Fireplace area, Sitting Room and on to covered terrace and dining terrace
Location: St. Paul de Vence, Nice Area, French Riviera (Cote d'Azur), France, Europe (15 min.Nice airport; 7 min. Vence; 2 min. St Paul de Vence) View Map
Accommodations: Stone Villa w. Pool / Grounds, 4 Bedrooms + Convertible bed(s), 4.5+ Baths (Sleeps 8-12)
La Sonine is a beautiful stone-built villa, nestled in 5500 sq meters of garden and wood-lands 1 km from St. Paul de Vence, with the Med, the river Loup, wonderful museums, ancient villages and fantastic dining all within 15 mintues drive and La Fondation Maeght in walking distance.
What makes it particularly unique is that it is bordered by protected forest lands and therefore offers rare peace and privacy in the heart of cote d'azur. The grounds are extensive with lawn for croquet and badmiton, forest for shady naps and children's adventures and various sunny terraces for basking.
The villa is typically french in style with ancient terracota floors, arched windows and simple elegant furnishings.
Inside, there are 4 double bedrooms, all ensuite. Two have spacious private terraces, one opens onto the garden and tiled pool and the 4th enjoys its own access from outside. The furniture and furnishings all originate in France, China, Japan and Indonesia and have been carefully chosen to create a simple but elegant Asian/French atmosphere.
The cupola-ceilinged dining room seats 8 and the spacious and light sitting-room has a fabulous fireplace, card table and gorgeous artwork. The kitchen has a small table which seats 4 and is fully equipped, including American-style fridge with ice-maker, food processor, micro-wave and lots of cook-books. In the basement is a large TV/Games room with flat-screen T.V., DVD player, DVDs, Ping Pong, Table Football, books, games and sofabed. The separate Laundry room is also in the basement and has Washer and Dryer.
There are two bedrooms upstairs, both enjoying lovely private terraces and en-suite bathrooms. The spacious upstairs master bedroom, has a queen-size bed and walk-in wardrobe while the smaller "blue and white" room has two single beds which can be pushed together to make a king if required.
The master bedroom, with its king-size four-poster bed is located on the ground floor and opens up onto the garden and pool area. This spacious room has a study area (with fax machine, scanner and internet access) and sofa-bed should one wish to accommodate a child within the same room. The bathroom has double sinks, bath, loo and bidet.
The fourth bedroom is in the basement but is light and airy, due to a large glass door than offers independent access. This "Japanese" room, enjoys a modern bathroom with double sinks in glass and multi-head shower.
Outside, the dining terrace off the kitchen seats 12 and makes an ideal place to eat during the day (when the cover of the oak tree provides welcome shade) and in the evening. The gas barbeque makes for easy al-fresco cooking and, if you prefer, there is also a charcoal version. The covered terrace off sitting room makes a lovely place for drinks and a quiet retreat from sun and pool.
The stone and tile pool (4.5m x 11m) is heated, has an automatic, retractable security cover. The pool is salinated as opposed to chlorinated - salinsation is much gentler on the eyes and skin, having a PH level that is the same as one's eyes. It is surrounded by grass which is lovely under-foot and there are plenty of sun-loungers and chairs.
Bikes, heaters, fans, stroller, cot, highchair and some toys for children are all provided. Our storage 'chalet' is a wonderful place for children to play house, have camp-outs etc.
La Sonine is a highly secure property. It can only be accessed by electronically controlled gates covered. All access points are under 24hr digital CCTV surveillance, linked to a Response Centre. Fire and Emergency panic buttons are in place that link directly to a voice-response centre. There is also a sophisticated burglar/bandit alarm system and 2 safes. Saying this we have never had any issues with security.
For more photos of the house and garden please see the link mentioned below.
NOTE: we regret that we do not permit pets nor smoking inside. All bed linen and towels are provided, with the exception o
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer: Washer and Dryer are in the basement in a separate laundry room where they are not seen or heard.
- Dryer
- Linens Provided: 100% cotton, high-treadcount linen and all towels.
- Off Street Parking: The L-shaped drive way has ample room for 4 or more cars.
- Parking for RV/Boat/Trailer
- Gas Fireplace: Gas heaters are available on request
- Wood Fireplace: Beautiful wood fireplace and ample wood are provided.
- Beds
- King Bed: King 4-poster bed in Ground-floor master bedroom
- Queen Bed: Queen beds in basement and upstairs Master bedroom
- Twin/Single Bed: Twin beds in upstairs blue room
- Convertible Bed: Sofa beds are in the basement and Ground-floor master bedrooms
- Crib: A fold-away crib and linens are available, plus high-chair, car seat, and stroller
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV: The TV/Games room is in the basement with flat-screen TV and a selection of DVDs and books, plus satellite TV.
- DVD
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Private Pool: The pool is salinised as opposed to chlorinated which is much gentler on the eyes and skin. It can be heated if required at a cost of up to E300 per week.
- Foosball
- Ping Pong/Table Tennis
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided: Lots of recipe books, all utensils, nice table linen, candles etc.
- Refrigerator: Side-by-side american fridge with water and ice dispenser.
