sian and Mark McC. - London, United Kingdom

Had a wonderful relaxing time. Waking up to wonderful views was really lovely. Plenty of beautiful places to visit. A great choice for our holiday we have enjoyed every moment staying here.
Stuart H. - Peterbough, United Kingdom