Beautifully Converted Barn with shared use of Pool with Owners
Peaceful Location Overlooking Meadows, a River and Wooded Hills.
Sleeps 4 (2 Bedrooms)
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The "Guardian's Cottage" is a beautifully converted barn on a stunning 18-acre property in an area of outstanding natural beauty. It is located near to the main house but is self-contained, with its own entrance, parking, private terrace and garden. It is not overlooked by the main house nor by any neighbours. There are glorious views over meadows and wooded hillsides down to the river at the edge of the property. Accessible from the property, the river tumbles over a spectacular waterfall. with caves and (cold) swimming. A real adventure. There is the shared use. with the owners, of a solar heated, infinity swimming pool, with its own beach, and well-developed lawns and gardens.
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| Rental Period | Per Night | Per Week | Per Month | Min. Stay (Nights) |
| 30 June 2012 - 1 September 2012 | €950 | 7 |
Changeover day
Changeover day is Saturday unless otherwise arranged with the owners. Arrival not before 4pm and departure not after 10am.
Accommodation
| Bedrooms: | Bedroom 1, large room with a extra large, very comfortable double bed and glass doors leading out to a garden terrace with great views. Bedroom 2, is smallish but easily accommodates twin beds and is light and airy. |
| Bathrooms: | Large Tiled Bathroom with bath, shower in bath with glass door, and basin. Plenty of storage and a hairdryer provided. Separate WC with wash hand basin. |
| Kitchen: | The kitchen is fully equipped with all appliances and equipment: cooker, hob, fridge with freezer, dishwasher, clothes washer, microwave. Rotating clothes line in the garden. |
| Living Rooms: | The living/dining area is open plan with the kitchen. There is a wood burning stove in the sitting area with comfortable chairs for everyone. Patio doors lead directly onto the terrace. The television is in this room. |
| Other: | Outside terrace equipped with dining table, chairs, large sunshade, hammock and deckchairs. The terrace is mostly tiled and shaded by a fig tree and bamboos. There is plenty of sunshine and views over the valley. Two prolific plum trees for late summer. |
| Cleaning/towels/ linen/maid service: |
All bathroom towels, swimming towels and bed linen are provided inclusive of the price. Cleaning is included before you arrive and on departure. Additional maid service can be arranged. Change of linen per week provided. |
| Amenities/Facilities: | hob/stove oven fridge/freezer microwave dishwasher washing machine iron/ironing board satellite tv tv telephone internet access central heating room fans cot high chair barbecue pool heating shared pool |
| Suitability: | pets accepted |
| Location Type: |
Notes on accommodation
Electric central heating and a wood-burning stove in the living area for the winter and early/late season. Room fans provided for all rooms during the summer. There is a television with French channels and Sky in English, a DVD player, a stereo and varied supply of CDs. Internet (Wifi) access. Travel cot and other childrens’ equipment and toys available on request. It should be noted that the landscaping (steep slopes) and the stream running the length of the property could be considered unsuitable for young children (especially toddlers). We have had many staying here and they have had a marvellous time, but constant supervision is wise. The owners have pets, a Labrador and a cat, both of which are very friendly. Your own pets may be allowed by arrangement. No smoking inside please.
Accessibility
The property is not suitable for people with mobility problems. There are too many slopes and steps.
Outside
There is a large tiled terrace with a small garden. plenty of shaded areas as well as sunbathing areas. Deck chairs and a hammock provided for lounging, and a large, comfortable dining table for those necessary outside meals. The view is over the meadows and the valley towards the river. The main house is behind the guest house so there is plenty of privacy for both properties. There is the shared use with the owners of a large spectacular overflow-effect swimming pool which runs into a separate plunge pool. Both pools are protected with a security alarm system which complies with the French law. The pool is very effectively heated by solar power - cool am swims and bath temperature later. The property is 18 acres and previously was a sheep farm. There is plenty of space to explore. A river runs the length of the property, with a beautiful waterfall and lagoon – chilly but fun swimming.
