Maison Kristin

Welcome to Maison Kristin – a nice holiday home in the heart of Provence

Maison Kristin is located in the picturesque town of Lorgues, in the heart of Provence!

We hope you find Maison Kristin as beautiful, practical and enjoyable as us.

Maison Kristin is well-suited for socializing and relaxing both inside and out, whether you’re cooking together over a glass of wine, or simply just enjoying the atmosphere and the sun by the pool.

The house was built in 2013 and has an area of ​​211 m2. Maison Kristin has good functionality and a lovely location, where it lies sheltered in the middle of a cul-de-sac. The property and the house have limited views and only 10 minutes walk from the Lorgues.

The plot is of 1400 m2, nicely worked up and planted, with paving, stone slabs and some lawn. Parts of the plot, that is at the pool and in the house, have lighting that makes it easy to get an overview even after the sun goes down and the darkness subsides.

Maison Kristin has received constructive and good feedback, both on Finn.no and in the form of e-mail feedback. At Finn.no, the property has had the highest score (10) in all four areas: Recommendation, location, accuracy and cleaning.

Our guests / tenants have also provided us with positive and constructive feedback on an ongoing basis via e-mail, as well as in the house’s guestbook, with good suggestions for improvements. We have, as far as possible, met their wishes.

If you are considering booking a rental period for the upcoming season (2020), we refer to finn.no, where prices and booking options are available.

You are of course welcome to send an inquiry to us at finn.no (norwegian home page) and use the finn-code: 99853143.

With best regards

Eva and Morten
Owners of Maison Kristin

Prices and Reservation

Prices 2020
High Season:
June 23 – September 14: EUR 2500 per week (Saturday – Saturday)

Low Season:
September 15 – 31, desenber: EUR 1400 pr. week (Saturday – Saturday)
In low season, weekend rental can be made upon specific request.

In addition to the above rental prices there are costs for final cleaning and rent of bed linen and towels. This is paid directly to our housekeeper on arrival:

Final cleaning: EUR 200
Bed linen / towels rental: EUR 25 per pers

If you would like to reserve or have questions about Maison Kristin, just contact us by email: maisonkristin1@gmail.com or by finn.no using finn-code: 99853143

About Maison Kristin

The house was built in 2013 and consists of 2 joined parts:

Part 1 is built on the background of a stone wall from an old Provencal stone house and consists of 2 floors.

• The ground floor contains the hall, toilet room, bedroom, walk-in wardrobe / bathroom and stairwell.
• The second floor consists of 3 bedrooms (all en suite) and 2 toilets.

Part 2 is a new part on one floor and contains the kitchen / living room and laundry room. The living room has direct access to the pool / outdoor area, through glass doors which can be opened to a approx. 3 meter wide opening (east / south facing).

Indoor facilities:

Kitchen:

• New air-conditioning system in all bedrooms, as well as in the kitchen / living room (2018).
• Modern, open kitchen with large kitchen island and integrated appliances:

• Large induction hob
• Extractor fan mounted in bench
• Oven with grill
• Microwave
• Refrigerator integrated in the kitchen interior, as well as one fridge / freezer in the laundry room (new in 2019)
• Wine Coolers
• Dishwasher (new in 2018)
• Kitchen appliance (Kenwood major)
• Kettle
• Toaster
• Coffee maker
• Coffee machine (Tassimo capsule machine)
• Electric espresso machine (small)
• Waffle iron

Living room in extension of the kitchen:

• Living room in extension of the kitchen:
• Dining table that seats 10-12 people
• 1 baby chair available
• 2 sofas for 6 adults
• Armchair
• 1 pallet
• TV (standard channels in France)
• Apple TV and Google Play, which enable connection to I-Pad / I-Phone
• Amplifier for connecting audio from their own audio device (AUX)

NB! There is no Wi-Fi fixed network, but there are good conditions for using guests’ own 4G network. It is adapted for Wi-Fi from its own 4G network.