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Ice Maker
- Outdoor Features
- Gas/Electric BBQ Grill
- Charcoal BBQ Grill
- Deck/Patio: Extensive open terrace off of kitchen ideal for dining. Covered terrace off of sitting room. Open terrace off of Ground floor master bedroom
- Balcony: Both upstairs bedrooms have private terraces which are big enough for 3 people to bask comfortably.
- View/Location
- Mountain View: The property is a minute from the main road which leads to the A8, The Med, St Paul, Vence and Trourettes, yet one hears no noise from the road thanks to La Sonine's unique, private location at the edge of protected forest lands.
- Communications
- Telephone: 4 telephones, 2 walk-about
- Broadband Internet
- Other Amenities
- Heated private Pool with salinisation as opposed to chlorine which is much gentler on the skin, All bedrooms en suite, Upstairs bedrooms with private Terraces, Covered outdoor Terrace, TV/Games room with Ping Pong and Table football, Complete privacy, Flat screen TV with SKY, DVDs supplied, High speed internet access, Full Video Security, Alarm and Safes, Full Kitchen with Microwave, Separate Laundry room with Washer & Dryer, No Smoking inside, Library of Books
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Kid Friendly: The forests to the rear make and wonderful adventure playground for children. Our enormous garden hut, empty of furniture in the summer, makes a fabulous play-house and with ping-pong, croquet, table football, games, badminton, the pool etc., there is loads to do even on rainy days or in the winter.
- Minimum Age Limit for Renters
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Golf
- Tennis
- Theme Park (Amusement Park)
- Zoo/Wildlife Park
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Rafting
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Boating
- Waterskiing
- Parasailing
- Jet Skiing
- Swimming
- Windsurfing
- Biking
- Hiking
- Antiquing
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Live Theatre
- Museums
- Horseback Riding
Rate Details (In Euro)
January 1 - May 31............E4000
Easter week ...............E4500
June...........€5000 per week
July & August......................€6200 per week
September - October...........€4800 per week
November - Christmas............E4000 per week
July/Aug prices include all towels, linen, laundry and utilities
Up to E300 per week may be charged out of these months for pool heating.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Map & Owner's Profile
Year Purchased: 2002
Why the Owner Chose St. Paul de Vence
We love the location because there is so much to do a stone's throw away. You can be swimming in the Mediteranean Sea in about 15 minutes drive or visiting some other stunning local villages such as Tourettes sur Loup, Vence (where there are some fantastic music festivals), Biot, Valbonne, Grasse. The river Loup runs through a pretty village called Villneuve Loubet which is about 10 minutes away and it is nice to take the kids there with fishing nets and a picnic. There is also a fantastic tree climbing place here which our kids adore. There are 2 Michelin starred restaurants in St Paul and others a short drive away. Nice itself is about a 20 minutes drive and I think a trip is never complete without a stroll down the promenade and lunch on the beach there. Frankly, there is so much to do and none of it is difficult because we are so central. Saying this, we are away from the crowds and traffic on the coast in July and August and as we are tucked up against the National Park we could be in the middle of nowhere.
The Unique Benefits at this Stone Villa w. Pool / Grounds
We are the ultimate family home. With the cool of the forest to the rear, children will not run out of things to do if they ever tire of swimming in our salinated pool. Being salinated eyes will never get sore nor skin irritated as the PH level is the same as they body. The forest provides opportunities to make camps, play hide and seek and, at the other end of the property, the flat open grass provide the ideal place for football, badminton and other ball games or pull out the ping pong table for a match. With all this on hand at home parents can relax and yet going out to absorb the local culture and atmosphere is hassle free with so many villages, museums and even festivals within a 15 minutes drive. A walk along the Promendade in Nice, the old towns of Vence, St Paul, Tourettes, the castle in Cagnes sur Mer, the river in Villneuve are ideal excursions and all have lovely restaurants for lunch. For the rare rainly day, there is the basement, table football, loads of games and DVDs.
For those travelling without children all this is to hand and much more within a slightly longer drive.
Property Photos
- Fireplace area, Sitting Room and on to covered terrace and dining terrace - Vence, French Riviera (Cote d'Azur), France - Vacation Villa
- View of La Sonine from Lower Garden and parking area - Vence, French Riviera (Cote d'Azur), France - Vacation Villa
- The Pool 4.5m x 12m as viewed from terraces - Vence, French Riviera (Cote d'Azur), France - Vacation Villa
- La Sonine viewed from flat lower garden
- Looking from garden house to covered and open terraces
- Covered terrace off sitting room
- The Blue and White Room and its Terrace
- The Upstairs Master Bedroom and Terrace
- The Ground Floor Master Bedroom and Study
- The Japanese Bathroom
- Basement bedroom with en suite bathroom and private entrance
- 3000sq m of private forest land - great for kids adventures or quiet reflection
- TV/Games room with SKY, Ping Pong and Table Football
- Entry hall and dining room
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #46768
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This listing was first published here in 2004.
Date last modified - October 07, 2009
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Hilary Spicer , Henley-on Thames, UK