About La Maison du Mûrier
A truly unique holiday rental; an ancient stone farmhouse with modern architectural features, furnished with design classics and collectables by Jean Prouvé, Charles & Ray Eames, Hans Wegner, and contemporary pieces by designers such as Jasper Morrisson, Terence Woodgate, Tom Dixon, Wouter Scheublin, Martino Gamper. The house is made up of The Villa on the upper ground floor and a separate self-contained open-plan Studio with its own kitchen and bathroom and outdoor area. There is also another separate section on the ground floor level where we stay to make sure everything is running smoothly and to be on hand if our guests have any questions or need any help. We are on site but are discreet and respect your privacy. We understand that during your stay, La Maison du Mûrier is your home not ours.
The Area
La Maison du Mûrier is situated in a rural hamlet in the Southwestern tip of the Hautes-Alpes department in the South of France. We fell in love with this area for its raw, unspoilt beauty, away from hordes of tourists. The house is a part of a real community of farmers and villagers. You may not find stylish cafés or Michelin starred restaurants around here and you are more likely to pass a tractor piled high with a stack of hay than a fancy sports car on the road, but instead, you are sure to discover an authentic rural life in the south of France. Located in the foothills of the Southern Alps but being close to the border with Haute-Provence, and the Drôme Provençale also being close by, the area enjoys the best of both worlds, Alpine fresh air with Provençal charm. The nearest ski resort is just 35 minutes drive away but the climate is sunny and Provençal, boasting 300 days of sunshine a year.
The History
La Maison du Mûrier dates back to the 17th century and is the oldest building in the small rural hamlet where it is located. The house was once a barn that kept sheep with a farmhouse above it and even a small chapel to its side, but lay derelict for decades. Following the collapse of the part of the building back in 2009, the house was reconstructed saving whatever possible of its original features but also introducing contemporary elements. This has resulted in a truly unique building combining ancient architecture with modern and contemporary design.
Who are we?
We are a British Japanese couple. Jason is a photographer and Keiko, a stylist. In search of the perfect antidote to our busy life in London, we happened upon this lesser known part of France that in our view, is a real hidden gem. It has taken us over 12 years to restore La Maison du Mûrier with countless problems and obstacles in our way. The house is a true labour of love. We hope you will enjoy staying at La Maison du Mûrier as much as we do.
