Fully-staffed Manor on Private Island

The embodiment of ”exclusive,” Domaine de la Forge is a private island estate of 250 acres set in the river Rhône. Offering total seclusion, the Domaine is also just a short drive away (yes, the island has some bridges!) from the historic and colorful centers of Avignon and Orange, and the major sites of central Provence.

This two-story manor house at the center of the property was built by Carthusian monks in the 18th century, while the guesthouse, La Forge, was constructed about 100 years later. During the French Revolution in 1789, the Domaine was owned by the Knights of the Order of Malta. You’ll feel these origins in the sense of history and grandeur throughout the estate.

Meticulously restored by local craftsmen, the main house retains its original splendor, with well-proportioned rooms, tall windows, beamed ceilings, handsome stone fireplaces and some of the original tiled floors. As you enter the soaring hallway, it’s hard not to be awe-struck by the sweeping staircase curving up to a mezzanine where a billiard table and a Belle-Époque style bar will help you while away those idle moments.

While movingly historic, this home is no museum. Well-loved antiques, gleaming tiles and rich fabrics create a welcoming ambience that will make you feel right at home. The kitchen has everything a serious cook might need for creating a feast (resident chef included in high season), while alongside the main house, a long open-sided barn with stone pillars and lofty roof offers the perfect setting for a candlelit soirée.

Best of all, the Domaine is ideally situated for sampling the many delights of Provencal life: historic towns and scenic villages, fine restaurants, lively markets, vineyards, art galleries and artisan ateliers, local fêtes, wonderful routes for hiking and biking - whatever your interests, the best of Provence is near at hand.