Property Overview
- Sleeps: 10
- Bedrooms: 2 doubles and one twin in main house, and two doubles in the annexe cottages
- Bath/Shower Rooms: 3 shower-rooms in main house + 2 in annexe cottages
- Rent per week: £3,500 - £8,950
- Key features:
Spectacular hillside position and views
Superb interior design of great style and elegance
Separate annexe cottages with 2 additional double bedrooms - Air conditioning in all bedrooms
10-minute walk from La Garde-Freinet
20 minutes drive from St Tropez
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Le Haut Refren
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 is a really beautiful house with a wonderful garden and great views. The fact that we could walk into the village was a great bonus (there is a charming and very knowledgeable wine merchant in La Garde Freinet!) Although we felt close to the excitement of St Tropez, the house offers tranquility and a feeling of space and calm – very welcome, particularly in the heat of high summer. We travelled as two families and the layout of the accommodation was particularly suited to this. We were very well looked after by the charming couple who live on site. Thoroughly recommended'.
CJB and DJS, London July 2022.
“My family and I spent a very enjoyable week at Le Haut Refren in August, and would heartily recommend it. It is a beautiful and spacious property in a great location. The views from the property over the surrounding hills and valleys to the coast are stunning, and occasionally enlivened by the appearance of mountain goats perching on the nearby rocks. We enjoyed eating in the excellent restaurants in La Garde Freinet and the surrounding towns, and there was a good deal to see and do in the locality. The service was superb at all stages, and we were very well looked after by the two housekeepers. They were even able to recommend quiet and attractive routes for cycling. We will definitely use Anglo French Properties again.'
Mr and Mrs Hereward Phillpot, Kent, 2022
'We could not have enjoyed our week at Le Haut Refren more. It is a quintessential Riviera property set in a beautifully kept garden, secluded and with commanding views down to Port Grimaud and the Gulf of St Tropez.
The house has been designed and decorated with an acute eye for detail, with overall levels of comfort and convenience far above average. There are many areas in and around this lovely Provencal farmhouse where one can sit and relax with family and friends, and depending on the time of day, in or out of the shade.The pool area is spectacular, perched on a rocky hillside with extremely comfortable loungers and a summerhouse with drinks cabinet and fridge close at hand.
The separate cottages with two bedrooms and ensuite bathroom are charming, offering extra accommodation for guests or older children.
The house is approached down a picturesque track through native woodland, and is a twenty minute walk from the centre of La Garde Freinet. Returning uphill from the village may take a little longer! La Garde Freinet has all the shops, bars and restaurants you would expect, and there is a huge additional choice in the wider area.
There are plenty of lovely walks, graded from easy to challenging, and taking in some superb views towards the the Reserve Naturelle Plaine des Maures to the North West and the Golfe de St Tropez to the South East, most of which are accessible from the village without the need for a car.
Le Haut Refren is definitely one of the best houses we have stayed in. A gem in the Var!
Ben Rimington Wilson, Yorkshire, England
Accommodation
The House is approached down a long track then via a charming path across a terrace featuring an ornamental pond with goldfish and waterplants. An attractive wooden front door opens into the entrance hall, with high ceilings and exposed beams.
There is air conditioning in all bedrooms.
Ground Floor:
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.
Master Bedroom (Bedroom 1) - 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.
Separate W.C. with a washbasin.
Laundry Room - fully-equipped, with a washing machine and tumble dryer, irons and an ironing board, and a second large fridge/freezer.
Breakfast Terrace - with a stone table seating 8. A path leads to the pedestrian gate next to the main entrance gates.
First floor
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 - 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.
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.
The Cottages
20 metres from the Main House, in the shade of a spreading pine tree is a Larger Cottage with magnificent sea views.
The Larger Cottage 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.
Wooden steps (which can be lit at night) descend to a charming Smaller Cottage which contains a further Bedroom 5 with a double bed and ensuite shower room (5) with walk in shower, WC and washbasin.
Garden & 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 entrance to the property is via high, electronically-operated gates, with a separate pedestrian gate. There is parking outside and inside the entrance gates.
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.
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.
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.
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, 1 hour’s drive from Nice airport, and about the same distance from Toulon airport. The TGV, stops at both Cannes (¾ of an hour’s drive) and at Nice. An hour’s drive is elegant Aix-en-Provence with its music and opera festivals, and its many art galleries and museums.
Additional Information
Le Haut Refren sleeps 10 (including children and babies) in 3 double bedrooms and one twin bedroom.
There is air conditioning in all bedrooms.
No pets are allowed.
Wi-Fi is provided.
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.
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.
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.
There are safes in all Bedrooms.
The rent includes: Broadband/Wi Fi internet access, mains water and electricity. Local calls on the 2 house telephones are free of charge.
There’s a high chair and a travel cot with bedding.
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.
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.
Tenants will be given “fobs” to open and close the entrance gates. They will be shown how the Main House/Cottage alarm works, and will also be given “fobs” to operate it, as well as keys to the entrance door and the pedestrian gate. The owner’s insurance policy requires that all outside doors and windows should be closed when tenants leave the property for any reason, and that the alarm should be switched on.
Things to See & Do near Le Haut Refren
There are two Information Books in the House giving useful telephone numbers including a doctor, dentist, police, fire, taxis etc. It also lists recommended restaurants, beach bars, nightclubs, shopping and market days in La Garde-Freinet, supermarkets and shopping in nearby Grimaud, and market days in St Tropez. The tourist offices in La Garde-Freinet, Grimaud and St Tropez also have much useful information.
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.
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.
There are nearby tennis courts on the hill opposite Le Haut Refren, and a tennis club in Grimaud where lessons can be arranged.
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.
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.
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.
A livery stable on the road between Grimaud and Cogolin offers riding lessons as well as trekking in the surrounding hills.
There are some marvellous walks and mountain-bike trails in the vicinity. Bicycles can be hired in Cogolin.
Port Grimaud offers children-friendly sailing, water-skiing and wind-surfing lessons.
There's a go-karting circuit between Grimaud and Port Grimaud.
Small children will enjoy the "little train" which runs between Grimaud and Port Grimaud.
Rents & Terms
2023 Rents and Terms per week
1st January to 15th April £3,500
15th April to 13th May £4,000
13th May to 27th May £5,250
27th May to 3rd June £6,000
3rd June to 10th June £6,350
- 10th June to 1st July £6,950
1st July to 26th August £8,950 - 26th August to 2nd September £6,950
2nd September to 30th October £5,250
Unless otherwise agreed, all lets will be for a minimum of 1 week, and will begin and end on a Saturday. Tenants should arrive after 5 pm on the commencement day, and should leave before 10 am on the agreed day of departure. They will be welcomed on arrival by the staff.
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.
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: (a) heating the swimming pool (if required) @ £120 per week, and (b) the cost of replacing/making good any losses, breakages and/or damages incurred during the rental. It will be returned to the Lessee/s within 4 weeks of the conclusion of the tenancy, less any quantified deductions.
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