Villa Esterel

Villa Esterel has a beautiful setting with lovely views over the surrounding countryside towards the Esterel hills but also just a leisurely stroll downhill to the charming village of Opio, just 2km away (and uphill on the way back!).

Surrounded by olive groves as well as jasmine and roses, grown here for the perfumeries in Grasse, Opio is a beautiful hilltop village with a selection of restaurants, nice grocery stores and a supermarket as well as a bakery for your morning pastries. Be sure to try the local olive oil which is sold at the village’s own 15th century mill which is still operating.

This area is a golf-lovers paradise with two courses within 7km, including the beautiful Golf Opio Valbonne, as well as Golf de Biot (17km) and the famous Royal Mougins (13km) within a short drive.

Other idyllic villages surround you such as Châteauneuf de Grasse (3km), Valbonne (7km), Mougins (12km) and Biot (16km), not forgetting the wonderful town of Grasse (5km). Known for its perfume heritage and vivid fields of lavender, it sits within the stunning backdrop of cascading hills and vast vineyards, olive groves and winding rivers. Be sure to visit on market day to pick up some wonderful produce.

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 the nearby Plateau de la Saree (4km) to water-sports and waterparks along the coast near Antibes (22km). 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.

The stylish and chic city of Cannes (18km) is just a short drive where you can experience the splendour of La Croisette, the glamourous promenade as well as its many beaches and vibrant nightclubs. A little further south at Théoule-sur-Mer (30km), enjoy the beautiful beach with its wonderful red cliffs.

Not forgetting beautiful Nice (37km), especially the maze of narrow streets in the old town. A little further in Villefranche-sur-Mer (44km) you can walk up to the stunning Saint Jean Cap Ferrat peninsula, an unmissable day out.

Alternatively, head even further inland to the rugged interior and enjoy spectacular views of the whole riviera from Gourdon (10km). Swim from the rocks in Gorges du Loup (10km) or head to wonderful Caussols (20km) where you will find an observatory in this spectacular location.

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.