Terrace view from the main house. Enjoy sunny Provence year round.
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: Renovated 17th-Century House, 2 Bedrooms + Other (See Description), 2 Baths (Sleeps 6-7)
In 1989, this ancient village house was beautifully restored in the Provencal manner by Christian Richer, a well-known local architect. The house and adjacent guesthouse offer you the opportunity to enjoy your time in the south of France while 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, terra-cotta tiles, white stucco walls, large windows and medieval architectural details.
Each of the four floors is furnished in practical simplicity with cheerful French and Native American fabrics matched with a mix of antique and newer furniture. As is typical with older village houses, ours is very compact and vertical in nature. Be prepared to go up and down the narrow, circular staircase several times each day.
The front hall at #12 includes a coat closet and the utility room. Up the curving staircase takes you to the second floor where there is a guest bedroom with built-in desk, twin beds, closets and a separate tiled bath with combined shower/tub. There is also a built-in clothes washer and dryer in the bathroom.
Up another short flight of curving steps brings you to the main living area, which overlooks the ancient tiled rooftops of Seillans.
The main living room includes a pillowed banquet, comfortable 19th century chairs, a working fireplace, dining area and a modest yet complete kitchen. Large double-glazed windows open wide to let in the sunlight and cooling hillside breezes while you prepare meals or read a good book.
Just a few steps off the main room is the master bedroom suite with a double bed, a sitting area with desk, bookcases, TV and couch. 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 (fourth floor) 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 volcanic mountain range in the distance, swallows overhead and tiled rooftops everywhere. The terrace includes a table, chairs, sun umbrella and Provencal kitchen with BBQ grill, sink with running water, dishes, and pots of local herbs and flowers.
One of the quiet surprises you’ll discover in Seillans is that there are no streets within the center of its ancient walls. And consequently, there are no vehicles. Cobblestone footpaths, every stone protected by the historic trust in France, traverse the 300-house village. This is your chance to decrease your carbon footprint while on vacation because you walk, not drive, from our house to local businesses and cafes. And you walk from the parking areas that are provided along the perimeter of the village.
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, bakery, post office, ATM machine, beauty salon and a newspaper shop. There are outdoor tables in the square at Placette de la Route where you can order drinks or a croque-monsieur 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 five+ restaurants, a few shops, interesting art galleries and a couple of small but quite charming hotels, it is not a major tourist destination. There are no crowds here to impede a stroll to the boule grounds or an 11 AM aperitif under the plane trees shading the Hotel des Deux Rocs while you take a moment to enjoy the view of the Chateau, La Porte Sarrasine (the Saracen's Gate), built in the 12th century, and Font d'Amont, one of the oldest water points in the village.
Seillans may be quiet (at least when the church bells are not ringing on the hour) but it is far from isolated. In fact it is the perfect spot from which to explore the area. 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.
PLEASE NOTE:
Our property includes the main house and a self-contained guest house next door. The two houses can be rented separately or together 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 properties comfortably accommodate six to seven people. Note that the rate for the house and guest house TOGETHER is an additional 600 Euro / $875 USD per week, or you can rent just the guest house. It's a very inexpensive way to see the area while living in the village of Seillans. Check our rates and availability 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): Basic French TV channels 1-5 are available on a small color TV in the main house master bedroom.
- CD Player
- Music Library: There are several FM radios in the house and we will soon have an MP3 player for iPods.
- 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: Available soon.
- 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: As soon as we get France Telecom to give us a new number there will be free use for local calls. Prepaid phone cards for long distance, and internet ADSL access coming in 2010.
- Broadband Internet: Coming soon. Ask for details.
- WiFi (Wireless Internet): We will have this available early in 2010.
- Other Amenities
- Well-provisioned Kitchen and Bathrooms, Antiques, Cookbooks, Novels, Travel Books, Tub, Two Showers, Rooftop Terrace w Sink & Tableware, Pets can be Considered, Consult with Owners.
