Seillans: Arrow points to our home's roof terrace w umbrella. Photo by Gary
Location: Seillans, French Riviera (Cote d'Azur), France, Europe (Nice Cote d'Azur airpor 1 hr - Beaches 45 min - Aix. 1.5 hr.) View Map
Accommodations: House, 2 Bedrooms + Detached Unit, 2 Baths (Sleeps 6-7)
Keywords: Maison de Village. Renovated 14th-Century House & Guest House
Rent the main house (4 adults) or add the guest house next door (2 adults) to accommodate up to 6 adults. This ancient village house with a private guest house was beautifully restored in the Provencal manner by Christian Richer, a well-known local architect. Relax and enjoy your time in Provence by staying in a private home with great character and comfortable furnishings. Modern kitchen and bath fixtures have been carefully matched with raised-panel woodwork, wrought-iron hardware, terracotta tiles, white stucco walls, large windows and medieval details.
Each of the four floors in the main house is furnished with colorful French and Native American fabrics matched with a mix of antiques. As is typical with village houses, ours is very compact and vertical in nature. Rooms are bright and open but not large by US standards. Be prepared to go up and down the narrow, circular staircase several times each day.
The front hall includes a coat closet and utility room. Up the narrow curving staircase takes you to a guest bedroom with built-in desk, twin beds, good closet space and a separate tiled bath with combined shower/tub and a built-in clothes washer/dryer.
Up another short flight of curving steps brings you to the living area, one side of which has windows that overlook the tiled rooftops of Seillans and beyond to L'Esterel mountains.
This area includes a pillowed banquette, antique chairs, settee, a working fireplace, dining area and a modest yet well provisioned kitchen. Large windows open wide to let in the sunlight and cool hillside breezes.
Just a few steps off the main room is the master bedroom suite with a double bed, built-in closets, and a sitting area with a desk, TV and bookcases filled with good books. The bedroom also includes a pumpkin-and-white ceramic-tiled bath with fluffy white towels, a skylight, and a large shower. A pocket door provides additional privacy between the master bedroom and the main living area.
The roof terrace is reached via a set of handcrafted mahogany stair/steps. These are very steep but surprisingly easy to adjust to. Up top you will discover a breathtaking view of the countryside below with l’Estérel mountain range in the distance, swallows overhead and tiled rooftops below. The terrace includes a table, chairs, sun umbrella and Provencal kitchen with BBQ grill, sink with running water, dishes, and pots of flowers.
Seillans is a small, quiet medieval village. You go there to get away. There are no streets inside the village. And so there are no vehicles. Cobblestone footpaths, protected by the historic trust, traverse the 300-house village. Here you can decrease your carbon footprint while on vacation because you can easily walk, not drive, from our house to local businesses and cafes. And you walk to our house from the parking areas provided along the village perimeter.
A short walk down La Rue de la Boucherie brings you to the busiest part of the village where there is a small grocery store, flower shop, pizzeria, gift shop, day spa, bakery, post office, ATM machine, beauty salon and a newspaper/tabac shop. There are outdoor tables in the square at Placette de la Route where you can order food and drink from the cafe/bar Charlot.
Or you can walk back up to Place du Thouron for a more substantial meal at one of the two fine restaurants located on either side of the fountain: Le Relais D’Olea and La Gloire du Mon Pere.
And while Seillans has 4-5 restaurants, a few shops, interesting art galleries (like The Orange Tree), and a small but quite charming hotel, it is not a major tourist destination. There are no crowds here to impede a stroll to the boule grounds where you can order a glass of rose from the little bar for one Euro, sit a moment, or take a look at Le Génie de la Bastille, a sculpture created by Max Ernst when he lived in Seillans with his wife, Dorothea Tanning. You can also order an aperitif under the plane trees shading the Hotel des Deux Rocs, enjoying the view of the Chateau, the 12th century Saracen's Gate, and Font d'Amont.
