Villa Bastide les Pins is a dreamy 10 person villa surrounded by pine forests that lies close to the heart of Grasse, the perfume capital of the world. Just a 30 minute drive from Nice International Airport this elegantly furnished villa with its private pool and stunningly beautiful mediterranean gardens provides the setting for the ultimate escape in a safe and private environment.
The property which is air conditioned has been beautifully constructed as a modern interpretation of a French Bastide traditional home. All of the bedrooms have views of the pool and gardens and three have their own balconies or mini patio - the perfect place for early morning coffee.
Recognising that sharing meals with family and friends is one of the joys of a villa holiday, the owners have provided two large dining tables both indoors and outdoors both of which seat 12 comfortably. Soft garden and pool lighting enhances al fresco dining. The kitchen with its double oven is very well equipped and caters easily for these numbers.
The lounge which has patio doors that open out onto the pool patio has a lovely nostalgic, classic club feel to it with its Jack Vettriano prints, piano and vintage gramophone player - a deliciously cool room in the balmy summer evenings where you can listen to music or share chatter whilst sipping your chilled wine. In winter months the room has a welcoming warm feel with its glowing log burner and wall inset low level lighting. Our guests always tell us that they like this room for relaxing at the end of the day.
The owners of the property are very connected with nature and enjoy a healthy, gentle and active lifestyle and so have created some special spaces in the beautifully landscaped gardens where guests may exercise, listen to the sounds of nature coming from the neighbouring forest or simply read that long overdue book - there is even a purpose constructed Moment In Time Circle that is surrounded by walnut, lemon, olive and pomegranate trees where you can meditate or take quiet reflective moments.
The villa nestles in its own little microclimate and its pathways are lined with lavender and pots of herbs whilst flowering oleander and jasmine hedges enclose the lawned area. Lemon and orange trees line wooden steps made from reclaimed railway sleepers that lead to the water lilied koi pond where you can sit and listen to the gentle sound of falling water or hand feed the fish.
The villa is perfectly located for days out at the beach (25 minutes away) or hiking, cycling in the hills, visiting medieval villages where time stands still or spending time out on nearby Lake St Cassien where you can fish, paddle board and swim. The village of St Jacques is less than a five minute drive (15 minute walk) away and has a top artisan bakery, supermarket, bank, chemist etc and high quality food and wine shops.
The owners have worked very hard to create a haven that is both "home from home" welcoming and peaceful but also conducive to fun times together with family and friends. Quality bed linen, towels and everything you would expect to find in a luxury villa is all here for your enjoyment. It's simply a very nice place to stay.
As the villa is sometimes used as a retreat venue it has beautiful serene like quality to it. The property is double gated with its own long private driveway so it is easy to shut oneself off from the world and yet at the same time, a fifteen minute walk into the village visitors will find every type of luxury food and wine shopping available along with a supermarket. There is also a direct walk from the property through the forest to a beautiful waterside walk that leads to a very special 16th century sanctuary Notre dam de Valcluse. There is a small organic grower just off the main road where you can collect seasonal fruit and produce. The property is adjacent to a forest running along one side of the property and it is delightful to sit out at night and listen to the scopes owls and watch bats feeding on the wing or to rise early with the sun and listen to a stunning dawn chorus. The garden is teeming with nature and is very special and even has a dedicated meditation area and koi pond and falling water stream - lovely places to sit and just be ... As you can see from the photos the garden is special. The property is uniquely located in that the coast, medieval villages, the mountains, lakes, vineyards are all within a 20 minutes drive.