La Bastide des Oliviers is wonderfully sited on a hill surrounded by its own delightful Provencal garden and grounds with long views to the distant hills of the Massif des Maures. Both inside and out it is a home and garden of warmth and style given a wonderful renaissance by the thought, care and inspiration of its owners. It is a hugely welcoming home comfortable and relaxing in every way. At the same time it respects and enhances its origins along with the character and spirit of Provence in the most appealing way. For those who appreciate a blend of character, comfort, authenticity and great good taste in the most relaxed environment this is exceptional and appealing to all generations.
La Bastide des Oliviers
Near Draguignan, South of France
Overview
Sleeps: 12 to 14
Bedrooms & Bathrooms
4 double bedrooms – all ensuite
2 double bedrooms that can be made into twin beds – both ensuite
A further twin bedroom can be made available by request, and under the right circumstances, increase the maximum occupancy to 14.
More information on the bedrooms and bathrooms.
Rent per week
€7,500 to €11,900 per week depending on the season. Saturday to Saturday.
Key features
Recently renovated and beautifully decorated villa
Heated swimming pool
Elevated south facing position
Superb provencal gardens and grounds
Table tennis
Snooker table
Petanque court
Piano
Testimonials
The House and Accommodation
Kitchen / Dining room: In the other direction from the hallway a large open plan kitchen diner extends west down the Southern side of the house. The dining end has a large oak table capable of seating 8 comfortably with further searing for 12 adjacent to the kitchen in the loggia. Doors open onto the terrace that runs the full length of the Southern side of the house. The well equipped traditional kitchen has a handsome central table/work surface with units under, kitchen units to two sides and stainless steel sink unit with Smeg gas oven cooker. There is also a fridge freezer. There is an adjoining ‘Back kitchen’ with dishwasher, fridge freezer, double sink, Jura coffee making facilities, microwave, toaster etc and storage.
Sitting room: small cosy, with sofas and armchairs around a raised open log fire.
Sitting room/TV room with comfortable sofas and a large 60 inch flat screen TV (satellite/smart TV) and well stocked bookshelves.
Bedrooms & bathrooms
Bedroom 1 ‘The Master Bedroom’ with King Size bed (1.8w x 2m) which can be divided to form a twin room with south facing windows and air conditioning. It has an ensuite bathroom with free standing roll top bath, shower, twin wash basins and WC. A further/additional bedroom with twin beds can be made available in appropriate circumstances adjoining this bathroom.
Bedroom 2 with double bed (1.5w x 2m), south facing windows and washbasin in the bedroom. Its ensuite Bath/ shower Room with walk in shower. There is a separate WC on the landing.
Bedroom 3 ‘The Pink Room’ with double bed (1.5 w x 2m) and an ensuite shower/bathroom with walk in shower, single basin and WC.
Bedroom 4 with King Size double bed (1.8w x 2m) and south facing windows with an ensuite Bathroom with bath (with shower over) WC and single wash basin.
Bedroom 5 ‘The Blue Room’ with double bed (1.5w x 2m) and a separate single bed. Ensuite Shower/Bathroom with shower WC and wash basin.
Bedroom 6 is a ground floor double bedroom with its own independent entrance from the western end of the terrace. Double bed (1.8w x 2m) which can be split into two singles to form a twin room. This room has a flat screen TV and a mini fridge for cold drinks. It has an ensuite bath/shower Room with shower, wash basin and WC.
Garden and Grounds
The Bastide sits in the middle of its 2½ acre Provencal garden which is planted with fig trees, lavender and thyme as well as numerous flowering plants and creepers, mature cypress and other trees and a small olive grove of some 120 trees. The terraces and gardens are a delightful feature of La Bastide.
There is a boules court in the garden and a table tennis table in a separate games room close to the swimming pool. There is also a pool table and dart board in a separate area of the garden near the pool area with fridge for cooling drinks.
