Charming villa, yet affordable, in Villefranche-sur-mer, the real Cote d’Azur.

Thank you Sir for your generally positive assessment. We note the need for a handle on the lower entrance door. The gardener has already informed us that we will have to review the drainage system for access to the downstairs apartment. On the Côte d'Azur, as elsewhere, we are now victims of more violent storms and the water is having difficulty draining. Merci Monsieur pour votre appréciation globalement positive Nous notons le besoin d’une poignée à la porte d’entrée du bas. Le jardinier nous a déjà signalé qu’il va falloir revoir le système de drainage de l’accès à l’appartement du bas. Sur la Côte d’Azur, comme ailleurs, nous sommes désormais victimes d’orages plus violents et l’eau a du mal à s’écouler.

Thank you Kenneth Indeed on the Riviera we go down and … we go up a lot. As for the train station, you are optimistic. It can be very convenient to come to Villefranche. But with luggage, it takes 25 minutes to walk up to the house.

Thank you for your appreciation and thank you for your comment on the temperature which allows us to inform about this subject. We ordered cellulose wadding insulation for the roof, which is even more effective against the heat than against the cold. It will be done this fall. We do not intend to install air conditioning for obvious ecological reasons. The thick stone walls make it possible to limit the heating of the house, especially if the shutters are left closed on the sunny side during the day (by only opening the Italian shutters for light) The part of the terrace where you will have lunch and dinner is sheltered not only by a sun umbrella but also from midday by the climbing plant on the pergola (bougainvillea). Merci pour votre appréciation et merci pour votre remarque sur la température qui nous permet de faire le point sur ce sujet. Nous avons commandé une isolation pour la toiture en ouate de cellulose qui est encore plus efficace contre le chaud que contre le froid. Elle sera réalisée cet automne. Nous n’avons pas l’intention d’installer de climatisation pour des raisons écologiques évidentes. Les murs en pierre épais permettent de limiter le réchauffement de la maison surtout si on laisse les volets fermés côté soleil dans la journée (en ouvrant seulement les volets à l’italienne) La partie de la terrasse où on déjeune et dîne est abritée nous seulement par un parasol mais aussi à partir de la mi-journée par la plante grimpante qui monte sur la pergola (bougainvilliers).

Thank-you very much Michael. Come back when you want. You are right; one can enjoy very much without needing a car if he likes to walk reasonably. I hope you also tasted the oranges in the garden (winter season). Next time I will certainly pay a visit to La belle étoile and transmit your recommendation to the other guests. Jean-Claude

Yes as a result of some mysterious technical bug for a certain time the house was not properly situated on the map of the website and I did not notice that until you told me. This as now been corrected by the website. During the high season it is some time difficult for Stéphanie and her team to clean the house as thoroughly as they would like to do it in the short time between departures and arrivals. If there is a problem please contact Stéphanie after your arrival and ask for a complementary cleaning.

Thank you very much for this assessment which perfectly describes the atmosphere of the house. Glad you liked it as it is. Sorry I didn't have training planned for the downstairs shower. As you have seen it has been completely refurbished but there is not really room for a door. The curtain is not a perfect solution.

Thank you Elly, for your detailed and overall positive feedback. We try to think about toilet paper and trash bags at your disposal before you go shopping. We hadn't thought of soap. Thanks for the suggestion. Two or three remarks/answers concerning your observation on sheets and towels. - First of all, we have the impression that our tenants are less and less aware of the difference between a rental house and a hotel. We are surprised to receive more and more requests for the next day or the same evening. But a rental is not a hotel. - Also we try to maintain attractive prices in an expensive region. Tenants who can/wish to bring their own sheets and towels do not have to pay this option additionally. We also try to reduce the price of the "concierge service" - essential when the owner is not there - to a strict minimum. Hence the fact that you pay directly the person in charge of reception, sheets, cleaning without any additional levy from anyone. Thank you for your questions and suggestions. I hope my answers provide some explanation.

Thank you, Kirsten, for this detailed and very balanced assessment. It's true that in the middle of August, if it's been hot for several days, especially nights, the house has more difficulty cooling despite its thick walls, attic insulation, and Italian-style shutters. We won't consider air conditioning for ecological reasons. However, large ceiling fans could be very effective. Regarding cleaning, there can be criticism, especially at the end of the high season when there is very little time between rentals. It's especially important that tenants call right away to report any problems and request that they be corrected!

Thank you for your appreciation I take note of small problems that have to be fixed. Regarding parking I warn all those interested that the villa has a garage for one car only and that parking other automobiles can indeed be difficult at times.

Ces vacanciers sont arrivés avec plusieurs jours de retard et ont cherché dès leur arrivée tout ce qu'ils pourraient critiquer pour se faire rembourser. Ils sont sans doute déçus de ne pas l'avoir été.

Merci Madame pour votre appréciation sur la maison. Pour ce qui est du bémol vous me fournissez l’occasion de quelques précisions. - La rémunération demandée pour Stéphanie ne couvre pas seulement des frais de ménage. Quand on loue une maison c’est que les propriétaires ne sont pas là. Il faut bien que quelqu’un assure une présence pour mettre les clés à disposition notamment et pouvoir répondre à des problèmes d’urgence en liaison avec le propriétaire. Nous pratiquons des tarifs de location très raisonnables, n’incluant pas ces prestations et préférons que ces frais d’accueil soient réglés directement à l’intéressée en toute transparence. - Une location saisonnière n’est pas un hôtel. La location de draps et serviettes est une possibilité offerte à ceux qui ne souhaitent pas en apporter (20 euros et non 25 par lit double me précise Stéphanie). Quand elle en a la possibilité elle fait les lits… Ce n’est pas toujours le cas. Mais nous avons bien compris que ce n’est qu’un bémol et que vous avez globalement apprécié votre séjour à Villefranche.