villa_provence_la_motte

03/04/2024

Hi everyone!
I’ve just been sorting out the new brochures that I picked up at the Tourist Office in Le Muy.
It’s my favourite job because it’s so interesting to find the odd new place/activity!
On the other hand, there’s always a couple of stressful questions
1) can I just fit them into the existing filing system? or I do need to buy new files/boxes/pockets
2) if I’m going to change something, do I sort them by location or by type of activity/point of interest?
I’m going to need a beer to help me assess this objectively!

PS - you might want to book 2 weeks next year!

01/04/2024

Was out shopping for big sun umbrellas in Puget this morning and decided to get a sandwich in Port Frejus - probably about 50 cafes there (and many, many more boats!) and most places busy as the sun was beautiful this Easter Monday lunchtime (see photos).
Was planning to head down the main promenade from Frejus to St Raphael but the Easter market blocked my route and limited me to very brief double-parking!
So just 2 more photos!
Will try again tomorrow if I have time!

31/03/2024

Dear all - hope it’s ok to spam you on Easter Sunday but I promised to share a bit more bro on Rosuebrune-sur-Argens, probably my favourite small town within 15 min drive.
After passing the lake (yesterdays post) it’s about 1km to the town.
After crossing a mini-roundabout, turn left in to Parking #5.
Then walk back and cross Avenue du General Charles de Gaule and onto Grande Rue André Cabasse which, ironically, is s very narrow street with lots of cafes and small, interesting shops (a few chocolate/cake shops too - sorry, but it’s Easter!).
Keep walking up the hill and swing round to the left (passing a couple of nice, but simple restaurants).
Eventually right at the top, you’ll reach the main square (Place Alfred Perrin) - on Friday there’s a very small market but with some great food, there’s also a restaurant called Les Templiers which specializes in Couscous, a couple more shops/cafes and an art gallery (with frequent exhibitions) at the far end of the square.
Well worth a visit (photos below).

30/03/2024

I said I’d be going to Roquebrune today (just 15 minutes from us) - but I was so close when I made a return visit to the Notary that I decided to pop in yesterday.
On the way into Roquebrune, there’s a lake (sitting almost underneath the rock itself) with loads of water sports/activities in summer - including boat hire, waterskiing, water slides etc and a cafe and a restaurant too.
You might not believe it based on the photo (taken yesterday and looking muddy after an unusual amount of rain in March ), but it’s a really great place for kids … my older son learnt to water ski there and my daughter has canoed from the base in the river which is just 100m away.
Will come back with another post about Roquebrune itself.

29/03/2024

Quick question.
I’m thinking about buying this swing/seat to create a bit more variety in our outdoor furniture offering.
Big enough for 2 adults / 3 kids.
I am looking for someone (locally) who can cut some material carefully to make an “optional use” shade which will fit on the top part to block out the midday sun.
What do you think?

29/03/2024

Thought you might like a couple of photos from our terrace (taken yesterday).
It’s a really beautiful view of the rock at Rosuebrune (brown rock) with the sun shining onto it.
On a really clear summer afternoon, you can just about see Frejus to the left/east of Roquebrune and you can definitely see the fireworks when there’s a special event.
Tomorrow I will go to the village of Roquebrune itself (one of our favourite places) and share some pics of course.
It was a beautiful day in the end yesterday, despite a damp, cloudy start and looks like today will be exactly the same.
But I’ve got a lot to do … thankfully, Good Friday is not a holiday in France, so I can go and restock my portfolio of brochures at/from the tourist office, pick up a document from the notary and then go and pay an overdue water bill (I guess the direct debit expired).
Also, I’m going to order some extra garden/terrace furniture.
Anyway … time to get busy!

28/03/2024

Just a few words about Draguignan - the biggest town in our local region (within the Var)… around 40,000 population according to Wikipedia, but seems more.

About 15 min drive from our villa - I go there to pay taxes and clarify rental questions with my insurance broker (but often leave more confused, requiring endless follow-up!).

To be fair, the centre is pretty lively with loads of bars/cafes and small, locsl shops.
There’s also bigger chains with standard, cheaper offerings on the edge of Draguignan.
The broker is in the market square (local markets on Wed/Sat) and I counted about 10 places to get a coffee/something better in that single square (see photos - but a bit quiet on a Thursday am).
I normally park in the main, central car park but they seem to change the rules every time I go there … today I had to get a line of 12 Angry (French) Men (did you see the film?) to reverse back from the exit as the combo of my naivety, dubious schoolboy French, bad eyesight and UK debit card jinxed the system!
Eventually, I watched a local lady carefully and got out safely!