- Suitability
- Pet Friendly
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Golf
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Boating
- Parasailing
- Shelling
- Swimming
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Rock Climbing
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Antiquing
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Live Theatre
- Museums
- Horseback Riding
- Other Activities
- Network of Hiking Paths criss-cross 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 Lachens Mountains; Boule (or Petanque) is THE Local Sport and 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 $1,300 USD or 900 Euro per week
May -September $1,450 USD or 1000 Euro per week
Guest House ONLY: year round $875 USD or 600 Euro per week
Main House AND Guest House, add $875 USD or 600 Euro to Main House rental fee
Rental fees include all linens, towels, key exchange, and cleaning on departure.
You will be met (and on your departure) by our English-speaking housekeeper.
The property will be clean and ready for your arrival. Addtl cleaning during your
stay can be arranged. Email or call for rental rate details.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Map & Owner's Profile
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.
The Unique Benefits at this Renovated 17th-Century House
Life in a 400-year-old home is almost impossible to experience in the USA. Our home in Round Pond, Maine was built in 1865 and people tell us that is so old. But it is actually quite modern compared to our home in Seillans. The old stone building on Rue du Presbytere has a long history of occupants ranging from farm animals to generations of families long gone. So if you enjoy 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.
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. ..and just next to le
http://www.valdiris.com/ Val d’Iris 341 Chemin de la Combe 83440 Seillans t�l : 04 94 76 97 66 - e-mail : info@valdiris.com
CHATEAU DES SELVES 83440 SEILLANS Famille CHRISTINE Propri�taire - R�coltant T�l : 04.94.76.84.61 Fax : 04.94.84.38.61 Nous �crire: chateaudesselves@wanadoo.fr www.chateaudesselves.com
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 book a special me
Owner's Map of Seillans
We decided that a 400-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: The village web site is at http://www.seillans.fr/
Property Photos
- Terrace view from the main house. Enjoy sunny Provence year round. - Seillans, Provence, France - Vacation Villa Rental - Better than a Hotel!
- Arrow points to our roof terrace w umbrella. Photo by Gary. - Seillans, Provence, France - Vacation Villa Rental - Better than a Hotel!
- Pillowed banquet & fire place where you can read, relax and enjoy a quiet meal. - Seillans, Provence, France - Vacation Villa Rental - Better than a Hotel!
- Kitchen & dining area, perfect for breakfast or dinner with locally-grown food.
- Master bedroom includes a sitting area and desk for your computer & postcards.
- The guest house overlooks roses and historic Placette Font-Jordany.
- Coffee up on the terrace as the sun rises beyond Fayence in the distance.
- Seillans: One of the most beautiful villages in France & historically protected.
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #6624
There have been 1934 visitors to this page since the counter was last reset in 2009.
This listing was first published here in 2001.
Date last modified - November 28, 2009
Positive Rating
We are the new owners of this home in Seillans. We purchased it from a woman who owned the property since 1986. She was sad to have to sell it. We look forward to renting our new home and the guest house in the coming years. Summer 08 guests: We had a great time in Seillans. The house had all we needed and plenty of room as well – a must with two active youngsters. From Seillans we managed a number of day trips (Cannes, Monaco, St Raphael, Grasse and even the Grand Canyon du Verdon). My kids especially loved getting to the lake (it was summer) to swim or hire a pedal boat. I don't know what more could be provided. The run-down sent to us for reprinting included where to buy the best bread, coffee, etc and also local medical contacts (not needed fortunately but a necessity when you are traveling with kids). Even now we talk about sitting on the rooftop patio having a glass of wine and watching the sun go down. Sept 2009 Guests: The house is great and so is the location - we thought it had practically everything one needed in the place. We will have happy memories for many years to come. Also absolute top meals at the local restaurants and even from the supermarket deli (Huit a 8) at the bottom of the hill. Sept 09 Guests: We had the vacation of a lifetime at your lovely home. Oct. 09 Guests: "Your home has great character and charm. It was perfect."