Additional buildings, terraces and eating areas
A wonderful terrace shaded by vines runs along the southern/front of the house with numerous flowering plants and creepers providing shade and a profusion of colour and scent. The main feature of the terrace is a beautifully proportioned and very comfortable loggia which frames perfectly the very best of the views towards the hills of Maure. On the outer side of the loggia is a comfortable seating area and on the inner side a dining table that comfortably seats 12. On the inner wall is a BBQ kitchen.
A dining table seating 8 is positioned on another terrace in the shade of a mulberry tree.
A series of stone terraces drops away from the front of the house.
Swimming Pool
The heated swimming pool measures 5.5m x 11m. The pool is heated and there is a pool alarm.
Location
La Bastide is located in The Haut Var region of Provence between Draguignan and the Provencal market town of Lorgues.
Draguignan (8 minutes) has a good choice of restaurants, shops and local services aswell as some interesting museums including an Artillery Museum and the National Museum of Art and Popular Traditions.
The pretty medieval town of Lorgues (10 minutes) has a wonderful weekly market, good shopping and a further choice of restaurants
It is also within easy reach of Les Arcs (10 minutes by car) and Flayosc (7 minutes by car). Both are delightful villages. Les Arcs has a market on Thursdays and there is a boulangerie, grocers, banks, a chemist and a post office aswell as a number of restaurants and café’s. Similarly, in Flayosc there is a market on Monday, a boulangerie, grocer, butcher, post office and bank aswell as a Spar shop, chemist, restaurants and café’s.
The coast is within easy reach and Saint Maxime and the Bay of St Tropez is only 35 minutes away with beaches and views over St Tropez. From St Maxime a short ferry is the quickest route to St Tropez.
How to get there
Airports
Nice airport is 1hr and Marseilles (Marignane) c 1½ hrs
Toulon (Hyères) international airport is also about 1 hours’ drive.
TGV
Nice airport is 1hr and Marseilles (Marignane) c 1½ hrs
Toulon (Hyères) international airport is also about 1 hours’ drive.
Things to see and do nearby
Markets
abound in the surrounding towns and villages, the largest and arguably the best of which is in Lorgues (10 mins) on Tuesdays. Draguignan (8 mins) has its market on Wednesdays and Saturdays and Les Arcs (10 mins) has its market on Thursdays.
Local produce
The local specialities of pottery and Provençal fabrics are widely available in local shops and at the markets. There are also lavender farms which make and sell lavender related products. There are also nougat and honey producers in the vicinity aswell as the full range of Provencal herbs and spices, all of which can be purchased readily in the markets along with plentiful and excellent ranges of fish, poultry, meat, fresh fruit and vegetables.
Taradeau
is a pretty village with church, café and wine cellar and has many small but convenient shops and bars.
Tourtour
is known as “the village in the sky” whilst Aups, the gateway to the Haut Var, is said to be the truffle capital of France.
Salernes
has numerous pottery shops and an excellent Sunday market
Lac de Ste Croix
(10 kms in length and 1 hr’s drive to the north) with excellent swimming from its many beaches in crystal-clear water, as well as wind-surfing, sailing and pedalos.
Here you can also see the dramatic Gorges du Verdon, known as the Grand Canyon of Europe and providing all kinds of exhilarating pursuits including hiking, canoeing, kayaking, canyoning and mountain biking.
Bicycling
can be rented in Draguignan. Dragui cycles. Bicycles should be booked in advance of your arrival.
Restaurants and eating out
There is a great choice of restaurants in the area and a selection is suggested in the House Information Book.
Local fairs and festivals
including concerts at Abbaye du Thoronet, take place throughout the summer.
Golf
There are a number of reasonable to outstanding 18 hole golf courses within 30kms. Arguably the best are at St Endréol and Barbaroux. Details are contained in The House Information Book.
Walking
There are some interesting and varied walks from La Bastide and locally
Beaches
The Mediterranean beaches of Cavalaire, St Tropez and Cannes are all within driving distance. Ste Maxime is relatively easy to reach even in the busiest months and from here the quickest route to St Tropez is by short ferry trip. Details of beach bars and restaurants can be found in the House Information Book.
