パノラマビューの静かなオリーブグローブにあるプロバンスヴィラセット

Maggie Lockett studied Practical Horticulture, Plants and Plantsmanship and advanced Plants and Plantsmanship at the English Garden School (Chelsea Physic Garden), gaining a Diploma with Distinction in each. More recently, she has continued to study, including intensive plant tours to South Africa's Cape, China and Japan, in order to to generate a greater understanding of Mediterranean gardening. She has extensive plant knowledge and has spent the last fifteen years developing her gardens within an olive grove.

We were looking for a typically Provencal style of property, where we could express our own ideas and style. We discovered this property of about three hectares, which had half to two thirds cultivated and the rest wild. Later we became avidly interested in gardening and particularly Mediterranean climate plants and techniques; and so found we had made such a lucky choice in our French home.

The grounds are very spacious, allowing plenty of privacy for both a main house and guest villa. It has a feeling of seclusion and yet is not too far from anywhere you'd want to visit. Clients often ask 'why don't you say how peaceful it is on the website?' - It's just difficult to say just how relaxing and peaceful it is!

It is always a delight to discover the pleasures of the area outside the high summer season. Spring has gorgeous warm weather - walking, swimming, playing tennis are all very enjoyable, if you can tear yourself away from admiring the gardens and wild flowers!

The autumn is a great surprise with gardens still showing a floral displays up to the end of November. An lovely "Indian summer" allows one to lunch outdoors almost until winter. Many of our guests come in the off peak times to enjoy the hills, or just to relax with the odd game of tennis, and then enjoy dinner by an open fire in the evenings.

The local villages are more charming than ever in spring and autumn, with a more relaxed feeling in the build-up to summer and a peaceful calm as the families go back to work and school.