There’s a really cool street (rue George Cisson) that leads back from the market square towards the high street with several cafes there too at Place Rene Cassin (more photos) and eventually to the infamous car park (Parking des allées d’Azemar).

Well worth a half-day visit - and conveniently en route to Aups, the lavender fields, Salernes/Villecroze, Cotignac, Sillsns-la-Cascade and many other nearby villages.

Time to sleep!

27/03/2024

Dear all - sorry, I’ve been quiet … just crazily busy.
Anyway, now I’m on my way to our villa in La Motte to make sure everything is ready for our first guests and to organize a couple of projects to ensure all in place and “super-friendly” for a a big family arriving with a 2yo in July and another group with a dog in August!
After an early start 🙁 I’ve just changed trains in Lille from the relative luxury of the 7.04am Eurostar from St Pancras to the no-frills OUIGO to Aix.
In case you’re considering the train, Lille is an easier transfer than Paris (but less options)
It’s just a 10-minute walk from the “newish” Lille-Europe station to the old “Lille Flandres” (see photo) and, with 2 hours of transfer time, I decided to celebrate my birthday with a croque monsieur and a beer at 9.45am(!!) in Kaf, see other photo (opposite Lille Flandres station).
Not as cold as SE England but a bit chilly this morning in Lille!
By the way, my 11yo was in Lille 3 weeks ago for a football/rugby tour - so I thought I’d be using the transfer time to hunt for lost kit, chargers etc … but he managed to bring it all home without help (ole … ole, ole, ole!)

More to come!

19/03/2024

Thinking about going away for (or around) the May half-term holidays?
What about the South of France?

Perhaps you’ll be interested in our wonderful, spacious villa - in the heart of the rosé wine region within Provence.
Amazing views from (private and heated) pool terrace.
4 bedrooms/4 bathrooms - designed for 8 but can accommodate more (if agreed at time of booking) … at the same time, with just two of the bedrooms on the main living floor, it’s suitable/cosy for small groups too.
Huge L-shaped living area with separate dining/lounge/TV sections. Wi-Fi recently upgraded to fibre.
200m2, 6 two-way a/c units.
Several shaded outdoor seating areas - ideal for drinks/dinner/BBQ.
Table-tennis, darts, bikes, some gym equipment also on site.
20 min walk (or 5 min drive/ride) to centre of our village with restaurants/bars, bakery, boule, shops etc.
About 10 wineries, including Whispering Angel, within a 10 min drive (one is walkable).
Countless villages nearby with their own local markets, cafes/restaurants, and sight-seeing/points of interest.
15 min drive to a lake with water sports etc - golf, tennis, horse-riding even closer
30 mins to the coast with a selection of beautiful beaches - and slightly less to other kids entertainment (water-parks, go-karting, amusement parks etc)
45-60 mins by car to Cannes, St Tropez, Nice (and airport), Aix and 90 min to Marseilles (trains also run from nearby station).
Many other points of interest nearby - including Roman antiquities at Fréjus, cliffs at Cotignac, waterfall at Sillans-les-Cascades, perfume factories of Grasse, the Gorges du Verdon plus plus plus
Local information pack to help you explore the area.
Happy to talk if that would help you - or just send me a private message.
Neil

PS - well-behaved dogs welcome (with advance agreement)
PPS - Property SIRET # 95335115200012 (location = La Motte, Var 83920)

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14/03/2024

And one of the pool at night - with a cool video!

14/03/2024

Decided to share with you a few photos of our beautiful pool.
We recently installed a water heater (for the pool), so we can get it to a comfortable swimming temperature from April to end October.
There are plenty of pool accessories, including a volley ball net!
And almost every type of seating you can imagine!

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13/03/2024

Just a quick one today - been busy and it’s late!

Welcome to Trans-en-Provence!
Another village - about the same size as La Motte - and 10-15 mins from our villa.
A nice restaurant (Pastis) in the main square next to the Mayor’s office - there are bars on the square too.
This square has some great evening events in the summer (discos, concerts etc). Look out for info on posters or in Var-Matin newspaper.
Behind the Mayors office there is a great view of the Nartuby river gorge, together with a unique restaurant, La Grotte, which (as its name suggests) is literally a cave!
On the other side of Trans, there is also a huge selection of shops.
Bonnes vacances!

