Lavender & Limestone

Settled on an olive oil estate in the Luberon, this stone farmhouse was made for large groups who want space to spread out and still come together. Six bedrooms split across two separate staircases give different families their own corner of the house, while three living rooms – including one with a fireplace and a light-filled drawing room with French doors on two sides – mean there's always room to escape the crowd. Outside, the pool, shaded terrace, and pergola sitting area fill long summer days, and Gordes is about twenty minutes by car when you're ready to explore.

Home truths:
* Air conditioning is only available in the bedrooms and gym.
* Well-behaved pets are welcome to accompany you during your stay.
* Three of the bedrooms can each be configured as either two single beds or one double bed, depending on what works best for you. Just let your host know in advance which setup you'd prefer.
* The seventh bedroom is in a separate annexe with its own living space and kitchen – a useful option for guests who'd like a bit more independence, but worth thinking about when assigning rooms as it sits apart from the main house.
* If you're travelling with little ones, this home has a baby room with a wooden cot. Your host can also provide two travel cots and two high chairs – you'll need to request them in advance.
* The pool is heated from mid-April to mid-October – if you're visiting outside those dates, you'll be swimming in an unheated pool, so plan accordingly.