Villa Manisa

The rocky terraced garden is pure Provence with lavender, oleander, olive trees, mimosa and cypress, and a lovely knobbly old mulberry tree for summer shade. French doors lead to the kitchen patio and barbecue which sit in the shade of a vine; up steps to the dining terrace – a delightful spot to watch the sun set – shaded by rambling roses and wisteria and with fine views over forested hills. Pots brim with colour all around, the boules pitch is nicely separate, the pool ever-tempting, and the house is furnished in pleasing, practical taste without ostentation. The roomy kitchen has all a holiday cook might need; the big dining/living room area and the bedrooms are light, uncluttered and palely decorated and the master bedroom has its own terrace. Seillans is highly arty – Max Ernst lived here – with galleries and studios galore and several good eating places. Or you can go walking, white-water rafting, canyoning in the spectacular Gorges du Verdon; swimming, fishing, pedal-boating on St Cassien Lake; drive to Sainte-Maxime and the coast and take the ferry to Saint-Tropez… And so many vineyards to explore.