12/03/2024

Today I share a bit of info about the very centre of our village, La Motte.
4 photos attached
1 The Friday market in the central square with just a few stalls but with just about everything you need to eat over the weekend … it’s great to support events like this (9-12 in front of the mayors office).
2-4 The restaurant, Le Bistrot de la Grappe, is at the other end of the square (next to a bakery) … it is under new ownership and they’re doing a great job with tasty food at affordable prices and a friendly village atmosphere … I strongly recommend all our guests to eat there at least once during their stay!
There is also a bar, a take-away pizza, a wine bar/deli and a post office on this tiny central square.
More posts/photos/info about our village in the coming weeks/months.

11/03/2024

Just 5 mins or so from our holiday villa villa_provence_la_motte… Golf and Spa St Endreol.

A really interesting course with plenty of water, quite hilly and tight rather than long - with some great views of course!
There’s a driving range too and the practice putting green is organized to allow you to sharpen up your chipping as well.
There are a couple of “signature” par 3s, including the 8th where you’ll probably have loads of friendly otters watching your tee shot!
For non-golfers (or on the odd rainy spring/autumn day), there’s a beautiful spa (with pool) with all sorts of treatment options.
After 9-18 holes, you can relax on the terrace (bar or restaurant) of the very attractive club-house building while you enjoy wonderful views of the course and the hillside where are our villa is located.

Question - what is the name of the French golfer who threw away a 2-shot lead on the 18th hole in the final round of the British Open?

10/03/2024

One of our favourite trips last October was to Cotignac, a large village sitting underneath an impressive and extensive cliff with caves that were previously inhabited.
With cobbled backstreets and a good selection of cafes/restaurants, it’s well worth a visit.
It’s about one hour by car from our villa, so you might decide to stop for coffee/croissant in one of the the numerous villages en route.
Alternatively, make it a full-day trip and combine Cotignac with one of
- canoeing in Carces
- the regions best street market in Lorgues
- waterfall in Sillans-les-Cascades
- many other options!

09/03/2024

This photo is a great reminder (at least for me!) of
1) how easy it is to travel to Nice by train from our villa
2) a brilliant day out last September with my daughter, her boyfriend and his father at the 2023 Rugby World Cup group stages
3) what a mess the organizers made of serving drinks at the ground!!

Question - who can tell me the final score of the World Cup game in the photo below?

07/03/2024

… and the video!

07/03/2024

Thought I’d share some images of Chateau d’Esclans, the winery where Whispering Angel is produced.
It’s just 5 mins or so by car from our villa.
You’ll see the chateau at the end of the drive and both the exterior and interior of the winery itself (video in the next post).
Seriously impressive and the staff are especially good - ask them about the history of the business.
Question - which conglomerate purchased a minority stake in the business a couple of years ago?

Private message to book our villa.

06/03/2024

One of my favourite spots - a busy location in Aups with 2/3 restaurants just in this tiny square
A very nice village in the Haut-Var (about 1 hour NW from our villa), even the style of cuisine is a bit different - but very tasty!
An ideal place to stop for an early supper on the way back from the Gorges du Verdon and/or the lavender fields … or lunch on market day!
Can anyone name that main dish with potato, bacon and reblochon cheese?

05/03/2024

One of our favourite spots along the beautiful Mediterranean coast between St Aygulf and Les Issambres (Ste Maxime).
Great shade for a picnic lunch and never more than a few metres from a small cove for swimming, sunbathing or exploring rock pools.
… and rarely as busy as you’d expect!

01/03/2024

Hello friends - planning to holiday in a warmer place? We still have some availability most months this year.

A wonderful, spacious villa - in the heart of the rosé wine region within Provence.
Amazing views from (private and heated) pool terrace.
4 bedrooms/4 bathrooms - designed for 8 but can accommodate more (if agreed at time of booking) … at the same time, with just two of the bedrooms on the main living floor, it’s suitable/cosy for small groups too.
Huge L-shaped living area with separate dining/lounge/TV sections. Wi-Fi recently upgraded to fibre.
200m2, 6 two-way a/c units.
Several shaded outdoor seating areas - ideal for drinks/dinner/BBQ.
Table-tennis, darts, bikes, some gym equipment also on site.
20 min walk (or 5 min drive/ride) to centre of our village with restaurants/bars, bakery, boule, shops etc.
About 10 wineries, including Whispering Angel, within a 10 min drive (one is walkable).
Countless villages nearby with their own local markets, cafes/restaurants, and sight-seeing/points of interest.
15 min drive to a lake with water sports etc - golf, tennis, horse-riding even closer
30 mins to the coast with a selection of beautiful beaches - and slightly less to other kids entertainment (water-parks, go-karting, amusement parks etc)
45-60 mins by car to Cannes, St Tropez, Nice (and airport), Aix and 90 min to Marseilles (trains also run from nearby station).
Many other points of interest nearby - including Roman antiquities at Fréjus, cliffs at Cotignac, waterfall at Sillans-les-Cascades, perfume factories of Grasse, the Gorges du Verdon plus plus plus
Local information pack to help you explore the area.
Happy to talk if that would help you or just send me a private message.
Neil Sturrock

