Olive Mill for holiday rentals in Aups, Provence
Outstanding 18th C Olive Mill, River, Waterfalls, 3 Pools
3 Independent Dwellings, Each with Own Sunny Garden & Private Pool (2 are Heated)
1, 2 and 3 Bedroom Accommodation
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Our 18th century Olive Mill faces full south across its own valley. The property has 30 acres of hills, ancient woodlands of pines, oak, & laurel, wildflowers (orchids), herbs (thyme, rosemary, mint, lavender, fennel, marjoram), cherries, plums, apricots, figs and wild asparagus. Olive trees grow by our own river (fishing is possible). The Domain is completely private, but within easy walking distance of the village. The Mill has been restored to provide 3 completely independent dwellings, each with its own private pool set well away from the others. This period property has been lovingly restored by its architect owner, who has preserved its authenticity and original charm. The extensive gardens, the hills and our private valley are perfect for exploring - the river helps make the Olive Mill an unforgettable and unique holiday. You can swim in the series of shallow pools in between the cascades & if you are adventurous you can climb down the cliff to walk behind our 10m waterfa
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| Rental periods | Tower | Cottage | Studio |
| 20 September - 3 October 2008 | £1400 | £1000 | - |
| 4 October - 31 December 2008 | £1000 | £800 | £700 |
| 1 January - 30 April 2009 | £1000 | £850 | |
| 1 - 28 May 2009 | £1200 | £900 | |
| 29 May - 25 June 2009 | £1500 | £1000 | |
| 26 June - 2 July 2009 | £1700 | £1200 | |
| 3 July 2009 - 27 August 2009 | £2000 3 - 9 Jul; £2,400 10 - 27 Aug | £1400 | |
| 28 August - 17 September 2009 | £2000 28 Aug - 3 Sep; £1700 4 - 17 Sep | £1200 | |
| 18 September - 1 October 2009 | 18 - 24 Sep £1700; 25 Sep - 1 Oct £1500 | £1100 | |
| 2 October 2009 - 30 April 2010 | £1200 | £1000 |
Notes on prices
Prices are for the property(s) per week in UK Pounds.
2009 dates for the cottage and studio are Thursday-Thursday - a day earler than those indicated for the Tower House.
You can fly to Nice 110km (66 miles),Toulon/St Tropez airport 100km (60 miles),Marseille 100km (60 miles). Eurostar/ TGV to Avignon.
Thursday/Friday arrivals:travelling is easier,queues at airports shorter, weekend shopping more leisurely. Flights & ferry crossings can be considerably cheaper.
Broadband wifi internet.
Changeover day
Changeover day is Friday in the Tower House, Thursday in the Cottage and Studio.
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Cottage - Own Heated Pool (2 Bedrooms)
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The cottage (sleeps 4) nestles in the side of a south facing hill, with large doors and windows opening east, west onto a grassy garden with mulberry, fig trees and two walled, sunny courtyards with flowering shrubs and herbs (west). The Ground Floor has a sitting room prettily furnished in Provençale style with exposed beams, Provençale furniture and satellite TV, CD and tape player. The adjoining dining room with open plan kitchen leads onto a small courtyard with barbeque, table and chairs. The dining room has a mix of antique Provençale and good quality modern furniture. The kitchen is well equipped with large refrigerator, Siemens electric hob, oven, microwave oven, washing machine, dishwashing machine, toaster, kettle, etc. Two separate stairs lead to the two First Floor bedroom suites, one bedroom with king bed (1m60 wide) and private shower room (shower,toilet & basin). Steep stairs to second bedroom with twin beds and private shower room. Play area: swings. |
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Studio - Own Heated Pool (1 Bedroom)
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The Studio is a restoration of the southernmost part of the 18th century olive mill, with direct access to the grounds overlooking our valley & the hills beyond. It is completely private (own access road), with its own pool to the west of the property. The Main Room is 30 meters square, with an impressive stone vaulted ceiling. It is very comfortably furnished with good quality modern and period furniture, cd player, dvd and tv. Sleeping accommodation is provided for two (very comfortable king bed: 1m60 wide). The Kitchen is south-east facing, with a dining area (table with 2 stools).Fully equipped with small refrigerator, electric hob, small oven, electrical appliances (kettle, toaster, coffee maker), & good quality china, glasses & cutlery. The Shower Room faces south: large shower, basin, water closet, washing machine, ironing board & iron. The Grounds immediately surrounding the studio have been landscaped to provide a grassy terrace with dining furniture. |
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Notes on accommodation
We can lend you a cot, highchair, push chair. The Cottage has a sunny courtyard with BBQ and a leafy garden.