Seillans may be quiet (at least when the church bells are not ringing) but it is far from isolated. Day trips can be planned along the Cote d'Azur, into the heart of Provence, or up into the Haut Var, the region just above Seillans. And then there are all those other intriguing perched villages where you can spend an afternoon visiting local mills that produce extra-virgin olive oils, watch as local artisans create stunning hand-blown glassware, shop for fresh foods and antiques at outdoor Marches, or spend time driving from vineyard to vineyard, for degustation, sampling the local Cote Provence wines right in Seillans at Chateau Selves or Val d’Iris.
Other destinations within an hour's drive (depending on traffic conditions of course) range from an ancient abbey at Thoronet to the Mediterranean beaches, like those at Frejus, Cannes, St. Tropez, and Nice. And then, just think, you get to drive back to the peace and quiet of our private home in Seillans, just in time for dinner on the terrace.
Rent one or both houses!
Our property in Seillans includes the main house and a self-contained guest house right next door. Either home can be rented separately or rent them both as one package for larger groups. The two-floor guest house has a private balcony, full (small) kitchen, living area with fireplace, one bedroom (two twin beds), and one bath w shower. The guest house is attached to, and designed in the same style as the main house, but reached by a separate private entry. When rented together, the two houses comfortably accommodate six+ people. The rate for the main house and guest house TOGETHER is an additional 600 Euro / $875 USD (approx) per week over the main house rental. Or rent just the guest house. It's an inexpensive way to stay in the village of Seillans. Email for availability as the guest house rentals are not shown on the calendar.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer : There is a washer in both the main house and guest house.
- Dryer : Only the main house has a dryer. There is also a clothes line in the main house and guest house.
- Linens Provided : Fluffy cotton sheets and towels in both houses.
- Off Street Parking : Because Seillans does not allow vehicles into the heart of the village, there are several public parking areas just outside the perimeter. Most of these are a short walk from the property and it is not difficult to find a place.
- Wood Fireplace : The main house and the guest house each have a wood burning fireplace and there is a third fireplace w Weber grill up on the roof terrace for outdoor cooking.
- Beds
- Double Bed : Master bedroom includes individual reading lights in headboard.
- Twin/Single Bed (2) : The spare room in the main house and the bedroom in the guest house each have two twin beds.
- Child Bed : This spare bed folds up and is kept in the guest house closet.
- Crib : Cribs can be made available on request.
- Entertainment
- TV (No Cable/Satellite) (2) : Basic French TV channels 1-5 are available on a small TV in the main house master bedroom and a larger TV in the guest house.
- CD Player
- Music Library : There are several FM radios in the house and we have a stereo system where you can plug in your 3.5cm jack to listen to your iPod or other MP3 player.
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen : There is a full kitchen in both the main house and the guest house. Basic kitchen staples are provided and additional items will be there at your request.
- Cooking Utensils Provided : An interesting collection of culinary tools for cooking your favorite recipes.
- Refrigerator : Small refrigerator w freezer in kitchen.
- Dishwasher : Only in the main house kitchen.
- Microwave : New this year with a built-in grill feature.
- Outdoor Features
- Charcoal BBQ Grill : A new baby blue Weber BBQ is available on the roof terrace complete with all basic supplies for outdoor cooking.
- Deck/Patio : Outstanding views over the village and beyond. Perfect for private evening meals while watching swallows circle above. Terrace also has sink with running water, potted plants, sunshade umbrella, tables and chairs.
- Balcony : The guest house has a lovely balcony overlooking roses, hiacynth and bouganvillea with a view down to the ancient stones of the Placette Font Jordany.
- View/Location
- Mountain View : Panoramic views over the ancient tiled village rooftops to Fayence, St Paul en Foret and beyond to the ancient l'Esterel mountain range along the Mediterranean coast. Beautiful sunrises, swallows, and the church bells all add to the enjoyment of life up on the terrace.
- Communications
- Telephone : There is a house phone for free calls throughout France. Prepaid phone cards can be used for long distance, or you can use Skype for very inexpensive calls via our wifi internet ADSL access line.
