Madeleine Vedel

The Curious Writer, Chocolate-maker and Guide to Food, Wine, & Travel in Provence

121 Doerr Road Mancelona, MI, 49659 United States

231 432 0499

Madeleine Vedel is a writer, photographer and teacher. Over a peripatetic life she has become an accomplished goat cheese maker, a culinary tour guide in Provence, a translator and writer of articles and stories. Trained in France, she brings her culinary, wine and cheese know-how across the Atlantic to Northern Michigan. During the winter, she organizes culinary tours out of her home in Avignon, France.

Provence Home Rental

I’ve spent the past couple of months deep in renovations and ‘putting back in order’ my home in Provence. This is the home I raised my two boys in, and in which I now hold my Provence adventures and tours. As I organize tours only in the winter/spring and fall, my home is available for 2 week to one month (or 2) rentals to individuals and families who would like to live, cook, explore, visit in Provence during the spring/summer or winter months (see below).

The house is located on the Ile de la Barthélasse , Avignon - an island in the Rhône River. Super convenient to the city: it is 5 min to town (15 door to door to the closest cinema); 10 minutes from the train station, and easy driving distance to wineries (Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Costières de Nîmes, les Baux de Provence, Gigondas and more), Roman monuments, the Pope's Palace. Close to everything, but in the quiet country surroundings of wheat fields, fruit orchards and tree covered walking paths by the Rhône. There are multiple farms with farm stands offering fresh vegetables and fruit, goat cheese & honey within walking and biking distance.

(FYI - for Tango afficionados, there are numerous milongas each week at an easy drive.  The skill level is high, the welcome warm.)

The house has 3 full bedrooms: 1 with queen size bed and en suite bathroom/shower; two with 2 full size beds and a shared bath/shower/wc. The kitchen is fully equipped and spacious (I hold cooking classes here). My glassed-in veranda is a lovely sitting area and dining space, spilling out to the back garden and deck. The pool is set up to be cleaned/operational for the summer months (late June - August).

There is parking on premises (for up to 2 vehicles).

For 2026 the house is rented for the month of July (during the theater festival) & my son will be there mid-June, but it is available for May 2026 (without pool up and running) or August 2026 (pool in place) and/or for the winter months of November - January (for which I have very cozy central heating and a wood stove). Prices are in Euros, and shift according to the season: May or August: 2000Euros for 2 weeks or 3750Euros for the 4 weeks. Winter months 2500Euros/month plus a deposit of 500Euros for heat/wood (what isn’t used will be returned to you). If you’re interested in 2027 note that July is always the most expensive month due to the presence of the annual Theatre Festival and as such, I only rent the full month and expect to receive 6500Euros.

Do take a look at the photos in my Avignon Home gallery.