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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. 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. |