- Broadband Internet : The house has wifi via Orange LiveBox service or you can connect to your computer via the ethernet cable provided.
- WiFi (Wireless Internet) : WiFi, pronounced Wee Fee in France, is available to our guests.
- Other Amenities
- Hair blower, French soap, iron and ironing board (in both houses), antiques, cookbooks, novels, travel books, maps, beach towels/picnic blankets, studio-size digital pipe organ in guest house, pets can be considered.
- Activities
- Golf
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Boating
- Parasailing
- Swimming
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Antiquing
- Live Theatre
- Horseback Riding
- Shelling
- Hiking
- Rock Climbing
- Restaurants
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Museums
- Other Activities
- Network of marked hiking trails criss-cross the area; Tennis on Seillans' 2 Courts (more courts in Fayence 5 kms distant); Seillans has a small Pool; Olympic Pool in Fayence; Sailing & Windsurfing on Lake St Cassien 20 minutes away; world class sailplane center at Fayence; Hang Gliding & Paragliding at Moustiers & Lachens Mountains; Horseback riding; Boule (or Petanque)Seillans' Boule Ground is just a 5-minute walk away. But if little white balls are more your style, there are two 18-hole golf courses nearby at the Four Seasons Terre Blanche just outside Fayence: www.terreblancegolfclub.com
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
Main House ONLY: Oct -April $1,000 USD per week
May -September $1,450 USD per week
Guest House ONLY: year round $850 USD per week
Main House AND Guest House, add $850 USD to Main House rental fee
Rental fees include all linens, towels, key exchange, and cleaning on departure.
For a small fee, arranged in advance, our housekeeper will meet you on arrival.
The property will be clean and ready for your arrival. Addtl cleaning
can be arranged. Rates adjusted based on USD to Euro. Email or call for details.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Map & Owner's Profile
Seillans Village House: Quiet. Character. History. Views.
Year Purchased: 2009
Why the Owner Chose Seillans
Beyond the holiday crowds in the heart of Provence, or along the Côte d'Azur, the historic perched villages of Seillans, Fayence, Mons, Bargemon, Callian and many others offer visitors a relaxed pace where you can unwind and enjoy life ... once you are off the French roads of course. These are just more reasons why we chose this place for our home away from home. And we enjoy sharing the experiences of those who come to rent our home each year, as they discover life in the south of France for themselves.
The Unique Benefits at this House
Have you ever wanted to experience life in a renovated 700-year-old home? High up in a medieval perched village? Our home in Seillans has a long history of occupants ranging from farm animals to generations of families long gone. So if you enjoy being a part of history as much as we do, then learning more about the perfumerie up the hill, the artists Max Ernst & Dorothea Tanning, the old silk worm building, the Chateau, and the 11th century church around the corner (L'Eglise Saint Leger) then you might also enjoy staying in the village of Seillans and in the Var. There are wonderful hiking trails beginning in Seillans. You can swim in freshwater Lac St Cassein. There is even a brand new sports center for those who skateboard or mountain bike. And Seillans has a public swimming pool and tennis courts. Local art galleries dot the village and surrounding area which has been a haven for artists over the years. The light here is brilliant and you can see works from the masters in many places from the Picasso museum in Antibes to the Maeght Foundation in St Paul Vence. And if you like antiques as much as we do, there are weekly markets throughout the area ... from flea markets to serious antique events. But nothing surpasses the food. Much of it locally grown and sold in weekly markets, farmer's markets, and in local grocery stores. Add the local olive oils, wines, honey and bread to die for and you may want to get a house here yourself one day.
If you prefer night life and the bustle of the city, you may want to rent closer to the coast in Cannes, Antibes or Nice. But you can always go there from our place, it's only a 45 minute drive.
When you are standing in front of the church, coming out their front doors, our "street" can be located by walking to your right and taking the first lane on the left.
