Bastide Var | 5-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool in Vars Mons

Ten guests, five bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a 12-metre swimming pool facing pine forest: this is what a proper family villa rental in Vars looks like. Bastide Var sits in a quiet hamlet on the French Riviera’s inland edge, where the Var department’s forested plateaus meet the glittering coast just 34 kilometres away. The villa combines genuine Provençal character with the infrastructure modern families expect—chef service available, childcare on request, a summer kitchen equipped for serious outdoor entertaining, and spaces designed so three generations can genuinely relax without collision.

Inside Bastide Var

Bastide Var sleeps 10 guests across 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, distributed across three levels of a traditionally built stone house. The ground floor, reached via external steps, contains the main living spaces. A substantial open-plan lounge features a working stone fireplace and exposed wooden beams—the kind of room where you actually want to spend winter evenings rather than hiding in your bedroom. Adjacent is an open-plan dining area with a table seating eight, flowing into a well-appointed kitchen. This isn’t a show kitchen: American fridge-freezer with ice machine, full dishwasher, conventional oven, and microwave mean you’re equipped whether you’re self-catering or letting the available chef handle evening meals.

The first floor holds three bedrooms. The first is a double with an en-suite bathroom featuring both bathtub and WC—the kind of room parents book for themselves. A second double bedroom sits on the same level, with a shared family bathroom. The third bedroom on this floor is a triple with bunk beds plus a single, deliberately configured for children, with access to the shared shower room and WC.

Up steep stairs to the second floor, two more bedrooms complete the sleeping arrangements. A double bedroom includes its own en-suite with a walk-in shower and WC. The final triple bedroom contains three single beds, making it flexible for teens, visiting friends, or family members who prefer their own sleeping space. This vertical spread means children’s sleep schedules needn’t dictate everyone else’s morning routine.

Outdoor Spaces and Living

The true magic here unfolds outside. The swimming pool measures 12 metres by 6 metres, with graduated depth from approximately one metre to 2.2 metres—deep enough for adults to swim properly, shallow enough for confident children. A pool safety alarm comes standard. The pool typically opens from June through late September, though other dates can be arranged.

The summer kitchen transforms how families eat during warm months. A ceramic hob, dishwasher, wine-fridge, proper oven, and pizza oven sit in a dedicated structure—not an afterthought of a portable barbecue. There’s also a charcoal grill and a Weber gas barbecue for those with strong opinions about cooking method. A covered al-fresco dining area with its own tables bridges the gap between kitchen and the garden, while an al-fresco lounge area with eight sun loungers provides the kind of casual seating where people actually want to sit without conversation dying.

The garden itself is proportioned for real play. Kids’ equipment—swings, climbing frame, slide—sits among landscaping that feels intentional rather than cramped. A boules court provides the kind of afternoon activity that bridges ages and abilities. Lavender and Mediterranean planting mean the garden smells right in July and August, while a laundry room with proper facilities prevents dirty clothes from piling up into disaster. Private parking accommodates multiple vehicles.

Location: Vars and the Surrounding Area

Vars itself is a working village, not a tourist theme park. One kilometre away, you’ll find a bakery, pharmacy, and a couple of straightforward restaurants. A supermarket sits slightly further afield, and bike hire is available just down the road—practical amenities rather than attractions, but exactly what families need.

The Pays de Fayence, a collection of nine hilltop villages, begins five to ten minutes’ drive away. Fayence itself (9km) hosts a Tuesday and Saturday morning market, with restaurants and cafés that feel lived-in rather than performed. Callian (6km) sits on higher ground with a medieval castle and flower-lined alleys that reward a two-hour wander. Seillans (15km) carries the official designation ‘Plus Beaux Villages de France’—rated among France’s most beautiful villages—and genuinely deserves it. Mons (23km), perched at over 800 metres, offers what may be the Var’s most dramatic lunch views across both Mediterranean and Alps.

Immediate natural advantages include Lac de Saint-Cassien, five minutes’ drive away (or a 2-3 kilometre hike). This isn’t a small pond: it’s a full recreational lake with rowing, canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, sailing, and pedaloes. Nearby Okwide Plage operates an aquatic park with inflatable features. The surrounding forest—oak and pine—contains hiking trails, waterfall views, and the Siagne river gorges where locals cool off mid-summer. Rock-climbing, fishing, bird-watching, and mountain biking trails crisscross this region.

Golf enthusiasts reach Terre Blanche Golf Resort in ten minutes’ drive—a prestigious course that attracted European tour events. For serious adrenaline activities, the Fayence gliding centre operates scenic flights, while the Verdon Gorge (further inland) offers competitive canoeing and white-water rafting.

The Mediterranean coast sits 34 kilometres away—roughly 45 minutes by car. Cannes offers the Côte d’Azur’s famous appeal, while Théoule-sur-Mer (31km) and Antibes (44km) provide alternatives. Boat excursions reach Île Sainte-Marguerite. For broader French Riviera (Cote D’Azur) exploration, consult our comprehensive French Riviera travel guide. To explore similar properties, browse our luxury villas across Europe and our extended French villa collection.