Coast/Beach
The closest beach is 35 minutes away by car and the coast at St Tropez is a 45-minute drive. All the beaches along the 'Var' coastline have soft, clean sand and normally a clear, calm sea. The Gorges of Verdon and the beautiful Lac St Croix are easily reached in about 45 minutes. The coast and the lake have all watersports, and the rivers in the area provide great opportunites for kayaking.
Golf
Barbaroux is the nearest 18 hole golf course and is 15 minutes by car. There are also several other golf courses within a 45 minute drive from the property.
Travel
Marseille and Nice airports are within easy reach and are served by the major airlines, both low-cost and traditional. There are good motorway connections to Brignoles (A8) which is 10 minutes from the property. The closest train stations for the TGV are at Marseille (1 hour) or Aix-en-Provence (40 mins). During July/August there is a Saturday Eurostar to Avignon where car hire is available. Car transport is essential.
Distances
Le Val village is 3 kms away from the property and Carces is 5 kms. You need a car however, as the roads are narrow and not suitable for walking. The closest largest town is Brignoles which is 10 minutes by car.
Further details
The property offers a perfect base for exploring Provence and the Cote d'Azur. The Var offers beautiful landscapes with mountains and hills covered with vineyards, pine forest, olive groves and lavender fields. There are many medieval villages nearby and most have a weekly market. The area has many large and small vineyards where tasting and purchasing can be done. Most outdoor activities are available locally including hiking, climbing, swimming, fishing and watersports on the nearby Lac de St Croix, canyoning in the local gorges, white water rafting in the Gorges du Verdon, and kayaking on the rivers. Le Val and Carces have between them banks and cash machines, a well stocked supermarket, bakers, butchers, chemists, hairdressers and several shops for local produce, home decor and art galleries. During the high season (July/August) village activities abound, and all information about these and other tourist activities are provided on arrival. There are many good restaurants located near at hand and recommendations and information provided on them all. Many internet sites give full details of local activities and attractions to suit your holiday. Links to these sites are provided on request so that you can plan your holiday in advance.
Booking notes
A non-refundable deposit of 20% is payable to confirm required dates. Final payment is six weeks before arrival, and a security deposit of 300 Euros (or equivalent in GBP) on arrival.
Guest comments
'A most idyllic place to holiday, beautiful peaceful setting, we will be back!' “A completely chilled two weeks. We came tired and stressed and very quickly became horizontal.” ‘We have had the most magical honeymoon.' (and then back again with a little one for "another week in paradise") "Oh, what fun we had!"
Owner profile
Enjoying ourselves at a village fete
About the owner
Ken was born in the Highlands of Scotland and moved to work in East Africa after leaving university. Anita was born in Kenya, and we met, married and raised our children there. Ken got a job in Geneva (and Anita also after a while) and so off we went on a very big, new adventure in our lives. We lived in France and commuted to Switzerland for jobs and school for 20 years.
Year purchased: 2000
Why the owner chose a home in this location
We found our little Provencal corner of paradise without even looking! How lucky were we? We were visiting friends here on holiday and, as one does, by chance went to visit “a little sheep farm with lots of water”. We fell in love. We sort of hoped that this property was not available as we had spent 20 years renovating in another part of France and had no intention of moving. But, when you fall in love everything changes, (especially at retirement ages) and within a couple of weeks we were turning sharp corners in our lives and we moved south, put in a cool pool to ensure family and friends visited, totally renovated the house and settled into the Mediterranean way of life very happily.
Unique benefits of the property
In a dry area of France, we have water, water everywhere and a really “cool” pool with its own beach and surrounding gardens and fields. There is a magic and amazing waterfall and its river along one boundary, an irrigation canal right across the middle, and many springs. The buildings nestle against a cliff with ahead of them and all around seven hectares of fields and forest. La Platriere means “the place of the plaster” – which it is; there is a flooded and disused plaster mine beside the drive into the property. There are some tales to tell about that!
For booking and further information
Property Ref FR952
Anita Macleod
Tel: (France) + 33 (0)4 94 86 36 82
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This advertiser joined Owners Direct in January 2006,
and has advertised this property with us since January 2006.
Property Ref FR952
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