Three bedroom house and annexe cottages of great charm and comfort with spectacular views towards the Bay of St Tropez. Le Haut Refren comprises a 3-bedroom house and two Annexe double bedroom cottages in a truly privileged setting, with breath-taking views over wooded valleys towards the Bay of St Tropez. The design, both inside and out, is the epitome of contemporary elegance and very relaxing.
Le Haut Refren
La Garde-Freinet, Var
Overview
Sleeps: 10
Bedrooms & Bathrooms
2 doubles with en suite bathrooms in the main house
1 twin room with en suite bathroom in the main house
1 double bedroom with ensuite bathroom in a separate a larger cottage
1 double bedroom with ensuite bathroom in a separate smaller cottage
Rent per week
£3500 to £9850 per week depending on the season. Saturday to Saturday.
Detailed breakdown of rent by week.
Key features
Spectacular hillside position and views
Superb interior design of great style and elegance
Separate annexe cottages with 2 additional bedrooms
Air conditioning in all bedrooms
10 minute walk from la Garde-Freinet
20 minute drive from St Tropez
Testimonials
The House and Accommodation
Living Area
a large, open plan room, comprising the Sitting Room, Dining Area and Kitchen, with golden oak floors and beamed ceilings. It is flooded with sunlight through several French doors, which open onto the Terrace and provide panoramic views towards the bay of St Tropez. The Sitting Room has two comfortable sofas, satellite TV and a working fireplace. The Dining Area has a table seating 8 and the modern, oak Kitchen includes a large range cooker, an American-style fridge/freezer and 2 dishwashers.
The Sitting Room
A comfortable, spacious family room with two sofas, two armchairs and a coffee table. There is also a cards table set up with chairs and a chess set, a separate drinks table and chaise long. There is a backgammon set and numerous board games including scrabble, trivial pursuit, puzzles and playing cards. There is a wood burning stove within a large traditional fireplace.
The Games Room
A huge room of barn like character with exposed beams, natural stone walls, a concrete floor and windows for light on both East and West side. There is a large raised wooden mezzanine/stage at the Northern end. The main area of the barn (20m X 10m) lends itself to a wide variety of uses – table tennis, indoor football, indoor cricket, dancing, partying or group exercise of any sort. Should you experience a wet day this is a splendid place for children to let off steam.
Bedrooms & Bathrooms
Bedroom 1 – the master bedroom
With exposed beams, double bed, built-in wardrobes and a satellite TV. French windows open onto a south-facing Terrace which runs along the front of the house. The ensuite Shower Room 1 has a walk-in shower, twin washbasins, a bidet, and a W.C.
Bedroom 2
With double bed, built-in wardrobes, a satellite TV and a window looking south. The ensuite Shower Room 2 has a walk-in shower, a washbasin and a W.C.
Bedroom 3 – twin room
With two single beds, built-in wardrobes, a satellite TV and a south-facing window. French windows lead to a small, west-facing Terrace. The ensuite Shower Room 3 has a walk-in shower, a washbasin, a W.C.
Bedroom 4
Is in the Larger Cottage and has a comfortable living Area/Bedroom , a working fireplace, 2 windows and a French window facing south. Its Bedroom (4) has a large four-poster bed, built-in wardrobes and a satellite TV. The ensuite Shower Room (4) has a walk-in shower, a washbasin and a W.C.
Bedroom 5
Is in the smaller cottage. Wooden steps (which can be lit at night) descend to a charming Smaller Cottage which contains Bedroom 5 with a double bed and ensuite shower room with walk in shower, WC and washbasin.
NB: there is air conditioning in all the bedrooms as well as safes.
Garden and Grounds
Le Haut Refren stands in approximately 4 hectares (10 acres) which are terraced, both above and below the house. It is utterly private and peaceful, with spectacular views over the wooded valleys below towards the Bay of St Tropez. The town itself can be seen in the distance. The upper Terraces form an established olive grove, and the garden has a wide variety of trees – yews, holm and cork oaks, figs, almonds and pines amongst others, as well as shrubs and masses of lavender, rosemary and santolinas.
Swimming Pool
Steps descend from the Terrace in front of the Main House to a lawn, and then to the L-shaped, alarmed swimming pool which is 24ft long and 7ft wide. There are wide steps into the shallow end, which is 4ft deep, shelving to 8ft at the other end. The Pool is surrounded by 8 sunbeds, many of which are shaded by the surrounding trees.
If required, the Pool can be heated at a charge to be confirmed. This should be unnecessary other than in cold weather.
Location
Le Haut Refren has a very secluded and panoramic setting, 10-minutes’ walk from the large village of La Garde-Freinet. It is about 2 kms from the D558 which climbs between Grimaud and La Garde-Freinet and 20 kms south east of the A8 autoroute (the exit is signposted “Le Luc/Le Cannet”).
La Garde-Freinet has a true Provençal “feel” with very reasonable shopping facilities and a number of local restaurants. There is also good shopping at Cogolin (12 kms to the south west), including Leclerc and Géant supermarkets.
The house is 9 kms from the nearest beach (at Port Grimaud), 21 kms from St. Tropez. An hour’s drive is elegant Aix-en-Provence with its music and opera festivals, and its many art galleries and museums.
Additional Buildings, terraces and eating areas
Breakfast Terrace – with a stone table seating 8. A path leads to the pedestrian gate next to the main entrance gates.
