Villa De La Magie

About this property

Perched on a terraced hillside of olive trees, close to an enchanting village much loved by artists, Villa De La Magie enjoys the most magical setting in the Côte d'Azur hinterland near Grasse.

Feel the historic charm of this gorgeous abode which offers beautiful accommodation for twelve guests. The 19th century house is a delight with pretty blue shuttered windows and south-facing aspect. Step inside and it’s just as lovely with carefully selected antique furnishings and characterful features alongside modern comforts such as a sound system, cable TV and a wonderfully equipped country kitchen. Two of the doubles are en suite, including the romantic master bedroom, whilst the two bedrooms on the top floor share a beautifully decorated bathroom. Downstairs, French windows lead out to a stone terrace and a gorgeous pergola for tranquil breakfasts of coffee and croissants. 

A 500-year old two-storey cottage, just set behind the maison, also features an en suite double bedroom with a grand king-size bed whilst a separate pretty stone annexe can be home to another two guests with its own little rustic terrace.  

Wander through the designer landscaped gardens and admire the glorious scents, bright colours and soothing sounds of your picturesque surroundings. With terraced grounds of olive trees, fragrant herbs, a towering pine, pretty stone steps and a trickling fountain, the ambience is just perfect. At the very end, find the inviting swimming pool and perhaps the pièce de resistance, the spectacular pool house with its vast lounge and kitchen-diner, contemporary shower room and stunning terrace with barbecue for poolside dining at its best.

Just 2.5km away is a much-loved perched village so typical of this region with narrow lanes, historic houses and terrace cafes alongside upmarket restaurants. This characterful village has attracted artists and writers over the many years and its panoramic views are sure to inspire you.   

There are many other idyllic villages to explore, from Fayence and Seillans, one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’, to Picasso’s beloved Mougins near the coast. Learn all about France’s perfume heritage in nearby Grasse, visit the historic market town of Valbonne on a Friday morning or head further inland to the magnificent landscapes around Gourdon and the Gorges du Loup.

Then there’s hiking, horse-riding and summer watersports around Lac de Saint-Cassien, only 12km away, as well as the sandy shores of the French Riviera with Cannes around half an hour by car and the beauty of Antibes and its peninsular just a little further. You really can experience both mer et montagne in this wonderful part of southern France.

For a group of friends or families holidaying at the same time, the owner's other house Le Petit Prince (10 guests) is around a 4-minute walk away.

Villa De La Magie is set on a terraced hillside on the edge of a beautiful village, close to the idyllic town of Grasse and just half an hour from the glorious French Riviera beaches near Cannes.

The local village, perched further up the hill around 2.5km away (keen hikers can reach it in about half an hour), is a charming place with narrow lanes filled with fragrant flowers, picturesque café terraces, excellent restaurants as well as the most extraordinary views of the Côte d'Azur hinterland. Artists have been inspired by this village for years and you will be able to visit little studios that create artisan crafts.  

From your doorstep there are wonderful walking trails and many cycling opportunities whether rambling by local canals or heading towards Lac de Saint-Cassien and the Tanneron forests, around 12km away, where there are numerous marked paths as well as summer watersports, other outdoor pursuits and lakeside beaches.

Other idyllic perched villages dotted across the beautiful landscapes include Spéracèdes, Fayence, Callian and one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’, Seillans, about 30km away. As you follow the winding roads, pass olive groves, oaks and cypress trees and take in the panoramic views all around you.

Of course, Grasse (7km) is just a short drive away, a wonderful town famed for its perfume heritage and beauty. As well as visiting the Musée International de la Parfumerie, you can also step inside many of the perfume studios or factories in and around Grasse such as Galimard and Fragonard. Aside from the fragrances of the town, Grasse has some delightful restaurants and cafes, the impressive Cathedrale-Notre-Dame-du-Puy as well as local produce or flower markets nearly every morning.

Other wonderful places in the Côte d'Azur hinterland include the historic market town of Valbonne (15km), the hilltop town of Biot (30km) and flower-filled Mougins (14km), known for its gastronomy as well as artistic vibe.

The Valmasque forest is another fantastic area for walking with trails for a variety of abilities whilst golf-lovers can choose from a number of courses across this area including the prestigious Royal Mougins Golf Resort and Cannes Mougins Golf Country Club.

The beaches of the French Riviera are never too far away whether you are looking to experience the glamour of Cannes (20km) with its palm-fringed sandy shores or the dramatic beauty and idyllic bays of the Cap d'Antibes. Antibes itself is a charming old town to visit with its walled historic centre, Picasso museum and super-yacht marina whilst Juan-Les-Pins offers great beaches, vibrant restaurants and a fantastic range of watersports. Boat rides depart from along this part of the Côte d'Azur from whale and dolphin watching to sunset cruises or trips to the tranquil Lérins Islands.

Accommodation

Main House Interiors

Garden Level

-    Living room with fireplace, TV, sound system and doors leading to terrace and gardens
-    Open-plan kitchen-diner, well-equipped with doors leading to al-fresco dining pergola and terrace  
-    Office with laser jet printer
-    WC

Upper Floor

-    Upper entrance
-    Hallway with lounge area
-    Master bedroom with grand king-size double bed and en suite bathroom with terrace
-    Bedroom with king-size double bed and en suite bathroom

Top Floor

-    2 x bedrooms with double bed
-    Bathroom (shared between the two bedrooms)

Two-storey Stone Cottage Interiors

-    Living area and kitchenette with doors leading out to terrace
-    Bedroom with grand king-size double bed and en suite bathroom

Annexe Cottage Interiors

-    Bedroom with king-size double bed and en suite bathroom

Pool House Interiors (at lower end of terraced gardens)

-    Open-plan living-dining room with sofa-bed, TV and sound system
-    Open-plan kitchen, well-equipped
-    Shower room

Outside Grounds

-    Swimming pool (5x11m) with heating (available on request) and safety alarm. Open approximately May to September
-    Pool house’s al-fresco dining terrace and barbecue
-    Pergola for al-fresco dining
-    Terraced gardens
-    Garage with electric car port and space for 3-4 cars
-    Outside parking (3 cars on lower level, 2 cars on upper level)
-    Electric gate (poolside level)

Facilities

-    Wi-Fi
-    Portable air-conditioning (free-standing units remote controlled, in bedrooms only)
-    Heating
-    Fireplace
-    Cable TV (with English-speaking channels)
-    Sound system
-    Laser jet printer
-    Washing machine and dryer
-    Fans in every room