Bedrooms:

4 bedrooms for a total of 8 people (children / adults)

Gorund floor:
1 bedroom of approx. 20 m2 on the ground floor, with direct access to the garden. The room is equipped with a double bed (160 x200), bedside tables and its own large walk-in wardrobe. The room also has its own shower / basin (in the walk-in wardrobe).
Separate toilet with entrance from the hall

First floor:
3 bedrooms of approximately 25 m2 on the second floor. The rooms are equipped with double beds (160 x 200), bedside tables and ample closet space for storing clothes. Each bedroom has its own shower and basin.
Two separate toilet rooms (with entrance from each bedroom).

On request, 2 extra «beds» can be arranged in the form of inflatable mattresses.

Laundry:

• Boiler
• Salt container for automatic supply of salt to water for washing machine and hot water tank, as the water in Lorgues is very calcareous. Salt must therefore be added to prevent, for example, washing machine and water heater from being sealed by lime and broken. This is perfectly normal and is found in most households in Lorgues.
• Washing machine (new in 2017)
• Dryer (new in 2018)
• Extra refrigerator (new in 2018)
• Iron / ironing board
• Vacuum Cleaner
• Floor washing equipment
• Storage space for pillows for outdoor use
• Fuse
• Water stop valve
• Railing
• 
  
  

The kitchen

The kitchen has a large kitchen island, which provides plenty of space for communal cooking. In the extension of the kitchen island there is a dining table that seats 12 people.

The kitchen is also well-equipped with regard to electric cooking utensils, i.a. with dishwasher, oven, microwave, refrigerator with a small freezer compartment, wine cabinet, toaster, kettle, coffee machine, coffee maker, hand blender, kitchen machine.

The living room

The living room has 2 large sofas, 1 armchair and 1 pallet. Seating can be calculated for up to 9 people. It also has a TV, amplifier / speakers (which can be connected to your own music devices through the AUX / Jack plug).

The house is equipped with Samsung Smart TV. This means that in the menu, apps such as NRK TV, NRK Radio, Netflix and others. Some apps require a personal login, such as Netflix. In order to watch movies and shows on Netflix you have to log in with your own profile / identity. Whether you can watch Netflix in-house, in addition to the platforms you are logged into, depends on how many devices you pay for in your subscription. If you sign in with your own identity, be sure to log out again when you leave Maison Kristin, so that tenants who come after you will not use your profile.

Unfortunately, downloading apps directly to TV is not allowed. If you want to use your own apps, you must use your own equipment (smartphone, tablet etc.) and connect it to TV through Apple TV.

• 4-6 car parking spaces.
• Heated salt water pool, 10 x 4 meters, renovated in 2018, including cover
• 6 sun loungers by the pool
• Small dining area for 4 people by the pool
• Outdoor dining area for 10 people at the entrance (south / west facing)
• Poolhouse with dining / seating for 10 people (west facing).
• Pizza oven
• Barbecue (gas)
• Roof terrace overlooking the area around Lorgues. The roof terrace is furnished with lounge / sofa area, 4 sun loungers and parasol.

The Garden

For practical reasons, we have chosen to keep a minimum of flowering / green plants in jars, but the few we have need some water. If you want to help the next tenant meet the living, flowering and green plants in the few pots we have on the property (a total of 4 jars), we really appreciate if they can get some water during their stay. Of course, this is not something we do not want or can impose on you, but we are allowed to hope that you want to contribute.

In autumn / winter 2017/2018 the property received a significant upgrade. Among other things, we removed some old trees and new outdoor area with boules course was constructed (up on the plateau to the west). Flowering shrubs were also planted along the fence to the south, in the flowerbed to the north (along the pool edge) and outside the entrance area.

The gardener will visit regularly during the summer to give the garden a minimum of care and mowing.

In June 2020 we added new tiles around the pool, in the poor-house and the area between the pool and the house (towards the laundry room). We are very pleased with the choice of tiles (based on the advice of our house-keeper), and not least with the execution of the work.

