Villa Celestine

Villa Celestine is located in the Alpes-Maritimes department of southern France, 12km north of Cannes and just a 5-minute drive from the picturesque market town of Valbonne.

In an attractive semi-residential setting, there is a French restaurant within 800m (lunch and evening meals) or a wider choice of places to eat in historic Valbonne, reached in just under 2km. Valbonne is such a charming little town, famed for its Friday morning market when stall holders sell all sorts of wonderful local produce on Place des Arcades and surrounding streets. Place des Arcades is a gorgeous spot at any time of the week with its terrace cafes, then spend time exploring the rest of the old town coming across historic houses, pretty restaurants and inviting shops along its early 16th century lanes.

Mougins (6km) is another gem which is easily reached from Villa Celestine, a hilltop village known for its associations with Picasso. It’s also home to gastronomic restaurants as well as art galleries and flower-filled lanes. Opio (7km) is worthy of a visit too with its original olive mill, as is gorgeous Biot (12km) and Grasse (12km), the perfume capital of France.

Another great draw of this region is the beaches and towns of the French Riviera. Soak up the glamour of Cannes, around a 20-minute drive away, enjoy its bustling Marché Forville, explore the old quarter and take a boat trip out to the nearby Lérins Islands. Its palm fringed shores are also a joy and there’s a wealth of summer watersports along this part of the coastline.

The old town of Antibes (12km) is full of charm, home to Musée Picasso, whilst there are some stunning walking trails and little bays on the very beautiful Cap d’Antibes. There are yet more sandy shores, watersports, boat trips and beachside restaurants in chic Juan-Les-Pins, a fantastic seaside resort whether you are seeking family-friendly beaches or a vibrant nightlife.

The city of Nice (30km) is another fine day out or continue east to experience Monaco, around an hour away, perhaps stopping off to admire the beauty of Cap Ferrat en route or enjoying a coffee in Beaulieu-sur-Mer or Èze.

Back to the Côte d'Azur hinterland, there are ample golf courses within a short distance including the prestigious Royal Mougins Golf Resort, as well as some wonderful walks from strolls through the gentle Parc de la Valmasque nearby to hikes around Gourdon and the Gorges du Loup, around half an hour away. Art lovers won’t want to miss the contemporary art exhibitions at the Fondation Maeght just outside the idyllic village of St Paul de Vence as well as Matisse’s Chapelle du Rosaire near Vence.

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.