La Gloire de mon Pere: our favorite www.lagloiredemonpere.fr/accueil/ Owner Eric Brunel and his mother manage this well-known local landmark just a 2-minute walk from our home.
http://www.valdiris.com/ Val d’Iris 341 Chemin de la Combe 83440 Seillans e-mail : info@valdiris.com
CHATEAU DES SELVES 83440 SEILLANS Tel 04.94.76.84.61 s@wanadoo.fr www.chateaudesselves.com
Local farmer's market in nearby Callian, about 10 km from Seillans. Always open Sat mornings and many other days depending on season. Fifteen farmers of the township offer their specialties at this intersection at the foot of the village near Grasse-Draguignan road, not far from the Domaine de Terre Blanche. Vegetables, fruits, herbs, poultry Farm of B�ou� Seren Les Arcs, foie gras, duck breast ... Farm Allexandre Callian, wines of the Domaine de Ramatuelle Bruno Latil (3 to 4.70 euros), honey, jams ... Ample parking.
http://www.combeslongues.com Local farm way up in the foothills that produces a fine goat cheese as well as savon au lait de chevre and a mellow olive oil. You can stay overnight or reserv a meal.
Artist in residence, Tessa Peskit, displays her luminous paintings along with several other artists in this local gallery run by husband, Nigel Cox and Giotto the Cat. www.theorangetreegalerie.com
Owner's Map of Seillans
We decided that a 700-year-old village house in Seillans was much more interesting to own than stocks & bonds. Come see for yourself and enjoy the peace and quiet of life in a medieval village with wonderful restaurants, small shops, and art galleries all within the confines of this car-free perched village. Surrounded by forests and nestled on a hillside in the Var region, Seillans is a wonderful place to relax. This area of France is a wonderful combination of lovely beaches, red rock mountains, the ocean, inland lakes, the Alps, canyons, fascinating cities, medieval villages, and great food wherever you go. And these are just some of the reasons why we enjoy life here in the Var. We are fairly quiet so the atmosphere in Seillans is just perfect for us. It can get a little boisterous in August, but it will still seem quiet to those who come from larger cities.
Property Photos
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- Seillans: Arrow points to our home's roof terrace w umbrella. Photo by Gary - Seillans, Provence, France - Vacation Villa Rental - Better than a Hotel!
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- Seillans: One of the most beautiful villages in France & historically protected. - Seillans, Provence, France - Vacation Villa Rental - Better than a Hotel!
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- Beautiful spiral stairs.There are four levels so you will get a lot of exercise. - Seillans, Provence, France - Vacation Villa Rental - Better than a Hotel!
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- Terrace view from the main house. Enjoy sunny Provence year round.
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- Sunset after a rare rainstorm. Terrace views private and stunning.
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- Roof terrace kitchen w Weber BBQ and sink for dining outdoors in style.
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- Pillowed banquet & fire place where you can read, relax and enjoy a quiet meal.
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- Kitchen & dining area, perfect for breakfast or dinner with locally-grown food.
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- Small, charming kitchen. Mix of new and old things for memorable meals.
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- Master bedroom includes a double bed, windows and lots of closet space.
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- Master bedroom also has a private bathroom with shower, desk and free wifi.
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- Second bedroom in main house has a private bathroom w washer/dryer.
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- The guest house next door overlooks roses and historic Placette Font-Jordany.
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- Guest house has 2 single beds, private bathroom w shower and washing machine.
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- Guest house can be rented separately or combined with main house rental.
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- We can't promise you a rainbow, but this is one seen from our terrace last year.
