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Local facilities |
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Le Vieux Mas is in a tiny rural hamlet, of fewer than half a dozen houses. It is set on a hillside in about an acre of garden, meadow and woodland, and so feels remote from all hustle and bustle. It is at the end of a tiny lane, so there is no passing traffic and no artificial light at night, and it is almost totally quiet. The house is about 10 minutes up a winding road from Collet de Dèze, which is on the N106 half way between Alès and Florac, in the perimeter zone of the Cévennes National Park. (Links on this page open in a new window) Collet de Dèze is a busy village, with a post office, a couple of bars and restaurants, a bakers and various other shops. Alès (about 40 minutes away) has banks, hypermarkets and all the facilities of a busy town. The area is popular for outdoor activities such as walking, cycling, horse-riding and canoeing, for which equipment can easily be hired. There are also caves and prehistoric sites to explore. For a contrast, it is also close to some of France's most interesting and historic towns and sites, and the coast: Arles, Avignon, Montpellier, Nîmes, Pont du Gard, the Mediterranean beaches and the Camargue are all between 1 and 2 hours drive. More locally, there are many fine walks, rivers and lakes for swimming and a variety of restaurants, many with very reasonable prices. |