Fresia I

Both Fresia I and Fresia II are set in a holiday resort just a couple of minutes' drive from a charming hilltop village in the Var department of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, 30km from the dreamy beaches of the French Riviera.

The nearest village, which can be reached on foot via an unpaved road or by car in just a few minutes, boasts a bakery, a couple of restaurants, bar and café as well as a handful of lovely shops. It’s full of character with pretty winding lanes leading up to a medieval castle and wonderful views out over the surrounding forested hills. There are some stunning hikes leading from the village, both in the Var department and up towards the incredible Alpes-Maritimes region and cycling is another popular pastime (bike hire is available at the resort).

Other wonderful hilltop villages nearby include Montauroux (4km), perched in the hills, with its street market on a Tuesday, Fayence (7km) with its charming streets, beautiful cafés plus a weekly Farmer’s market selling all sorts of local delights and Seillans (12km), one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’ where you can explore cobbled lanes, sit in terraces shaded by beautiful plane trees, discover ancient fountains and gaze at amazing views. In this region, every day you will be able to find a local village hosting a market where you can truly soak up the idyllic ambience of this breath-taking region.

There are some great watersports at the nearby Lac de Saint Cassien (16km) such as pedaloes, rowing boats or just perfect picnic spots where you can swim in the lake. You are also not so far from some of the French Riviera’s finest beaches with the coastline around Mandelieu-La Napoule, Saint-Raphaël, Cannes and Théoule-sur-Mer only forty minutes away or so.

Indeed, the fashionable city of Cannes (40km) is a great day out; walk along the city promenade, La Croisette, and admire the glamour that surrounds you. The city has a brilliant nightlife, some superb restaurants and a great choice of lovely sandy beaches, both public and private.

The perfume capital of the world, Grasse (25km), is also just over half an hour away whilst inland the rugged interior offers magical places such as  Gourdon (38km), Gorges du Loup (36km) where you can swim from the rocks or Caussols (35km) you will find an observatory in this stuning location. The Gorges du Verdon (88km) are one of France’s greatest ‘must see wonders’ and a stunning day trip.

For a truly special experience there is a Gliding school in nearby Fayence, voted by Conde Nast Traveller to be the best gliding in the world! For a slightly lazier day, golf-lovers will appreciate the world-renowned Terre Blanche Golf (8km) just a short drive away.

Read more about Grasse

Fall in love with Grasse and its surrounding villages as you experience the Côte d’Azur hinterland staying in one of our handpicked villa rentals in and around Grasse. Pass lavender, jasmine, roses and flower farms as you drive into the hills of the Provence-Alpes-Maritime – no wonder Grasse is known as the ‘perfume capital of France’.

As well as the Museé International de la Parfumerie, visit the perfume houses of Galimard, Molinard and Fragonard for guided tours and even perfume-making workshops. Elsewhere, explore the historic winding lanes and come across artisan shops, café terraces and the impressive Rubens frescoes inside Cathédrale Notre-Dame du Puy de Grasse. There’s a lovely daily flower market at Place aux Aires whilst Place aux Herbes hosts the larger twice-weekly market on a Wednesday and Saturday morning.

A short drive from Grasse, encounter a wealth of picture-perfect villages and beautiful landscapes for walking, hiking, horse-riding and cycling. The perched village of Cabris is especially bucolic with incredible vistas over the Tanneron forest and Lac de Saint-Cassien. There are more glorious views from the small village of Spéracèdes with its pastel-coloured houses and olive trees.

Discover century-old hiking trails through the Siagne valley as well as pretty villages, ancient bridges and idyllic swimming spots. Visit the illuminated caves of stalagmites and stalactites just outside Saint-Cézaire-sur-Siagne before pottering around the authentic village admiring its fountains, café terraces and inviting food shops showcasing goats cheese, honey, olive oil and other products of the region.

South of Grasse, drive to the charming hilltop village of Opio, also famed for its olive oil, and don’t miss the Friday morning market in Valbonne, a very charming town dating back to the 16th century, home to a wonderful town square with pavement cafes and restaurants.

Golf lovers have a great choice of courses in the region including Golf du Claux Amic, once a 17th century hunting estate with stunning views and Golf Grande Bastide just south of Opio as well as prestigious courses close to Mougins and Cannes. As well as endless hiking trails across Grasse’s surroundings, other activities include a range of land and water-based activities in and around Lac de Saint-Cassien, only 15km from Grasse, as well as tree-top adventures and zip-lines with French Riviera views at Riviera Nature just north of the town.