Traveler Reviews (11)
Guest house and main house guests 11-2011
Guest: Karen
(-)
Date of Stay: 11/18/11
Review Submitted: 11/30/11
Get away from it all in a French village Left on 11/29/2011 for a stay in November 2011 We stayed in both the main house and the guest house for a week in November. Having visited France several times before, we were ready for a different experience from the usual hotel in the middle of town--we wanted to experience a taste of village life. The directions provided from the Nice airport were very very very clear! There was no way to get lost. Both houses had lots of specifics provided about the amenities, wireless, telephone service, emergency numbers, etc, and were very comfortable. They were sparkling clean with spacious, modern bathrooms. Wish there had been an actual coffee maker, but we figured out how to use the French press pretty quickly. Wireless worked great in both houses. We loved the guitar and played almost every night, or played music on our Ipod. Stairs in the houses are steep and the streets of the town are rocky and uneven, so this is definitely not a place for tiny children or anyone with mobility issues. We loved the authenticity, gorgeous surroundings, and slow pace, but it would not be good for someone looking for lots of "action" (at least not in the late fall). There were one or two restaurants open and serving for a couple of hours on most days, and a big grocery store about a 15-minute drive away in Tourette. We took a couple of great daytrips to Nice/Antibes/Cannes which are easy drives, and there are some great local wineries that are worth a visit. On Saturdays most everything is open, and there are wonderful craftspeople selling handmade jewelry, clay tiles, and other local products. I would recommend this rental to a friend who is looking for this sort of experience. It's not for everyone, since it's very much an authentic French village and not a tourist haven. For us it was perfect!
Recommended for:
25th Wedding Anniversary
Guest: Pam
(-)
Date of Stay: 09/20/11
Review Submitted: 10/22/11
From a couple who stayed for a week in September 2011: "We were just talking about your home tonight over what was the most fabulous dinner at La Gloire de mon Pere. The home you have here is lovely and we are enjoying ourselves immensely. The problem is we should have added an extra week since we have such a hard time leaving the comfort of the place. We are not early risers, so by the time we get up, have breakfast on the roof, read the papers (over the Internet) in the sun, do some business, it is late morning! Than we just sit a little longer because we can. But, we have managed to visit some lovely places. But, we don't like to stray to far. For the record, the information you left is fabulous and it made our stay so much easier. Any questions we might have had have were all addressed in your notebook. So, in short, this was the best 25th wedding anniversary we could have had! We will be very sad when we turn the door key, twice, for the last time."
Recommended for:
Guest: Guests from London
(-)
Date of Stay: 06/06/11
Review Submitted: 06/14/11
"We had a wonderful stay at this house in Seillans! From the moment I picked up the phone to make the booking everything was perfect. From the meticulous details that the owners sent me, including driving directions and things to do in the area, to the wonderful condition of the house. The highlight for me was the roof terrace, the view is spectacular and we spent several evenings up there having a bbq and playing cards and enjoying a few drinks. The village itself is charming, there is plenty to explore and several restaurants to eat out in. 5 stars and highly recommended."
Recommended for:
Guest: Review from recent guests
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Date of Stay: 05/02/11
Review Submitted: 05/14/11
"Going Back in Time but Having Modern Comforts" Our stay was wonderful here. It was my husband and me and our three young children, ages 9, 9, and 7. My kids loved it and pretended they were the characters from Harry Potter and it was number 12 Gimauld Place. I loved it because it felt like we had gone back in time but had all the comforts we needed. It was well supplied and perfectly clean. One night we had a huge rain storm and the rain filled the pathways with flowing streams. It was magical as my whole family went out to splash in the puddles and get drenched! And the church bells, I loved them! They would ring a few times a day and were beautiful to hear and watch from right outside our door. If up on the terrace, you could see them. We spent most meals on the beautiful terrace in order to soak in the view while feeling the sun or breeze on our faces. When we first booked this little place I was wondering how the walk from the car was going to be, especially with three kids, knowing that it was a little distance away. It was awesome! I loved walking into the village, especially at night! I would say that I preferred it. Being able to experience the village before you get to the house just made it that much more awesome. There was a little kitten that would greet the kids any time we were outside our door. The process of booking and arriving was made very easy with all the information that the owners provided! I highly recommend this for any vacation to Provence.