Seasonal timing matters here. June and September offer warmth without August crowds and heat. May brings wildflower displays. October still allows pool and garden use. Winter is mild but the pool closes—suitable for walking and village exploration rather than summer holidays.

Who This Villa Suits Best

Multi-generational family groups find their rhythm here. Grandparents occupy the master suite with its ensuite bathroom. Parents manage coordinating teenagers and younger children across the remaining bedrooms without resorting to sleeping bags on kitchen floors. Three bathrooms spread across two levels means the morning routine doesn’t collapse into conflict.

Groups of friends splitting a rental—six to ten people—get the space to avoid the “too-close-quarters” tension that derails friendships. You can occupy separate bedrooms, entertain together in the large outdoor spaces, and retreat to quieter corners without resentment building.

Families seeking active holidays rather than lounging-by-the-pool vacations find the Pays de Fayence genuinely rewarding. The walking is real (not artificial resort treks), the villages have actual history, and the lake and gorges provide legitimate outdoor pursuits rather than tourist attractions.

Professionals working remotely during summer can manage here: Wi-Fi functions, the outdoor spaces provide variety, and the available staff means you’re not managing household chaos while answering emails.

Practical Information

Bastide Var accommodates 10 guests across 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. Nearest airport is Nice Côte d’Azur (approximately 85 kilometres, roughly 90 minutes by car). A large supermarket sits within driving distance, with the village bakery just over 1 kilometre away.

Standard inclusions cover Wi-Fi, heating, smart television with international channels via SKY, DVD player with library, CD player, and functioning log fire. The pool typically opens June through September and includes safety alarm provision. Maid service, chef service, and babysitting are all available on request for additional fees.

Check-in flexibility can be arranged in advance. The property management team includes a former hotelier who coordinates special requests, from meal preparation to activity bookings.

Frequently Asked Questions about Bastide Var

How many guests does Bastide Var sleep?

Bastide Var accommodates 10 guests across five bedrooms. Bedroom breakdown: one double with ensuite bathroom, one double sharing a family bathroom, one triple with bunk beds and a single bed, one double with ensuite walk-in shower, and one triple with three single beds. This flexible arrangement suits families, multi-generational groups, and friend groups of varying ages and sleep preferences.

What is the nearest airport to Bastide Var in Vars?

Nice Côte d’Azur Airport serves the region, situated approximately 85 kilometres from Vars. The transfer takes roughly 90 minutes by car, with car rental services and airport transfer companies available at the terminal. The drive follows the A8 motorway inland toward the Var department, moving away from the coast into the forested plateau where Vars is located.

What is the best time of year to rent Bastide Var?

June and September offer ideal conditions: warm Mediterranean weather without August’s intense heat and peak tourist congestion. The swimming pool operates during these months, and the surrounding hiking is comfortable. May brings wildflower displays across the Var’s forests and meadows. October remains pleasant for walking and village exploration, though pool use depends on individual tolerance for slightly cooler water. July and August are genuinely hot—suitable only if you prioritise swimming and air-conditioned indoor time. Winter temperatures are mild (rarely freezing), but the pool closes and the region’s primary appeal shifts to walking and cultural visits rather than beach lifestyle.

Is Bastide Var suitable for families with children?

Yes, with specific strengths for families with children from toddlers through teens. The swimming pool includes a safety alarm and graduated depth (1-2.2 metres), accommodating both swimmers and non-swimmers. The garden contains dedicated children’s equipment: swings, climbing frame, and slide. The property’s physical layout spreads bedrooms across three levels, allowing parents to position children’s rooms separately from common areas. Babysitting is available on request. The surrounding region offers genuinely child-friendly activities: lake beaches with supervised swimming areas at nearby Okwide Plage, boules court play for mixed ages, cycling trails of varying difficulty, and village exploration where children walk safely on pedestrianised streets. The nearby Lac de Saint-Cassien has gentle paddling areas suitable for young swimmers.

What is included in the rental price at Bastide Var?

Standard inclusions cover Wi-Fi internet access, central heating, electricity, water, and gas. The smart television with international channels via SKY, DVD player with comprehensive library (all ages), CD player, and functioning log fire come as standard amenities. Pool safety alarm and pool opening (typically June through September) are included. Linen and towels are provided. Maid service, chef/cooking service, and professional babysitting are available as optional add-ons at additional cost, arranged through the property management team. The former-hotelier house manager can coordinate these services in advance or during arrival.

What restaurants and shops are near Bastide Var?

Within one kilometre: a boulangerie (bakery), pharmacy, and a couple of traditional restaurants serving local French cuisine. A substantial supermarket sits slightly further away for self-catering supplies. Fayence (9km away) offers a Tuesday and Saturday morning market with fresh produce, local cheese, charcuterie, and bread, plus several restaurants and cafés with views across the surrounding countryside. Callian (6km) has village shops and casual dining options. For more extensive dining and shopping, Cannes (34km) provides the full range of Côte d’Azur restaurants, though the village options typically suffice for weekly needs. The bike hire facility mentioned locally can point you toward unmarked local restaurants favoured by residents rather than tourists.