We also plan to set up a pergola outside the entrance area, (to the south and west) and thus establish a patio with the possibility of having dinner / evening meal in the evening sun. Heller is already in place, because of the Covid-19 pandemic and travel restrictions, we are a bit late with this work.

The roof terrace

The roof terrace is equipped with a seating area / sofa / table, 4 sun loungers and parasol. In the daytime, in the middle of summer, there may be something hot on the roof terrace, if there is no hint of breeze. However, when the sun has lost some of its strength, the roof terrace is a great place to spend the evening hours. The view to the west is nothing short of beautiful in the sunset.

The Pool

The edge around the pool is covered with loose, white stones. It is important that these stones do not fall or be thrown into the pool, as this can cause the robot cleaning the pool to get the stones in their belts. Usually the stones are easy to remove, but should the robot need repair, the cost of this will be deducted from the deposit.

The pool was originally what in French is called Basin. That means it is cast in concrete and painted inside with a dark color. In the spring of 2018, we upgraded, ie a new coating of fiberglass / epoxy in light color, which has given the pool a fresh impression. Our pool man visits the property regularly, normally on Saturdays, and cleans the pool so that it is fully hygienic and meets standard health requirements.

Explore beautiful Provence

Provence is a very well-visited area and it is not without reason; According to the website Travel Magazine, millions of people are attracted to picturesque Provence. The article was published on May 12, 2016, but Provence is still just as beautiful. One of Norway’s foremost wine writers, Ingvild Tennfjord in Aftenposten, has stated, in an article written by Camilla Flåtten in Aftenposten in May 2015, «Forget the French Riviera – visit the villages of Provence. They are so beautiful that you get tears in your eyes». Is it any wonder that we found our house, tranquility and idyll here in the heart of Provence.

We cannot agree more. Provence is full of beautiful, picturesque little villages. Lorgues, where our house is located, is only a 10 minute walk from the city center.

Other cities in Provence worth a visit

Moustier’s Sainte-Marie

While Gorges de Verdon is the big star in the area, the town of Moustier’s Sainte-Marie is the small star city at the end of the valley, and is a village that many happen to come across. The crystal clear, turquoise waters of the vast valley lead the way to the tiny little village, often called one of France’s most beautiful. It has small, narrow streets and orange buildings, located a hundred meters up the limestone mountain.

Between two cliffs, 225 meters above the city, hangs a shining star on a long string, which, according to legend, has hung here since the 10th century. The legend goes on to say that one of the knights in the Crusades was from Moustiers and swore that if he returned from the war, he would hang a star over his beloved home. The legend was immortalized by the Provencal poet and winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature, Frédéric Mistral.

Chateaudouble

Chateaudouble is located north of Draguignan, on a steep mountain peak, overlooking a number of ravines and valleys that pass through thick forested mountains. The Gorges de la Nartuby and Gorges de Chateaudouble are formed by the Nartuby and Ampus rivers. The town of Chateaudouble, with its two spiers, clings to the steep cliffs. However, one sprout is almost like a ruin to count, while the other sprout is intact. The city’s shops and restaurants cling closely together and are very well looked after. In the center of the city lies the beautiful church of the city, with arches made by nature itself. One of Chateaudoubles’ specialties is honey, well known in the area. More information can be found here: http://www.beyond.fr/villages/chdouble.html

Draguignan

Draguignan was originally a Roman fort, built on a mountain top, and now dominated by a bell tower from the 17th century. From the tower there is a great view of the region. The name Draguignan comes from the Latin word «Draco», which means dragon. The legend tells of pilgrims on their way to the Monastery of Lerins, which was often frightened by a dragon. According to legend, the dragon must have been defeated by Hermentaire, whose statue is located in one of the city’s churches, St. Michel.

Within the city’s boulevards you will find pedestrian streets in the old town. The Old Town appears as a characteristic maze of narrow streets, with square holes to the bolts, with many fountains. The buildings in the old town consist of exciting houses, hidden alleys and carved doors and windows. On the rue de la Juiverie you will find the facade of a 13th century Jewish synagogue. The last thing left of what was once a Jewish ghetto. At Place du Marché there is an exciting and colorful market every Wednesday and Saturday. The American cemetery, where 861 soldiers, who died in 1944, are buried, can be found on Boulevard John Kennedy. In the cemetery a memorial was erected with a bronze map showing the troop movements of the troop who had to remedy life in 1944.

