Le Domaine De Tamasea
Chemin des Ardrechs de la Pigne
83440 Seillans, Var.
SLEEPS 10
Please click here to view the 2010 rental rates, or see below for further information
A Close-Up of the Main House
The Location
"Le Domaine de Tamasea" is an imposing south-facing house standing on a hill-top in 3 hectares (8 acres). It has panoramic views which, without exaggeration, cannot be surpassed anywhere in France.
Constructed by its present owners in 2003, "Tamasea", together with its spectacular infinity pool and garden, have more than fulfilled their dream, and the highest standards as well as meticulous attention to detail have been maintained throughout. This is an exceptionally light and airy, sophisticated and comfortable property, and one which is outstandingly quiet and peaceful.
The Entrance Hall. The French windows open onto the south-facing Main Terrace
Despite being recently built, "Tamasea" feels well established and integrated into its surroundings. The garden, into which many fully grown trees have been transplanted, is now mature, and has become an outstanding feature of the property.
The Domaine is situated approximately half-way between two charming Provencal villages - Seillans (5kms) and Bargemon (8kms), both with some shopping facilities, a number of reasonable-to-good restaurants, and pleasant outdoor cafés. There is a smallish supermarket in Seillans, and 3 larger ones in the Fayence area (12kms).
The property is about 35 minutes' drive from Exit 39 on the A8 autoroute, and 60 minutes from Nice international airport. Toulon/Hyères airport (with some international flights) is 1 ½ hours, and Marseilles international airport (called Marignane) is 2 hours away. The super-fast train, the TGV, stops at Les Arcs (45 minutes).
Looking south from the Main Terrace
The Setting
A well-made drive ascends from a gravel road to the garden side of the Villa where there is ample parking space.
To the left is the 2-bedroom Annexe, and ahead is the Main House itself. Behind and below the house are a wide variety of trees and shrubs, whilst all around are seating and dining areas, each with spectacular views over the countryside, seemingly stretching almost to infinity.
The full-time cook occupies a self-contained basement flat, whilst the caretaker/gardener/pool cleaner lives in the nearby village of Seillans.
The Main House. The Annexe is on the left
THE MAIN HOUSE
The floors are tiled in pale limestone throughout.
Double entrance doors on the north side open into the spacious HALL (with its impressive 17th century Flemish tapestry). A curving staircase ascends to the First Floor.
On the right of the Hall is:
The CLOAKROOM with a W.C., and a wash basin.Next door is the "SERVICES ROOM", housing the boiler, the electricity panels, and a CD/Tape Player (with speakers in both the Sitting Room and the Library).
The Sitting Room
The third door on the right opens into the SITTING ROOM, with comfortable sofas and armchairs, an imposing working fireplace, a grand piano, and French windows on 3 sides.
On the left of the Hall is:
The very well-equipped KITCHEN, with a breakfast table, double ovens, 4 electric hobs, a microwave, a large fridge, a separate wine fridge, 2 dishwashers, a toaster, a cafetière etc.There are French windows on its north side.
The DINING ROOM seats 12, and has French windows on the south and east sides, the latter leading to the covered Dining Terrace (see below).
The Dining Room
At the Hall's south end, wide, sliding glass doors open onto the magnificent south-facing Main Terrace. (This Terrace is also accessed from both the Sitting Room and the Dining Room).
Leading off the Dining Room is:
The cozy LIBRARY with a sofa and comfortable armchairs, a non-working fireplace, a wide-angle TV, a CD and a DVD Player (with a few CDs and DVDs), and Broadband/WiFi internet access.
French windows open onto the:
The covered Dining Terrace, seating 10, and overlooking the Swimming Pool and the POOL HOUSE, as well as the vast sweep of countryside below.
The Library
At the head of the stairs, large sliding glass doors open onto a Balcony looking south. A door to their left leads to the Owners' Suite which is not available.
On the right of the Landing is:
BEDROOM 1 with a 5 ft double bed, and windows on its west and south sides.
Bedroom 1 in the Main House
En-suite BATHROOM 1 with a large bath, an overhead shower, and a WC.
BEDROOM 2 with twin 3' 6" beds, a separate sitting area, and windows on the west and north sides.
En-suite BATHROOM 2 with a bath, a separate shower and a W.C.
Bedroom 2 in the Main House
Standing at right angles to the Main House is:
THE ANNEXE
On its left side is:
BEDROOM 3 with a 5 ft double bed, and French windows opening south.
En-suite BATHROOM 3 with a bath, a walk-in shower, and a W.C.
BEDROOM 4 with twin 3' 6" beds, and French windows opening south. This Bedroom is unsuitable for children.
En-suite BATHROOM 4 with a bath, a walk-in shower, and a W.C.
Bedroom 4 in the Annexe
Between these 2 Bedrooms is:
The UTILITY ROOM with 2 washing machines, a roller press (for drying), an ironing board, and an iron. There is also a 2-hob cooker, an oven, a sink, a fridge and a deepfreeze.
The Kitchen
On the east side of the Main House, steps descend to the magnificent filtered, alarmed, infinity Swimming Pool measuring 14 metres × 7 metres. Roman steps descend to the shallow half of the pool (1 metre in depth), and the floor then slopes to 2 ½ metres. A wide ledge (1 metre below the water surface) runs round the deep end of the pool.
There are 8 sunbeds (each equipped with a small pull-out table), and 3 sun umbrellas.
