La Bastide des Oliviers

Access is up a small track towards the top of the hill on which the property is located. The drive commences through formal stone gate posts into a drive that curls up through the garden to a parking area outside the house where there is ample parking space for several cars. Additional space for parking can be reached up a secondary drive further away from the house.

The house is entered in the North/higher/rear side from the parking area under a porch with Roman tile roof into a small Entrance hallway at the end of which lead two sets of steps/stairs one of which descend to the left to the lower ground floor and the other ascends to the right to the bedrooms on first and second floors.

There are 6 double bedrooms, two of which can be converted to twin bedrooms and 6 ensuite bath or shower rooms.

Ground Floor

The descending stairs lead down into a front hallway filled with natural light from its generous French windows which lead straight out onto the terrace and gardens on the Southern side of the house. There is an upright piano in this room.

A step up from this hallway leads into a small cosy sitting room with sofas and armchairs around a raised open log fire.

A second sitting room/TV room also adjoins the hall with comfortable sofas and a large 60 inch flat screen TV (satellite/smart TV) and well stocked bookshelves.

A downstairs WC also adjoins.

In the other direction from the hallway a large open plan kitchen diner extends west down the Southern side of the house. The dining end has a large oak table capable of seating 8 comfortably with further searing for 12 adjacent to the kitchen in the loggia. Doors open onto the terrace that runs the full length of the Southern side of the house.

The well equipped traditional kitchen has a handsome central table/work surface with units under, kitchen units to two sides and stainless steel sink unit with Smeg gas oven cooker. There is also a fridge freezer.

There is an adjoining ‘Back kitchen’ with dishwasher, fridge freezer, double sink, Jura coffee making facilities, microwave, toaster etc and storage.

A door from the kitchen diner leads down into a well decorated and well lit ‘cave’

There is an office area with a desk and connections for a computer. There is broadband/WiFi internet throughout the house.

A storage/utility/washroom area with washing machine, tumble dryer, iron and ironing board is the last room on this end of the ground floor. It has a door leading through to a double garage which will be secured and is not part of the let.

Stairs ascend from the front hallway via the entrance hallway to:

The First Floor

Bedroom 1 ‘The Master Bedroom’ with King Size bed (1.8w x 2m) which can be divided to form a twin room with south facing windows and air conditioning.

Ensuite Bathroom 1 with free standing roll top bath, shower, twin wash basins and WC.

Bedroom 2 with double bed (1.5w x 2m), south facing windows and washbasin in the bedroom.

Ensuite Bath/Shower Room 2 with walk in shower.

A separate WC adjoins on the same landing.

Stairs ascend to the Second Floor and Bedrooms 3, 4 and 5.

Bedroom 3 ‘The Pink Room’ with double bed (1.5 w x 2m) and

Ensuite Shower/Bathroom 3 with walk in shower, single basin and WC.

Bedroom 4 with King Size double bed (1.8w x 2m) and south facing windows with

Ensuite Bathroom 4 with bath (with shower over) WC and single wash basin.

Bedroom 5 ‘The Blue Room’ with double bed (1.5w x 2m) and a separate single bed.

Ensuite Shower/Bathroom 5 with shower WC and wash basin.

Bedroom 6 is a ground floor double bedroom with its own independent entrance from the western end of the terrace. Double bed (1.8w x 2m) which can be split into two singles to form a twin room. This room has a flat screen TV and a mini fridge for cold drinks.

Ensuite bath/shower Room 6 with shower, wash basin and WC.

La Bastide is located in The Haut Var region of Provence between Draguignan and the Provencal market town of Lorgues.

Draguignan (8 minutes) has a good choice of restaurants, shops and local services aswell as some interesting museums including an Artillery Museum and the National Museum of Art and Popular Traditions.

The pretty medieval town of Lorgues (10 minutes) has a wonderful weekly market, good shopping and a further choice of restaurants

It is also within easy reach of Les Arcs (10 minutes by car) and Flayosc (7 minutes by car). Both are delightful villages. Les Arcs has a market on Thursdays and there is a boulangerie, grocers, banks, a chemist and a post office aswell as a number of restaurants and café’s. Similarly, in Flayosc there is a market on Monday, a boulangerie, grocer, butcher, post office and bank aswell as a Spar shop, chemist, restaurants and café’s.

The coast is within easy reach and Saint Maxime and the Bay of St Tropez is only 35 minutes away with beaches and views over St Tropez. From St Maxime a short ferry is the quickest route to St Tropez.

Nice airport is 1hr and Marseilles (Marignane) c 1½ hrs. Toulon (Hyères) international airport is also about 1 hours' drive.

The TGV stops at Aix TGV station (between Aix-en-Provence and Marseilles), although some trains continue, rather more slowly, to Draguignan/Les Arcs.

The House Information Book contains details of recommended local shops, restaurants, markets, cultural, sporting and recreational activities plus many other suggestions on what to do and where to go in the vicinity. It also includes maps, brochures and important local contact details. A selection of these are mentioned below.

Markets - abound in the surrounding towns and villages, the largest and arguably the best of which is in Lorgues (10 mins) on Tuesdays. Draguignan (8 mins) has its market on Wednesdays and Saturdays and Les Arcs (10 mins) has its market on Thursdays.

The local specialities of pottery and Provençal fabrics are widely available in local shops and at the markets. There are also lavender farms which make and sell lavender related products. There are also nougat and honey producers in the vicinity aswell as the full range of Provencal herbs and spices, all of which can be purchased readily in the markets along with plentiful and excellent ranges of fish, poultry, meat, fresh fruit and vegetables.

There are many stunning towns and villages in the vicinity to explore including the following, to name a few:

Taradeau is a pretty village with church, café and wine cellar and has many small but convenient shops and bars.

Entrecasteaux boasts a marvellous Château and gardens designed by Le Nôtre in the 17th century who also laid out those at Versailles.

Tourtour, is known as "the village in the sky" whilst Aups, the gateway to the Haut Var, is said to be the truffle capital of France.

Salernes has numerous pottery shops and an excellent Sunday market.

Lac de Ste Croix (10 kms in length and 1 hr’s drive to the north) with excellent swimming from its many beaches in crystal-clear water, as well as wind-surfing, sailing and pedalos.

Here you can also see 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.

Bicycling – can be rented in Draguignan. Dragui cycles. Bicycles should be booked in advance of your arrival.

Restaurants and eating out – There is a great choice of restaurants in the area and a selection is suggested in the House Information Book.

Local fairs and festivals – including concerts at Abbaye du Thoronet, take place throughout the summer.

Golf – There are a number of reasonable to outstanding 18 hole golf courses within 30kms. Arguably the best are at St Endréol and Barbaroux. Details are contained in The House Information Book.

Walking – There are some interesting and varied walks from La Bastide and locally

Beaches – The Mediterranean beaches of Cavalaire, St Tropez and Cannes are all within driving distance. Ste Maxime is relatively easy to reach even in the busiest months and from here the quickest route to St Tropez is by short ferry trip. Details of beach bars and restaurants can be found in the House Information Book.

Wine/Vineyards – Vineyards are reasy to reach in most directions from La Bastide producing red, white and rosé. Many offer tastings and the excellent Maison des Vins at Les Arcs sells a comprehensive selection of the region’s best wines.

For children there are a number of childrens adventure playgrounds and zoos in the area including one near Vidauban which provides a range of activities for all ages.

There is a tourist office in Lorgues and Draguignan