This house and guesthouse are new to VRBO but have been advertised on other sites (see www.provencemagique.com for reviews and details) and rented continuously since 1993. Both properties are always rented together. Over nearly 30 years, the properties have been constantly upgraded attracting many very positive reviews and repeat bookings.
Secluded and set in several acres of its own land, the 200 year-old farmhouse is a short walk to medieval Seillans, one of the 134 "prettiest villages of France”, where Max Ernst once lived with Dorothea Tanning (there’s a sculpture of his in the village), and Bruce Chatwin died in the château, which then belonged to Shirley Conran.
A perennial stream, which powered the original mill, flows below the house, alongside the newly (2023) refurbished guest house ('Cabanon') featuring original windows by one-time owner American sculptor Mitzi Cunliffe, (best known for designing the BAFTA trophy!).
The whole property (elevation: 500 m.) slopes towards the village affording stunning views from the house and the pool.
FARMHOUSE. The main house can sleep 11 people in 6 bedrooms. It has a large dining/sitting room, a well-equipped kitchen, three full bathrooms and a shower-room with WC. The kitchen has a new cooker, washing-machine and dish washer, and a shelf full of cookery books to inspire you.
TV is available. The bedroom on the top floor is a living space in itself with air-conditioning. Apart from a large double-bed, it has its own marble bathroom with basin in one corner, and a huge bookcase full of the sort of books you might want to read by the pool or even in the bath. The master bedroom also has direct access to the garden. A smaller single bedroom suitable for a child or infant is just across the landing, and there is an adjoining shower-room with WC.
On the middle floor, there are two other double bedrooms (with en-suite bathroom) and a smaller bedroom with double-bed. These bedrooms also have direct access to the garden. On the ground floor, which has the kitchen and dining-drawing room, there is a further small bedroom with en-suite full bathroom. The house is fully furnished with antique furniture throughout - no IKEA here! - and there is eclectic art on the walls. Fine bed linen and towels are provided.
GUESTHOUSE. Just below the farmhouse is the refurbished guesthouse with two double bedrooms, two bathrooms and a kitchenette. The guesthouse is air-conditioned.
Near both houses there are lots of spaces for meals, and many recreational (and romantic!) spots. There is a 5 X 12-metre oval pool with large stone surround, and a Raj tent for when the sun gets too hot. There are two portable ping-pong tables available.
There are two large patios with huge tables, perfect for long alfresco lunches and dinners, and there is a Weber barbecue. The garden is made up of walled terraces, oleander and rose bushes, groves of fruit trees (olives, cherries, figs, apples, pears, plums, hazel-nuts, walnuts), and a very large paddock. The property offers a rare combination of total seclusion, but short, easy and car-free access to the village along one of the paths through the grounds.