THE GARDEN
Around the house is a formal and an informal garden of roses, lavender beds, magnolias, oleanders, olive trees, and many other varieties of flowers, shrubs and trees.
The Dining Terrace above the Pool
THE POOL HOUSE
The central feature is the covered seating area (with 2 comfortable sofas).
Off this seating area is:
BEDROOM 5 with twin 3' 6" beds, and French windows opening south.
En-suite SHOWER ROOM with a walk-in shower and a W.C.
A small KITCHENETTE with a large fridge and a dishwasher (No cooking facilities).
Above and to the right of the Pool House is a Dining Terrace overlooking the Pool whose table seats 10, and is shaded by a large sun umbrella.
Looking south from the Pool House
Other Facilities And Information
- There should not be more than 10 people including children staying at "Le Domaine de Tamasea" at any one time.
- Whilst the south-facing Main Terrace is walled and railed, below it is quite a steep drop. The Dining Terrace outside the Dining Room is also quite high above the Swimming Pool.
- Bed linen, bath and pool towels are provided free of charge, and will be changed on a weekly basis. The cleaner is Lydie Nicaud; she is paid by the owners to make beds and to keep "Tamasea" tidy on 3 hours per day on 4 days per week. Any additional hours agreed with her should be paid direct at Euros 15 per hour.
- There is a cot (with a mattress and bedding), and a high chair.
- There are some hairdryers.
- There are a number of board games as well as playing cards in the Main House.
- Ron is the Caretaker/Gardener/Pool Cleaner, and is paid by the owners. The filtration system is entirely his responsibility.
- The Main House has underfloor central heating throughout, and an overhead fan in the Kitchen.
All 3 Bedrooms and Bathrooms/Shower Room in the Annexe and the Pool House have radiators. - There is a telephone system.
- The owners' insurance policy requires that all outside doors and windows are closed, and that the alarm is set whenever tenants leave the property for whatever reason.
- There is a resident cook (probably English). She prepares continental breakfasts, cold buffet lunches as well as a 3-course dinner on 5 and a half days a week (the half-day is usually a Saturday when, apart from breakfast, she will, by agreement with tenants, cook either lunch or dinner.)
- Tenants should advise the cleaner, Lydie, and the Agent of any breakages, losses, and/or damages. This is in lieu of an inventory.
- The Villa has a good selection of English-language books.
- There is a gas barbecue - only to be used under the supervision of the resident cook.
- Fires are a constant risk in the hotter months. Please therefore be very careful when extinguishing cigarettes etc in the open air, and please do not light a fire in the Pool House fireplace.
Please do not smoke in the Main House or in the Annexe. - "Tamasea" has a most useful Folder containing masses of information about the property itself, plus important telephone numbers, details of local shops and supermarkets, restaurants in various price brackets, and local markets in the surrounding villages and towns. There is masses of information on what to do and where to go, including visits to the hugely picturesque surrounding villages. In addition, the Tourist office in Fayence can be of much assistance.
- The nearest Mediterranean beaches are at Frejus (42 kms) and St Raphael (47kms). St Tropez is 66 kms, and can be a long drive in the summer months when traffic is heavy all along the coast.
- There are 3 tennis courts in Seillans, all of which can be reserved in advance. Booking details are in the Information Folder.
- There are 2 excellent golf courses at Tourrettes (15 kms) where the Four Seasons Resort (called "Terre Blanche") also boasts a swimming pool, a spa, tennis courts, restaurants etc. There are several other golf courses within an hour's drive, including the excellent 18 holes at the Chateau de Taulane (20 kms). These 3, together with other courses, are listed in the Information Book.
- The house has 2 sets of golf clubs which can be used by tenants.
- There are livery stables nearby, offering everything from lessons to dressage, to pony trekking in the superb surrounding countryside.
- There are several marvellous walks in the vicinity. Try, for instance, the walk to the romantic, almost deserted village of Bargème with its ruined castle, as well as hiking in the area surrounding it. Also recommended is a one-hour circular walk around the house - see the Information Book.
- Mountain and other bikes can be hired locally. Please contact the Caretaker, Ron.
- A number of local vineyards encourage visits and "on-the-spot" purchases, and there is also a good wine merchant in Fayence. See the Information Book.
- The dramatic Gorges du Verdon is one hour's drive. This is the European version of the Grand Canyon, offering hiking, canoeing, kayaking, canyoning and mountain biking in abundance. A true adventure playground.
The Infinity Pool looking south east
The Main House faces south
The outer wall of the Infinity Pool
The Rents In 2010
| Month | Price |
|---|---|
| June & September | £4,750 per week |
| July & August | £5,750 per week |
N.B. These rents include the services of the resident cook on 5 ½ days per week (see "OTHER FACILITIES AND INFORMATION" above).
Unless otherwise agreed, all lets will be for a minimum of 1 week, and will begin and end on a Saturday. Tenants should arrive as soon as possible after 5pm on the commencement day, and should leave before 10am on the agreed day of departure. They will be met on arrival.
If so, please click the flags to go to our Enquiry/Booking Form
The Deposit
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 6 weeks prior to the commencement of the tenancy.
The Booking And Security Deposit
A Booking and Security Deposit of £500 will also be payable to Anglo French Properties Ltd on signing this Rental Agreement. This will secure the booking, and will cover the cost of (a) telephone and fax calls made during the tenancy, (b) 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 8 weeks of the tenancy's conclusion.