Recommended for:
Guest: Unedited review from three recent guests
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Date of Stay: 04/05/10
Review Submitted: 05/09/11
My husband and a very good friend spent 8 days at the village home of Mark and Kim Jespersen. My husband is French and the both of us had spent some time already in the south of France, but had never stayed in a village. Mark and Kim provide a great preview of what to expect upon arriving, giving detailed information from leaving the Nice airport to instructions on how to operate anything in the house. This is all extremely helpful in helping to make a vacation stress free. The village of Seillans is about an hour from the coast. It was so relaxing to get back to the house after a day of sightseeing, sit on the terrace with a glass of rose and watch the sun go down. Seillan in april is relatively quiet, not heavily touristy. Not too far away are more lively towns - I was very happy to have Seillans to return to each night. The house in in the very middle of the village. The house itself is a typical village home with a narrow circular staircase separating the two bedrooms in the main house. The master is off of the main living are and there is a small staircase leading to the terrace behind the chimney - almost like a companionway on a boat. It's absolutely charming! It's the perfect getaway. The southern views from the kitchen/living area and from the terrace are spectacular, and the kitchen is equipped with all the essentials and more... We all had such a great time in this location. My girlfriend and I ran each morning and my husband did the croissant run...then we hit the road and explored the Gorges du Verdon, Mons, Nice, Cannes, St.Tropez, Valbonne, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Bargemon, Antibes...nearby vineyards, the list goes on.
Recommended for:
Guest: Professional Chef and Sister
(-)
Date of Stay: 04/15/11
Review Submitted: 05/03/11
My sister and I stayed for a week in Seillans. The town is charming and a great jumping off point for visits to other villages. It is remarkably easy to get anywhere. The house is equipped with everything one could need(no big tv, but who needs that?). the Jespersen's have a wonderful library of maps and guidebooks for the area. We loved having morning coffee on the balcony and relaxing there in the early evenings after a day of travel. The beds are comfortable, kitchen well equipped. The living/dining area isn't large by american standards, but again , if you are out and about, or up on the balcony, it's all one needs. Great spot, great location and very well cared for the owners!
Recommended for:
Guest: From four recent guests June-July 2010
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Date of Stay: 07/01/10
Review Submitted: 07/24/10
These comments were submitted to our other rental site but we wanted to include them here as well: We found the house and location exceeded our expectations. It was comfortable and well-equipped but most importantly it gave us the chance to stay in a beautiful and historic village. June 2010 We have rented many homes in France and their efforts to provide background information and the way in which their home is decorated and maintained was much better than most we've rented. June 2010 This was the perfect place to spend our vacation with our daughters. The place was comfortable with plenty of space, and we enjoyed many dinners on the rooftop deck as we admired the beautiful view. May 2010 Honestly I would not change anything about your house, everything was perfect. May 2010
Recommended for:
And a great time was had by all
Guest: joltinjoe
(Langdon, NH, USA)
Date of Stay: 04/15/10
Review Submitted: 04/27/10
We recently (April 15-22) returned from spending a week in this truly beautiful home. We started our days on the roof deck watching the morning mist burn off the valley and ended our days as well up there watching the sun set.The house was very well fitted with up to date appliances and even had wi-fi which really came in handy. The welcome packet prepared by the owners was an immense help. It included everything you needed to know from how to operate the washing machine to local restaurant reviews. Seillans is consdired to be one of the most beautiful villages in France and justifiably so. And not just in architecture or flowers. The people there are great. We went to a choral performance around the corner from the house in the village 11th century church that was spectacular. We found everyone there friendly and helpful. It also made a great base to explore the other surrounding villages and sights not to mention the proximity to the coast where there happens to be a newly built theater in Frejus with amazing proformances. The village tourist office has an incredible collection of Max Ernst work and the staff there are knowledgable and very friendly. They recommended the marche in Muy, the largest in the region and should not be missed. We highly recommend this home to anyone looking to enjoy this beautiful region of France. The home was spotless, had every amenity we needed and with the owners packet, really a huge bonus, we had a memorable vacation that we hope to repeat in the future.
Owner response:For people who are considering our property as a future rental, we are very interested in working with you to make sure our home is exactly what you need and has everything you think it should when you arrive. A 700-year-old village house in Seillans is not for everyone, but if it is, your trip will be quite memorable.
