Rent Mas Des Palmeraies France

This beautifully restored farmhouse is set within four acres of private grounds with a heated swimming pool, idyllic terraces and even a children’s play area. Embrace your Provençal surroundings only 4km from the village of Le Castellet whilst knowing you are just a short drive from French Riviera’s coastline.

With its blue shuttered windows, pretty stone pathways and lavender alongside olive, fig and pomegranate trees, this is such a bucolic setting in the south of France. Start off at the swimming pool with its stylish surroundings and pool house, a fine spot for dining by the outdoor kitchen and barbecues on warm summer days. Families will be delighted with the volleyball and badminton court, table tennis and charming children’s play area. At the end of the day, retire to the al-fresco lounge with a good bottle of Bandol AOC wine produced in local vineyards.

Inside the Provençal mas, a spacious lounge and dining area features a Sonos sound system and wide windows sliding open to yet another elegant patio whilst stairs lead up to the breakfast terrace for the best morning sun. It’s a true luxury to have breakfast prepared six mornings a week at Mas Des Palmeraies. You can also hire a private chef or create your own delicious feasts in the high-end kitchen.

Sleeping up to 10 guests, there is an attractive ground-floor en suite bedroom with doors opening out to a little garden terrace whilst upstairs are four air-conditioned bedrooms, all with en suite bath or shower rooms. Four of the bedrooms have king-size beds (which can be made up as twins if preferred) and the smaller double has its own private terrace.

There are a couple of lovely restaurants within a 2-3km drive whilst the picture-perfect village of Le Castellet is just a little further – explore its narrow winding lanes with pretty cafes, restaurants and boutiques before admiring the glorious vineyard views from the main square. La Cadière-d’Azur and Le Beausset are other gems nearby – try the local olive oil as well as the excellent wine. Motor-racing enthusiasts will be delighted to know the prestigious Circuit Paul Ricard is just minutes away!

A little further afield, discover the beauty of the French Riviera coast whether lazing on a pine-backed beach near Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer, strolling along the harbourside in picturesque Bandol, windsurfing at Six-Fours-les-Plages or pottering around the summer beach markets at Les Sablettes. Not forgetting the gorgeous Cote d’Azur village of Cassis, also the gateway to the incredible Parc national des Calanques best explored on foot and canoe/kayak or boat.

Mas Interiors (260m2)

Main Floor

–    Lounge and dining area (54m2, split-level) with sofas, TV, Sonos sound system and dining area with doors opening out to al-fresco dining terrace. Another staircase leads to an upper breakfast terrace
–    Kitchen, well-equipped including two dishwashers, two fridge-freezers, two ovens, induction hob, microwave, kettle, Nespresso machine and toaster
–    Bedroom (16.5m) with king-size double bed (180x200cm, can be split into twin), doors leading to garden terrace with two garden chairs and en suite bathroom with 180cm bath, separate shower and WC

First Floor

–    Bedroom (9.5m2) with double bed (140x190cm), terrace and shower room with Italian shower and WC
–    Bedroom (13.7m2) with king-size double bed (180x200cm, can be split into twin) and shower room with Italian shower and WC
–    Bedroom (19.7m2) with king-size double bed (180x200cm, can be split into twin) and shower room with Italian shower and WC
–    Bedroom (18m2) with king-size double bed (180x200cm, can be split into twin) and bathroom with 180cm bath, separate shower and WC

Outside Grounds

–    Heated salt-water swimming pool (14x5m, depth: 1.2-1.7m) with sliding safety cover. Open approximately May to end-October
–    Outdoor shower
–    Poolside terrace with sun loungers
–    Pool house with outdoor lounge and dining terrace with summer kitchen and gas/charcoal barbecues
–    Poolside bathroom with shower and WC (and laundry room)
–    Large terrace with dining table and olive trees
–    Upper breakfast terrace
–    Large garden and grounds (with different levels and steps)
–    Volleyball/badminton court
–    Boules court
–    Table tennis
–    Children’s play area and trampoline

Facilities

–    Air-conditioning (four upstairs bedrooms only)
–    Sonos surround sound system
–    Ironing facilities

In the Var department of southern France, not far from the border with Bouches-du-Rhône, Mas Des Palmeraies is set in wonderful Provençal grounds around a 10-minute drive from the idyllic village of Le Castellet and world-famous Circuit Paul Ricard. Furthermore, it is just 11km to the French Riviera’s Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer.

Drive only 2km to a small local village, home to a restaurant-pizzeria and a charming French restaurant in a 16th century building with an attractive terrace.  Meanwhile, Le Castellet (4km) is an absolutely delightful place to explore with pretty cafes, restaurants, boutiques and craft stores along its winding medieval lanes. In a perched setting, the views are beautiful from the main square, also home to the village’s former 15th century château. Look out towards the Bandol AOC vineyards of this wine-producing region.

Driving past vineyards, olive groves and pine forests, other historic gems of this area include La Cadière-d’Azur (7km) and Le Beausset (4km) – try the local olive oil as well as the excellent wine. You are also a short drive from the prestigious Paul Ricard motor-racing circuit – check to see what races may be taking place or spend time at Xtrem Park with adventures for a range of ages.

Keen walkers can discover the stunning landscapes of the Vallée de Saint-Pons and the Sainte-Baume Natural Regional Park or head to the coast to join Le Sentier du Littoral in the lovely seaside town of Bandol (14km). There are further hiking opportunities as well as boat trips and canoeing/kayaking excursions through the coastal Parc national des Calanques (some footpaths may be closed in the height of the summer).

Bandol itself is an authentic and relaxed French Riviera town – stroll along its promenade lined with restaurants and boats, admire its colourful houses, pick up all sorts of regional delights at its market, then cool off by swimming at Plage de Renécros. Come across scuba-diving and other watersports or take a boat trip along the coastline or even across to the beautiful island of Porquerolles.

The great city of Toulon (22km) is a fantastic day out with its rich maritime heritage – take the cable car up to Mont Faron for amazing coastal views. Between Toulon and Bandol find more great beaches around Sanary-sur-Mer (16km), Six-Fours-les-Plages (20km) and Les Sablettes (27km) as well as the verdant landscapes of La Forêt de Janas.

In the other direction is the picture-perfect Côte d’Azur town of Cassis (30km), famed for its fisherman cottages, atmospheric port, inviting restaurants and yet more glorious vineyards.