Le Cygne

Route de St. Barthélémy, 83690 Salernes, Var

A striking, contemporary Villa with an infinity swimming pool and panoramic views over the wooded hills of the Var. Le Cygne, is an incredibly striking, single-storey Villa, set around a panoramic infinity pool and with fabulous south-facing views over wooded hills and valleys. The Villa was designed and built in 1994 by a Chicago-based architect and the frontage is almost entirely glazed to flood the rooms with sunlight and make the most of the views. Reflecting the remarkable creativity of its owners, Le Cygne has a powerful sense of space and light, which, combined with its commanding situation and panoramic views, is hugely inspiring. With minimalist white décor throughout, the Villa is aptly named ‘The Swan’ and this provides the perfect blank canvas for the most arresting artwork and sculptures.

Spending all or part of hot summer nights on the couch installed on the Roof Terrace is a special experience. It’s the ideal place to marvel at the star-studded skies, and to witness the occasional shooting star. It’s also somewhere very pleasant to enjoy a drink in the late afternoons, and overlooking the spectacular wooded hills and valleys to the south.

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Overview

Sleeps: 6

Bedrooms & Bathrooms

2 doubles with en suite bathroom
1 twin with en suite bathroom

Rent per week

€3,600 – €6,600 per week depending on the season. Saturday to Saturday.

Key features

Single storey villa
Infinity swimming pool
Modern architectural design
Outstanding space and light
Private and peaceful
Stunning views
Walking distance to Salernes

Testimonials

"...We have just spent a very relaxing week at Le Cygne. This spacious modernist house, with its wonderful pool, spectacular view from the terrace, and adorned with some striking sculptures, provided us with a very comfortable week in hot weather, suiting both old and young (teenage) alike. Regular use was made of the tennis courts at Villecroze, while there was much to explore in the surrounding villages including their hostelries. Jack of Anglo French Properties had direct experience of the house and was able to give an authoritative view of what it and the surrounding area offered. His process of administrating the letting was clear and simple, while I always felt that any query or additional request (such as locating a local cook at short notice) could be managed without difficulty"

James Gardiner London, England 2022

"We stayed at Le Cygne for a fortnight in August and enjoyed every minute of it. The House itself is truely stunning and quite unusual for the region in terms of its modern architecture and interior design. The side of the house facing out over the valley is entirely glass fronted and provides wonderful views while still being very secluded. The owners are serious about art (he is a working artist) and have decorated the house throughout with beautiful paintings and sculptures. They were also very considerate and flexible in terms of managing our arrival and departure times. A cleaner comes in every 2/3 days so the house is always spotless. The surrounding area offers plenty to do in terms of sightseeing and restaurants, while the village offers an excellent choice for local shopping."

Joe Topley, London, England.

The House and Accommodation

The Kitchen / Dining Area

With floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors that open onto a panoramic Dining Terrace with a retractable sun blind and a gas barbecue nearby. The Kitchen/Dining Area has a table seating 8, gleaming white units, a gas cooker with 5-burner gas hob, an electric oven, a fridge/freezer, double sinks, dishwasher, microwave, toaster, coffee maker, blender, juicer etc.

The Sitting Room

Luxuriously large and light, with a front wall of floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors opening onto the Sun Terrace. The room is furnished with sofas and armchairs, and has a contemporary stone fireplace, satellite TV, a DVD player and masses of DVD’s.
Next to the sitting room, behind the large chimney is an ‘office area’ with two desks and a printer/scanner.

Art Studio

A separate art Studio adjoins, where art exhibitions are held from time to time, but not during tenancies, of course.

Bedrooms & Bathrooms

Bedroom 1

The very large air-conditioned Master Bedroom, with floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors opening onto the Pool Terrace and a 6’ 6’’ double bed. The ensuite Shower Room 1 has a walk-in shower, a double wash basin and a W.C.

Bedroom 2

Has a 6-ft double bed and a large cupboard where the family’s games are stored. The ensuite Bathroom 1 has a bath fitted with a shower, a washbasin and a W.C.

Bedroom 3

Has two, 3’ 6’’ single beds and ensuite Bathroom 2, with a bath fitted with a shower, a washbasin and a W.C.

Garden and Grounds

Le Cygne has an immensely discreet and understated setting, approached via electronically-operated entrance gates to a shaded parking area. The Villa stands in 2 hectares (5 acres) of grounds and has magnificent views over the totally unspoilt wooded valleys and hills of the Var.

In the gardens to the front of the house there is a boules court. The boules are kept in the house.

The Villa has been designed so the whole frontage opens onto a stunning Terrace with sun loungers, sun umbrellas and a dining area, then a few steps lead down to an infinity Swimming Pool.

The roof terrace is a lovely feature of the house to enjoy, furnished with a sofa, chairs and low table from which the magnificent view and night sky can be enjoyed. Likewise from the comfort of a large round bed with a futon.