Recommended for:Families with teenagers, romantic getaway, adventure seekers, sightseeing.
Seillans Village House
Guest: ShadyRocks
(Damariscotta, Maine)
Date of Stay: 02/25/10
Review Submitted: 03/26/10
I stayed in this village house for 10 days in February and March and found it as delightful as the owners describe. The property is exceptionally clean and well-maintained. It is nice to have a private salle de bain for each bedroom. The view from the rooftop terrace is breathtaking and it was a charming place to have a coffee in the morning (after a quick walk to the boulangerie for a croissant). The terrace gets lovely sunlight. The area has an abundance of markets for local wine, cheese, and produce and returning to this pied-a-terre in Seillans is the perfect place for a leisurely meal after a day of exploring the area. The owners have thoughtfully prepared a binder with suggestions for restaurants and sight-seeing. It was a nice touch to find a hottle of wine from the Chateau Selves upon arrival. Thank-you!
Owner response:There are several wineries in the immediate area, and even little Seillans has a Provencal Marche every Wednesday morning though it hardly compares to the Saturday market in nearby Fayence. And we have just added several other local restaurants to our suggested list. We try to find the best value matched to really outstanding food and service. There are many to choose from both in the village and a short drive away. We did install new shower heads this month, as the old ones were just not up to our standards. We also just installed a digital pipe organ, studio size, in the guest house, in case that appeals to any new potential renters.
Recommended for:Girls getaway, romantic getaway, adventure seekers, sightseeing.
Great honeymoon destination
Guest: calimans
(Boston, MA USA)
Date of Stay: 10/18/09
Review Submitted: 03/26/10
My husband and I stayed here in the main house for a week for our honeymoon in October 2009. We found the description of the house to be very accurate. The house is very charming, and we fell in love with the town of Seillans, where everyone was very friendly and welcoming. Walking through the town, you feel as though you are walking through history, with 400-year-old buildings surrounding you and cobblestone streets beneath you. As for the house, we did most of our living on the 3rd floor, where you have a great open living space. The kitchen has a great view of the countryside and is very cozy. But, carrying food and suitcases up the 2 flights of winding stairs can be tricky. The stairs are narrow and it's a tight circle. Going up to the terrace (up yet another flight of stairs) is equally tricky. It took some getting used to, but we didn't find it to be problematic and helped us burn off all the delicious food over there. In Seillans you don't need a car, but it would be a shame to come to this area and not explore other towns. The only easy way to do that is to rent a car. We rented a car for our week here and had a great time exploring the area on day trips each day. Definitely go for a small rental car--those roads are narrow and the French drive quickly and aggressively! We had a lot of fun just driving around. The sights are beautiful and breathtaking. Driving in this region is not for the faint-hearted, but once you get used to it, it's a lot of fun. This house was perfect for us. We were able to cook at home comfortably when we wanted, and there were great restaurants around when we wanted to eat out. We still speak longingly of the food at "La Gloire de Mon Pere". There wasn't a TV there when we went, so we spent a lot of time reading (Seillans is very quiet at night), which was the perfect way to recuperate after all the wedding craziness. We also enjoyed wine and cheese and other goodies up on the terrace, which was wonderful. (The food and wine of this region is amazing!) My only warning is that if you're super social people who love being around tons of other people, this might not be your best destination. People in town are friendly, but it's very quiet by 8PM. After a week here, we went to Paris where we were able to be a bit more social, which worked well for us (we're fairly social!) Both my husband and I loved being here. After one week here, we felt rested and rejuvenated, and we are excited to return in the very near future.
Owner response:Good advice about the vertical nature of our medieval village house. We typically drop about 3-4 pounds each time we stay because of the stair climbing and walking in the village. Might be one reason you don't see many heavy-set people around. And for those who want to enjoy the south of France in more quiet times, the fall and winter are best, as when you were there. By July and August, there is a big change, but Seillans never feels too busy or over run with tourists, as happens in many other places in Provence during peak summer months.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing.
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