Cotignac

Cotignac, which usually has 2,500 inhabitants, has about 9000 inhabitants in the village during the high season. Under tall trees you can have a good meal on the cobblestones, under the shade of the beautiful trees. This can be nothing but pure idyll, and balm for the soul.

The city can also offer bakers, butchers, cheese shop and art gallery. In Cotinac, as in other cities in Provence, life goes slowly. Who does not feel good about being influenced by the calm and the low tempo.

The market day in Cotignac is Tuesday, ie the same weekday as in Lorgues, so here you have to make a choice for a French market you just have to bring with you. Local food, clothing, shoes, tablecloths, soaps, oils and not least lavender. Lavender is one of the main products produced in Provence, in addition to honey and other goodies.

Correns

Food production in and around Correns is 100% organic; Wine, honey and other local foods. Wine produced at the vineyards around the city is sold in a common «Cave», along with other local products.

If you have children, a visit to the farm Elevane Les Hautes Canebières is a good idea. Here it is possible to both ride and ride carts, on the farm’s Icelandic horses. Gaëlle Le Marchand, who owns the farm, runs a variety of products, including honey, spices and wine.

The town is also known for the wine castle / producer Chateau Miraval, which is still owned by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, but runs an experienced «winemaker» and produces, among other things, the rosé wine «Miraval» which is well known at the Norwegian pole and at Gardermoen. The farm is not open to the public, but the products can be found in supermarkets and at the city’s «Cave».

Aups

The town is half an hour’s drive from Lorgues, on the road to Mostieres Sainte Marie and Gorges de Verdon. Here it is recommended to stop. The local restaurants serve lovely food, perhaps at the very top of what one finds in Provence. No Michelin star restaurants, but lovely food made with very good ingredients.

City Market Day is Wednesday. Be there early in the morning, as the market closes at 12 noon, while it may be time to think about lunch. Here it is natural to have lunch, because if you plan on going to Mostieres Sainte Marie, the restaurants in Aups are preferable to the restaurants in Mostieres, where the proportion of tourists is considerable throughout the year.

Tour Tour

Fortunately, the city’s name has nothing to do with what we in Norwegian might associate with the pronunciation, yes, for it is pronounced torture. The closest thing to torture must be whether you dine at one of the city’s delightful restaurants.

The view from the city is so beautiful that it almost takes your breath away, yes the whole city makes your breath stop. This is some of the most beautiful city we know of. All it takes to make time stop is a church, a street with restaurants and a marketplace, selling local produce. Tourtour has its market days on Wednesdays and Saturdays and sells food, Provencal products and accessories.Visit the many galleries with small and large art exhibitions. Here you will find pictures, ceramics and sculptures, which are which are worth a look even if you do not plan to buy anything.

Information about the property / house

Port / Locks

door locking

The door to Maison Kristin is only opened / closed using the provided chip. It is therefore important to take good care of keys and pieces.

The crime rate in Lorgues is very low, but we still recommend closing the gate when leaving the property and into the night. This is a precautionary measure to prevent any unauthorized persons from taking advantage of the property. The gate can also successfully be closed during the day, even if you as a tenant are present on the property.

Huslås / windows

When leaving the house, the tenant is required to close / lock windows and doors so that unauthorized persons cannot access the house. The house is insured, but the insurance does not apply if the house is not properly locked. The tenant will therefore be liable for loss of property / damage if unauthorized persons gain access to the house and the house has not been properly locked.

Securing the pool

When leaving the house and at night, the pool alarm should be turned on and placed in the water. This is an order and not just a recommendation. In our absence, it is the renter’s responsibility that the pool alarm is turned on and working. If it does not work, contact our housekeeper and place the cover over the pool as an extra security until the house keeper arrives.