Swimming Pool

The Swimming Pool is 8.60 metres long and 2.10 metres wide, with Roman steps into the shallow end which is 1.50 metres deep, sloping to 3 metres at the deep end. The Pool is filtered and alarmed.

Location

Le Cygne is situated off a very quiet country road, and 500 metres from the scenic nature reserve called the Site de St Barthélémy. This reserve is a ‘must-visit’, with its shady trees, pond, streams and mini-waterfalls, offering many attractive walks, biking trails, and places for a picnic.

The village of Villecroze (5 kms) has a lovely square, a variety of cafés and restaurants, and a bakery, post office and grocery. The larger villages of Salernes and Aups (2 kms and 7 kms respectively) both have good shopping including supermarkets, and restaurants in various price ranges.

40 minutes’ drive to the north is the 10 km-long Lac de Ste Croix with excellent swimming from its many beaches in crystal-clear water, as well as wind-surfing, sailing and pedalos.
To the east of Lac de Ste Croix are 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. Electric motor boats can also be hired.

How to get there

Airports

Toulon (Hyères) international airport is about 1¼ hours’ drive
Marseilles (Marignane) and Nice are approximately 1½ hours’ away.

Train

Stops at Aix station (between Aix-en-Provence and Marseilles)

Things to see and do nearby

Lavender

A nearby lavender farm makes and sells lavender essences and related items. There are also nougat and honey producers in the vicinity.

Restaurants

There are many restaurants in the area ranging both in price and quality, with truffles being the local speciality. Details and descriptions of some of them are given in the Information Folder.

Markets

Markets abound in the local towns and villages, with details of where and when shown in the Information Folder. Local pottery and Provençal fabrics are very popular.

Tennis

There are tennis courts in Salerns – the house information folder contains information on how to book them.

Horse Riding

Nearby riding stables offering everything from lessons to dressage, to trekking in the stunning surroundings.

Golf

There are some great local golf courses.

Bicycles

Can be hired in Salernes.

Walks

Wonderful walks in all directions. Very much including the nearby nature reserve of the Site de St Barthélémy (see the LOCATION section).

Water-based Activities

The many activities on/in/around the Lac de Ste Croix and the Gorges du Verdon.

Beaches

The Mediterranean beaches of Cavalaire and St. Tropez are within 2 hours’ drive (in any month other than July and August when getting to them can take rather longer).

Local Towns & Villages

There are many stunning towns and villages to explore in the vicinity. Aups is known as Provence’s truffle capital – when in season, stalls of truffles are on display on market days. Tourtour is called the ‘village in the sky’. Entrecasteaux boasts a marvellous château with grounds designed by Le Nôtre who also laid out the gardens of Versailles. Salernes has numerous pottery shops and an excellent Sunday market, whilst the pottery centre of Moustiers Ste Marie is also noted for its metal star suspended across the gorge above it, brought home in triumph from the Crusades.

Fêtes

During August the whole of the Var is “en fête”. This can be most exhilarating, with concerts, fireworks, folkloric events and special markets for local pottery and handicrafts. Aups has a week of lively festivities, usually around the middle of August.

Vineyards

These abound in the region, producing red, white and rosé wines (rosé is a Provençal speciality). Many offer tastings and on-the-spot purchases.

Additional Information

Arrival welcome and departure: Tenants will be met on arrival and will be shown how everything works, both inside and out.

Wifi and Broadband: The Villa has Broadband/Wi Fi internet access. There is a house telephone.

Housebook: There is a housebook kept that gives further information as appropriate on all aspects relating to the property and surrounding areas.

Additional entertainment: There is a set of “boules” in the Villa. There is a boules court close to the entrance of the house.

Services included: A cleaner is employed to clean twice a week. Maintenance of the swimming pool and grounds is the owner’s responsibility.

Optional / additional services available: As long as sufficient notice is given, a part-time cook can probably be arranged. His/her/their wage/s will be the tenants’ responsibility and, if requested, will be ascertained prior to the commencement of the tenancy.

Utilities: Utility Room – accessed from the Kitchen with a washing machine, a tumble dryer, an iron and an ironing board, and a laundry sink.

Air conditioning and heating: This is an all-year-round property, with an underfloor heating/cooling system.

Children: No children under the age of 10 (or babies or toddlers) will be allowed.

Car Parking: Parking available on the property – shaded.

Rents
2024
Period (2024) Weekly rate
June and September  €4,800
July and August  €6,600
All other available months €3,600

A reduction of 5% is offered for the second week of a two week booking, or the final week of any let of more than two weeks.

Terms and Conditions

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 of €600 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 between 4pm and 6pm 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 6 adults staying in the property at any one time. No children under the age of 10 (or babies or toddlers) will be allowed.

Security: The owner’s insurance policy requires that all outside doors (sliding and otherwise) are locked, and that the alarm is set whenever all tenants leave the property for whatever reason. They will be shown how to set and unset this alarm, and also how to operate the electronically-controlled entrance gates.

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: Linen and towels, and the cleaning of the linen and towels are included in the rental price. These 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.

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