Maison Miel

Lou Mas is just outside the charming and sleepy villa of Spéracèdes. You can stroll into the village (it’s hilly in parts and steep access from the home) where you will find a lovely café-restaurant and local bar, a bakery and a small grocery store. Make sure you try some of the olive oil which is produced in a local mill.

There are some delightful local villages within a short drive such as neighbouring Cabris (3km), perched on the hillside and a popular place for writers and artists past and present and pretty Peymeinade (2km) where there are some lovely walks along the Canal de la Siagne. A little further is wonderful town of Grasse (6km), known for its perfume heritage and amazing fields of lavender. All around this region you have a stunning backdrop of rolling hills, olive groves and vineyards.

From many of these villages you have views down to Lac de Saint-Cassien (16km). It’s only 20-30 minutes by car to the lake where there is carp fishing, canoeing, windsurfing, pedalos, paddle boats and beaches for swimming and picnics. There are also some wonderful hidden trails through the wild landscape.

Head even further inland to the rugged interior and enjoy more spectacular views of the whole riviera from Gourdon (21km). Swim from the rocks in Gorges du Loup (20km) or head north to wonderful Caussols (22km) you will find an observatory in this spectacular location.

Other idyllic villages towards the coast include Opio (14km), Valbonne (17km), Mougins (16km) and Biot (28km), all perfect places to stop off for a leisurely lunch in atmospheric surroundings.

The stylish and chic city of Cannes is around 25km away, oozing splendour from La Croisette, the glamour-drenched promenade, many beaches and yet more vibrant nightclubs, of course famous for its international film festival which runs each year in May.

Mandelieu La Napoule (18km), just a little south-west of Cannes, is an alternative, beautiful cultural hub with a rugged and rocky coastline that drops dramatically into the sea. A little further south at Théoule-sur-Mer (27km), enjoy the beautiful beach with its wonderful red cliffs.

The region offers fantastic opportunities for horse-riding, hiking and cycling as well as a wealth of family-friendly activities, from go-karting and paintballing at Plateau de la Saree (14km) near Grasse to water-sports and waterparks in Antibes (32km) When in Antibes, don’t miss the old town as well as some of the chic bars in Juan-les-Pins just to the south. 

Those who enjoy a day of golf are utterly spoilt for choice in this region, with the Royal Mougins (17km) only 30 minutes away or a choice even nearer at Golf Du Claux Amic Sa (6km) and Golf Grande Bastide (13km) near Opio.

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.