PS - well-behaved dogs welcome (with advance agreement)
PPS - Property SIRET # 95335115200012 (location = La Motte, Var 83920)

18/02/2024

New menu at Bistro de la Grappe 🍇

Nouvelle carte au Bistrot de la Grappe 🍇

18/02/2024

This place is right in the central square of La Motte (83920), very friendly, nice food and reasonable prices!
We always propose our guests to eat there!

08/02/2024

It’s time to book your Spring/Summer Holidays!

We propose you our wonderful, spacious villa villa_provence_la_motte - in the heart of the rosé wine region within Provence.
Amazing views from (private and heated) pool terrace.
4 bedrooms/4 bathrooms - designed for 8 but can accommodate more (if agreed at time of booking) … at the same time, with just two of the bedrooms on the main living floor, it’s suitable/cosy for small groups too.
Huge L-shaped living area with separate dining/lounge/TV sections.
200m2, 6 two-way a/c units.
Several shaded outdoor seating areas - ideal for drinks/dinner/BBQ.
Table-tennis, darts, bikes, some gym equipment also on site.
20 min walk (or 5 min drive/ride) to centre of our village with restaurants/bars, bakery, boule, shops etc.
About 10 wineries, including Whispering Angel, within a 10 min drive (one is walkable).
Countless villages nearby with their own local markets, cafes/restaurants, and sight-seeing/points of interest.
15 min drive to a lake with water sports etc - golf, tennis, horse-riding even closer
30 mins to the coast with a selection of beautiful beaches - and slightly less to other kids entertainment (water-parks, go-karting, amusement parks etc)
45-60 mins by car to Cannes, St Tropez, Nice (and airport), Aix and 90 min to Marseilles (trains also run from nearby station).
Many other points of interest nearby - including Roman antiquities at Fréjus, cliffs at Cotignac, waterfall at Sillans-les-Cascades, perfume factories of Grasse, the Gorges du Verdon plus plus plus
Local information pack to help you explore the area.
Happy to talk if that would help you.
Neil

PS - well-behaved dogs welcome (with advance agreement)
PPS - Property SIRET # 95335115200012 (location = La Motte, Var 83920)

03/12/2023

Today we participated in a really great event at Xmas Fair marketing our wonderful villa in La Motte, Provence for holiday rental.
We had great fun running a French cheese-tasting competition with a first-prize of a £750 discount on a 1-week stay.
We will announce/contact the winners either tomorrow or Monday but we can tell you now that the correct answers were
1 Brie (not Camembert!)
2 Roquefort
3 Reblochon (not Brie!)
4 Comte (not Gruyère)
Remember, there will also be 4 runners-up prizes of a bottle of the world/famous Whistling Angel rose wine (the winery is just 5 mins from us).
Follow our page! 😀

05/11/2023

Holiday Villa rental - Provence, France (sleeps 8, 4 bathrooms). Over 200m2, 2 level, plus garage.
• Unique, traditional character ... but modernized
• Amazing views across the valley from pool terrace
• 4 double/twin bedrooms
• Huge L-shaped living/diner/TV room
• Extensive outdoor shaded seating/dining areas
• Covered, outdoor table-tennis
• Set in the heart of the rose wine region
• 5 minute walk to nearest winery
• 5 min drive to La Motte village (restaurants, shops etc)
• 25 min to numerous, wonderful beaches, attractions
• Countless Provençal villages/markets within 15-30 min drive
• 45 mins to St Tropez, 1 hour to Nice, 90 min to Marseilles
• Trains run from nearby station to Nice and Marseilles
• Pool can be heated to end October
For booking details send a private message 😊☀️

21/09/2023

Gorges de Pennafort - 10 mins drive from our villa.

22/05/2023

Nuit des Vignerons 2023, pré-ventes :

A compter du 23 mai, la pré-vente des verres, en vue de la soirée du 3 juin, sera possible à l'accueil de la mairie, au prix de 5 € le ticket.

Règlement en espèces ou chèque bancaire.

Le retrait des verres se fera à l'accueil de la mairie (afin d'éviter les files d'attente).

18/05/2023

The traditional Winegrowers Night will be held on Saturday, June 3, from 6 pm, on Clemenceau Square. Don't miss this annual meeting!

09/05/2023

Our guidebook:

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