Les Hautes Roches

The countryside around here is called the Massif des Maures where the hills are thickly covered with cork oaks, chestnut trees and umbrella pines. It's a great area for hiking, horse riding and mountain biking.

to a boules tournament at the villa!

Take a day to drive and discover the villages along the coast: Le Lavandou, Bormes les Mimosas, Cavalaire sur Mer... There are some lovely beaches along this coastline, and many cafés and restaurants to choose from for lunch.

Discover this gem of a hilltop village, taking time to stroll its pretty streets and soak up the atmosphere, and stopping for lunch at one of its restaurants.

at the Aqualand water park in Sainte Maxime, or at 'Azur Park' at Port Grimaud with its various rides and attractions for all the family.

The golf course at Domaine de Valcros, about 35 minutes' drive from the house in the direction of La-Londe-les-Maures, has 18 relatively short holes (5275 metres). A little further afield, approximately an hour's drive, the Beauvallon golf club also offers 18 holes, with great views.

Go celebrity spotting and enjoy the high life in this famously chic seaside town. Take a stroll along the pretty waterfront to admire all the fancy boats in the port, then through the narrow streets lined with pastel facades up to the town centre where shopaholics and gastronomes will be in seventh heaven.

Witness the peaceful setting of the Notre-Dame de Clémence monastery at first hand. Dating from the 12th century but now fully restored, visitors can see parts of the monastery, but some are reserved for the monastic community that live here under a vow of silence. Handmade products can be bought on site. It is only about 12km away from the village of Collobrières, but takes about 30 minutes via winding mountain roads through the forest, which make the journey part of the experience!

has been a popular holiday destination since Roman times, and a key feature of the village are the grand 'belle époque' villas dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. You will find a number of cafés and restaurants, and a small open-air theatre where performances are sometimes held in summer.

Laid out in a spiral shape, this pretty medieval village sits on a little hill overlooking the Bay of Pampelonne. Both the buildings and the way of life here are well preserved, giving visitors a flavour of traditional Provence. In the summer, there are many open workshops and arts & crafts on display. The main square, the Place de l'Ormeau, hosts a market every Thursday and Sunday.

Explore the wonderful array of gardens at Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer. As well as Mediterranean flora, there are dedicated areas for plants from other parts of the world, such as the Australian garden, the Chilean garden and so on. In contrast to the formality found in many European gardens, here there is an emphasis on working with nature rather than trying to constrain it. You can wander and discover the different landscapes at your own pace, with or without an audio guide, or you can take a guided tour to get extra insight and information.

Don flippers, mask and snorkel to explore the marine flora and fauna of the coastal waters at close quarters. It is self-guided, but you will follow a designated 'path' with submerged information panels. Free access from June to September, and the starting point is via L’Argentière beach at La Londe-les-Maures.

Head down to the coast at La Londe-les-Maures or Hyères to take a boat across to the Ile de Porquerolles. A National Park, this island boasts beautiful unspoilt white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters, and it is blissfully car-free!

The local village, set in the heart of the Massif des Maures, is a characterful place. It is particularly well known for its 'marrons glacés' (sugared chestnuts) - be sure to try some whilst you're here!

There is a tennis court in the local village of Collobrières - don't forget to pack racquets and balls!

The Jardin de la Gravière in Pierrefeu-du-Var are gardens with a variety of plants reflecting different habitats: aquatic, arid, shady, humid. Or down on the coast, at La Londe-les-Maures, there are tropical gardens and an animal park including a mini-farm for children to see animals at close quarters.

 

The nearest beaches are at La Londe-les-Maures, about half an hour or so away by car. L’Argentière is the main beach, a large sandy bay backed by pine forest, close to amenities and offering water sports. It is also the starting point of an underwater trail. There are a few smaller coves, as well as Plage Miramar, another large beach to the west of the marina, with a lovely pedestrianised promenade. Le Lavandou also has some beautiful beaches, about 45-50 minutes away from the house.