Villa Bazille

About this property

Appreciate the most wonderful views of the Côte d'Azur hinterland from this beautiful residence just a short walk from a charming perched village north-east of Grasse, around half an hour from the glistening beaches of the French Riviera.

This immaculate stone villa welcomes up to 14 guests across its spacious living areas and six bedrooms. Just imagine opening the doors from the wood-beamed lounge and dining room each morning and being greeted with such magnificent panoramic vistas.

Inside this fully air-conditioned family home guests can make the most of the elegant kitchen with its Lacanche range and breakfast bar, the Provençal style lounge with its Louis XVI fireplace and other relaxing spots including two TV lounges, an office (which can also act as a bedroom with a sofa-bed) and a conservatory-style reading room on the top floor with idyllic views. The six bedrooms can be found across all three floors, some with en suite bathrooms, others with doors opening out to the lower terrace and garden.

The heated swimming pool features massage jets and stands within the terraced garden alongside a poolside summer kitchen and barbecue and a raised platform for bathing in the sun. Just above this, set amongst the Mediterranean plants and close to the sleepy hammock, a terrace for al-fresco dining awaits with a glorious view through the trees.

Guests can enjoy the table tennis, yoga and gym lawn, boules court and swing alongside the various levels of olive, orange and fig trees across the terraced grounds. The outlook is simply idyllic whether you are sipping a morning coffee on the upper terrace or a glass of Côtes De Provence by the swimming pool. This is a very special place for anyone who has the privilege to stay here. Indeed, you may even be following the footsteps of Princess Diana's father who is said to have stayed here when he owned this house in the late 20th century.

A small yet authentic perched village can be reached in around a 10-minute walk, following the country lane up the hill, where you will discover a beautifully restored medieval centre with a village château and 14th century church alongside pretty houses, shops and restaurants. Grasse, the perfume capital of France, is only 9km away whilst historic Valbonne and its famous Friday morning market is just 15 minutes by car.

Other idyllic villages include Tourrettes-sur-Loup and Gourdon whilst one of the main attractions of this area is the Gorges du Loup and its waterfalls – it goes without saying that this region is a paradise for walkers and keen hikers.

Art lovers should venture to Vence, St Paul de Vence and Mougins, there are many golf courses for sporting enthusiasts whilst shopaholics can enjoy the Polygone Riviera near Cagnes-sur-Mer, not to mention the fine city of Nice. Finally, the alluring coastline of the French Riviera awaits from the palm-fringed shores of Cannes to the beachside restaurants of Juan-les-Pins, Antibes and beyond, all reached in around half an hour by car.

In the Alpes-Maritimes department of southern France, less than a 30-minute drive from the Mediterranean, Villa Bazille is located within terraced grounds close to a perched village just north-east of Grasse, the perfume capital of France.

You can walk up the hill following the country road (no pavement) and reach the edge of the village in around a 10-minute stroll (about 600m on foot). It’s a small yet charming village which is home to a boulangerie, grocery store and other shops, restaurants, boutique hotels and a sports centre with tennis courts, basketball and a football pitch. Soak up the village’s authentic ambience as you wander around its old houses until you reach the 13th century château and attractive church.

It's also fantastic being a short drive from the bustling town of Grasse (9km) known for its rich perfume heritage – take time to visit the town’s perfume studios as well as the Musée International de la Parfumerie. The 13th century Cathédrale Notre-Dame Du Puy is another must-see with its works of art by Rubens and there are some wonderful restaurants, pavement cafes and the daily flower market in the old town.

Historic Valbonne (11Km) hosts an excellent Provençal market on a Friday morning, one of the best in the region, whilst the hilltop village of Mougins (17km) is famed for its gastronomic restaurants and little art galleries – this is where Picasso lived towards the end of his life. Biot (20km) will also appeal to art lovers with its artisan studios and glassblowing heritage.

Spend time in other picture-perfect villages such as Tourrettes-sur-Loup (9km) and Gourdon (12km) whilst the main attraction of this region is the Gorges du Loup and its waterfalls. This area is a paradise for keen walkers and hikers – the owner can provide details of walks from the village and in the surrounding area.

Following the winding roads east, a trip to Vence (14km) and St Paul de Vence (18km) is recommended, both incredibly charming medieval villages with gorgeous historic lanes, shops, restaurants and stunning views of the Côte d’Azur hinterland. Check what art exhibitions may be taking place at the fantastic Fondation Maeght on the edge of St Paul de Vence and make a small detour to visit Matisse’s Chapelle du Rosaire near Vence.

The beaches of the French Riviera also await whether you feel like soaking up the sun on the palm-fringed shores of Cannes (25km), dining out in a beachside restaurant in Juan-les-Pins (26km), trying out a range of watersports at Villeneuve-Loubet Plage (23km) or walking along the promenade by the sea in Cagnes-sur-Mer (23km).

Shopping lovers should visit the popular Polygone Riviera (17km) near Cagnes-sur-Mer or venture as far as the great coastal city of Nice (32km) with its daily flower market, boutiques, art galleries, parks, museums and city beach backed by the iconic Promenade des Anglais.

Accommodation

House Interiors

Main Floor

-    Entrance with WC
-    Lounge and dining area with doors leading to terrace
-    TV lounge with doors leading to terrace
-    Kitchen, fully-equipped with Lacanche range cooker, two dishwashers, large fridge-freezer and doors leading outside 
-    Office with double sofa-bed and doors leading to terrace
-    Bedroom with views, door leading to terrace and en suite bathroom

First Floor

-    Master bedroom with views, walk-in wardrobe and en suite bathroom with shower and bath
-    Bedroom with views and en suite bathroom with shower
-    Conservatory-style reading room

Lower Floor

-    Lounge with TV (and can be converted into a bedroom on request)
-    Bedroom with double bed and door leading to lower terrace
-    Bedroom with bunk-bed and door leading to lower terrace
-    Bedroom with two single beds
-    Bathroom with shower and bath
-    WC
-    Laundry room

Outside Grounds

-    Heated saltwater swimming pool (5x12m including deep end, fountains and massage jets) with electric safety cover. Open approximately April to end-September
-    Solar shower
-    Pool house with summer kitchen (sink, fridge-freezer)
-    Raised poolside terrace with sun loungers    
-    Barbecue
-    Upper terrace with al-fresco dining table
-    Boules pitch
-    Yoga and gym lawn
-    Table tennis
-    Terraced gardens (different levels with steps and unprotected levels)
-    Olive trees and fruit trees
-    Swing
-    Parking
-    Electric gates

Facilities

-    Wi-Fi
-    Heating
-    Air-conditioning
-    Electronic Roland piano
-    TVs (x4)
-    Outdoor yoga and gym lawn
-    Gym weights, accessories and balls
-    Concept2 rowing machine
-    Table football
-    Table tennis
-    Boules
-    cctv
-    Washing machine and dryer