Wine/Vineyards
Vineyards are easy to reach in most directions from La Bastide producing red, white and rosé. Many offer tastings and the excellent Maison des Vins at Les Arcs sells a comprehensive selection of the region’s best wines.
Children
For children there are a number of children’s adventure playgrounds and zoos in the area including one near Vidauban which provides a range of activities for all ages.
Tourist Office
There is a tourist office in Lorgues and Draguignan
Additional Information
Arrival welcome and departure: Guests will be met on arrival and shown around the house and grounds, how everything works and provide the codes for the alarm systems and the entrance gates.
Wifi and Broadband: There is broadband/WiFi internet throughout the house.
Housebook: The House Information Book contains details of recommended local shops, restaurants, markets, cultural, sporting and recreational activities plus many other suggestions on what to do and where to go in the vicinity. It also includes maps, brochures and important local contact details. A selection of these are mentioned here.
Additional entertainment: There are a selection of English and French language books, as well as board games, playing cards and childrens’ toys and games.
Optional / additional services available: As long as sufficient notice is given a cook or chef can probably be found. His/her/their wages are the tenants responsibility and, if requested, can be ascertained in advance so that arrangements can be confirmed in good time.
Utilities: A storage/utility/washroom area with washing machine, tumble dryer, iron and ironing board is the last room on this end of the ground floor.
Children: There are two travel cots (with mattresses and bed linen) and a playpen. Also a double buggy, two high chairs and a booster seat.
Air conditioning and heating: This is very much an all year round villa with an excellent heating system.
Car Parking: there is a parking area outside the house where there is ample parking space for several cars. Additional space for parking can be reached up a secondary drive further away from the house.
Rents
2024
| Period | Rent per week |
| Jan 1st to Jan 27th | €8,750 |
| Jan 27th to Feb 24th | €7,500 |
| Feb 24th to March 30th | €8,600 |
| March 30th to May 25th | €10,350 |
| May 25th to June 29th | €11,100 |
| June 29th to July 27th | €11,400 |
| July 27th to August 31st | €11,900 |
| August 31st to Dec 21st | €9,900 |
Terms & conditions and the booking process
The Booking Process: A deposit of 25% of the rent will be payable to Anglo French Properties Ltd on signing the Rental Agreement, with the 75% balance to be paid 8 weeks prior to the commencement of the tenancy.
Security Deposit: A Booking and Security Deposit will also be payable to Anglo French Properties Ltd on signing the Rental Agreement. This will secure the booking and will cover (a) the cost of telephone calls made on the landline during the tenancy, (b) the cost of replacing/making good any losses, breakages and/or damages incurred during the rental, and (c) any exceptional cleaning work which may be required at the end of the tenancy. It will be refunded (less any deductions as outlined above) within 4 weeks of the conclusion of the tenancy. Tenants should advise Anglo French Properties Ltd at the end of each rental of any breakages, losses and/or damages. This is in lieu of an inventory. The housekeeper will also check and advise of any damage/loss.
Minimum stay: Unless otherwise agreed, all rentals will be for a minimum of one week and will begin and end on a Saturday.
Arrival Time & Departure times: Tenants should arrive as soon as possible after 5pm on the commencement day. They will be welcomed on arrival, given a tour of the property and shown how everything works. Tenants should leave by 10am on the agreed day of departure.
Number of People: Unless otherwise agreed, there should not be more than 14 people (plus babies) staying in the property at any one time.
Security: The owners’ insurance policy requires that all doors are locked, and that all windows and shutters are closed when tenants are away from the property.
Energy costs are included: The energy costs are included in the rental price.
Heating costs are included: The heating costs are included in the rental price.
Linen and towels: Bed linen, bath and pool towels are provided and will be changed on a weekly basis.
Smoking: No smoking allowed inside the property. Caution should be taken when smoking outside during the summer months as the risk of fire can be extremely high.
Internet access: yes, included in the rental price.
Optional / additional services available: any additional services, if available, (eg extra cleaning or cooking) will be agreed in advance at a pre-agreed rate per hour. These costs will be the sole responsibility of the tenant.