Outside
The Tower House (sleeps 6) was the original dwelling for the large stone olive mill which was built in the 18th century. It faces full south over an enclosed courtyard, overlooking grassy terraces which lead down to the pool. There are extensive views from each window and a panorama east, south, and west from the large roof terrace. The property has been completely restored (using period materials where possible, but incorporating the best modern equipment in the kitchen and bathrooms) and has excellent outdoors facilities: grassy terraces planted with lavender, sage, and irises, with wild mint and rosemary, mature trees for shade, a beautiful pool (10x5 meters) with natural stone surround, barbecue on the roof terrace, swings for children, and unlimited space for all games.
You are welcome at the excellent tennis club next to our property, where you can also reserve for dinner every evening, & for a BBQ on Sundays. The courts are 4-6 euros per hour. Dinner is 14-16 euros.
Coast/Beach
St Tropez is 35 miles to the south; the islands of Hyères can be reached by ferry from Hyères, which is 48 miles south.
Explore the Gorges de Verdon - the extraordinary grand canyon (or ride a canoe down it): 20 miles north.
Even better, go fishing, paddling, swimming in our own river!
Golf
The tennis club next to our property offers introductory lessons in golf: all equipment is provided by the owner, who is a retired sports professor. Cost is 6euros per person for a 3hr lesson (not available in high season, when it can be very hot walking around for 3 hours). There are excellent Golf courses nearby: the Barbaroux Golf course at Brignoles, a Robert Trent Jones Golf course at St-Endreol, the Golf La Fregate. Please contact owner for contact details.
Travel
BA, BMI, Ryan Air & Easyjet flights to Nice (90 mins)/Toulon (60 mins)/Marseille (90 mins) airports; Eurostar/TGV to Avignon (2 hours). Car recommended, but not essential: you can walk to the village (shop, café, restaurants, PO etc).
Distances
1km flat walk along disused railway track to nearest village. 3 miles to nearest town with supermarkets, banks, etc.
Further details
Explore the hills and valley of our property - the olive grove, the herbs and wild flowers, the river, the waterfalls. Go fishing, paddling, swimming in the river. Try to find gold in our river - it won't make you a fortune but it's fun to find a grain or two (we did)! Choose from an endless number of walks in the unspoiled countryside all around, starting from your doorstep. Antique and bric-a-brac hunting at Salernes, Tignac, Tourtour. Visit the castle at Entrecasteaux. Picnic in the chestnut forests outside lovely Collobrières. Go wine-tasting at the local vineyards. Day trips to Monte Carlo, Nice, Cannes, Aix, Hyères (the islands), even Italy. Children like to make a list of all the animals and insects they see, sometimes keeping a diary with drawings, lists, leaves and petals to remind them of Provence.
Booking notes
25% deposit required upon booking, balance & security deposit due 8 weeks before start of holiday.
Guest comments
'Many thanks for letting us share a piece of Eden. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Tower House, especially the roof terrace and the river! It has certainly hit the upper end of our holiday experiences! Thank you again for your help in giving us a relaxing, comfortable, peaceful & very memorable holiday.' Melanie (Guernsey, Chanel Islands)
"The holiday was a lot more than I could have imagined, I was just remembering the view from the pool of the mountains, it was so stunning. I really can't think of any thing you can do to improve on the property’ Alan,Aberdeen
"We had a wonderful holiday and the Olive Mill received the unanimous vote as our favourite part of the holiday. The Tower House was superb, we had perfect weather & loved the region. You are to be congratulated for the generous way you have provided everything - particularly in the kitchen. We certainly would love to return’ Julie, Australia.
For booking and further information
The Owner
Tel: (France) + 33 4 94 38 72 33
Email: Click here
Owners Website: Click here
International Dialling Access Codes:
From Europe dial 00 in place of +
From USA dial 011 in place of +
If phoning from outside Europe or USA please consult your telephone directory for international dialling access codes.
This advertiser joined Owners Direct in October 2006,
and has advertised this property with us since October 2006.
Property Ref FR1547
When contacting the owner please mention that you saw this property on Owners Direct Website.