There are 3 large Terraces, all with stunning views to the south. The Zen Terrace is at the east end of the House where guests can dine at a table created from a hewn rock in the shade of an overhanging mulberry tree. To the west is a covered Terrace with comfortable armchairs grouped round a fireplace, and beyond this, and linking the House to the Cottage, is a newly-constructed Terrace in local stone with seating around a glass table, and a beautiful stone barbecue. All perfect for outside entertaining.
Below the Pool is a small lawn, at the end of which is a Pool House containing a fridge/freezer, a kettle, coffee cups and glasses.
How to get there
1 hour’s drive from Nice airport
1 hours drive from Toulon airport
The TGV: stops at both Cannes (¾ of an hour’s drive) and at Nice.
Things to see and do nearby
Golf
There are several good 18-hole golf courses in the vicinity, the majority of which are listed in the Information Books. The nearest are Beauvallon and Ste Maxime, whilst St. Endréol, Barbaroux, Château de Toulane and Valcros are outstanding.
Restaurants
The best beaches are probably Pampelonne (with its ‘Club 55’), Gigaro and Cavalaire (all south of St. Tropez) and boats can be hired at Port Grimaud to take passengers direct to these beaches.
Boat Trips
There are boat trips to the Isles d’Hyères, (Porquerolles being the largest of these islands). There are also boat services across the Bay of St Tropez from Port Grimaud.
Riding
A livery stable on the road between Grimaud and Cogolin offers riding lessons as well as trekking in the surrounding hills.
Watersports
Port Grimaud offers children-friendly sailing, water-skiing and wind-surfing lessons.
Walks
There are some marvellous walks and mountain-bike trails in the vicinity. Bicycles can be hired in Cogolin.
Go-carting
There’s a go-karting circuit between Grimaud and Port Grimaud.
Train
Small children will enjoy the “little train” which runs between Grimaud and Port Grimaud.
Local villages
In addition to La Garde-Freinet, there are many pretty villages well worth a visit – Grimaud and Port Grimaud, Plan de la Tour, Gassin, Ramatuelle, Bormes les Mimosas and Collobrières, to name but a few.
Tennis
There are nearby tennis courts on the hill opposite Le Haut Refren, and a tennis club in Grimaud where lessons can be arranged.
Tourist office
La Garde-Freinet, Grimaud and St Tropez also have much useful information.
Vineyards and wine
A number of local vineyards encourage visits as well as tastings and purchases. There’s also an excellently priced wine co-operative on the road between Grimaud and Ste Maxime.
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: There is wifi broadband internet access. There is also a printer which can be connected via WiFI or USB cable. There is a telephone for incoming calls only. Mobile phone signal is generally good and the WiFi is very reliable for mobiles too.
Housebook: There is a housebook kept at the property that gives further information as appropriate on all aspects relating to the property and surrounding areas.
Music and TV: The satellite TV’s in the Living Room and Bedrooms have English and European channels. There’s an I-pod docking station in the Sitting Room. There are DVD players and a large Library of DVDs. A PC with a printer is available for guest use in the main Living Area.
Services included: There is a full-time couple who live in a separate flat below the Main House, and who provide a discreet service. They set up the Terraces and the Pool area on a daily basis, and clean the House and Cottage including the Kitchen and Bathrooms, and make the beds.
Optional / additional services available: Moored in Port Grimaud, 15 minutes from the house, is a Riverama 44 speedboat available for hire at a daily rate plus skipper and fuel. Details can be obtained from Anglo French Properties.
Utilities: Laundry Room is fully-equipped, with a washing machine and tumble dryer, irons and an ironing board, and a second large fridge/freezer.
Air conditioning and heating: There is air conditioning in all bedrooms. There are fans in all the Bedrooms as well as in the Living Area. There are electric heaters in all the Bedrooms and in the Cottage – this is an all-year-round property.
Children: There’s a high chair and a travel cot with bedding.
Car Parking: There is parking outside and inside the entrance gates.
Rents
2024
Period | Weekly rate |
1st January – 11th May | £3,500 |
11th May – 25th May | £6,000 |
25th May – 1st June | £6,500 |
1st June – 8th June | £6,750 |
8th June – 15th June | £7,500 |
15th June – 29th June | £8,950 |
29th June – 31st August | £9,850 |
31st August – 21st September | £5,750 |
21st September – 26th October | £5,250 |
26th October – 28th December | £3,500 |
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 this Rental Agreement. This will secure the booking and will cover: (a) heating the swimming pool (if required) and (b) the cost of replacing/making good any losses, breakages and/or damages incurred during the rental. It will be returned within 4 weeks of the conclusion of the tenancy, less any quantified deductions. Tenants should advise Anglo French Properties Ltd at the end of each rental of any breakages, losses and/or damages.
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 as soon as possible after 5pm 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 10 people (including children and babies) staying in the property at any one time.
Security: The owners’ insurance policy requires that all doors are locked, and that all windows and shutters are closed, and that the alarm should be switched on when tenants are away from the property.
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. If pool heating is required however this will be at an additional cost – however in the summer it is unlikely that this would be necessary.
Linen and towels: Bed linen and bath towels are provided free of charge and will be changed weekly. Pool towels are also provided and will be changed daily. Beach towels are available on request.
Pets: No Pets
Smoking allowed: 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.