La Chesnaie

In the Pays de Fayence region of the French Riviera hinterland, La Chesnaie is 3km from the pretty village of Callian, a short drive from Lac de Saint-Cassien and just under an hour from Nice Airport.

The holiday home is set within an attractive estate of villas surrounded by forest. There are wonderful hiking opportunities close to the villa – within half an hour you can be walking near the Siagne River with its rich biodiversity and beautiful scenery.

Callian (3km) is a short drive away – pick up fresh bread from the bakery on the edge of the village and lose yourself in the warren of narrow flower-filled lanes. Come across a small handful of restaurants in charming surroundings as well as little shops and art galleries. There is a Vival grocery store in the village whilst larger supermarkets are around a 6km drive away in the valley below.

Montauroux (3.5km) is another perched village of the region, famed for its associations with Christian Dior who so loved the Mediterranean scents. The village hosts a lovely market on a Tuesday morning and it’s a joy to explore on any day of the week with its medieval streets, pretty squares and fountains. It is also the gateway to Lac de Saint-Cassien (10km), a magnificent lake which is a paradise for bird-watchers and nature enthusiasts. A wealth of seasonal outdoor activities can be enjoyed from fishing, mountain biking, hiking and horse-riding to lakeside picnics, swimming, kayaking, pedalo hire and paddle-boarding.

Follow the winding road north-east towards Saint-Cézaire-sur-Siagne (13km) for more medieval charm and incredible views – the caves are also worth visiting. Heading west instead, Fayence (10km) hosts fantastic markets and is a gorgeous place for a spot of lunch whilst Seillans (16km) is classified as one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’. Pass more enchanting landscapes as you drive to Grasse (26km), known for its perfume heritage and impressive cathedral.

The glistening Côte d’Azur is of course a wonderful day out. Experience the chic seaside town of Saint-Raphaël (35km), enjoy watersports on the glorious beach in Fréjus (35km), admire idyllic vistas from a pretty bay near Théoule-sur-Mer (36km) or soak up the glamour of Cannes (40km) as you stroll along the famous La Croisette boulevard and relax on palm-fringed beaches. 

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.