L'Ancien Monastere

About this property

In an enviable position just outside St-Paul-de-Vence, L’Ancien Monastère is a handsome domaine offering a superb standard of accommodation for a large group in the very heart of the magnificent Côte d'Azur.

The set-up of this spacious villa and charming cottage is perfect for an extended family holiday or perhaps a reunion of friends with a range of bedrooms and apartments as well as a superb large living room with a roaring fireplace, central kitchen and wonderful outdoor space to gather together to share special moments.

L’Ancien Monastère has the ambience of a traditional Provençal home yet it was built in the late 20th century cleverly using materials from an old monastery to add character and charm, such as the impressive wood beamed ceilings and reclaimed stone flooring in the living space. Throughout you will find high quality furnishings and bold original art-work, making it a superb place to spend time in great comfort. Each of the villa’s bedrooms and the cottage have pretty terraces where you can find a moments peace in the vast and beautiful grounds.

Enjoy views of the Mediterranean from many of the rooms in the main villa or step outside and be mesmerised by the mountain and sea landscapes around you. Play a game of boules or wander down the enchanting terraced gardens to discover the tennis courts which can be lit up in the evening. The heated swimming pool is surrounded by landscaped lawns where you can lounge in the summer sun and the al-fresco dining terrace with its outdoor kitchen, open fire and bar is an idyllic spot for balmy nights dining by candlelight.

The concierge service is second to none and the owners are willing to

assist with anything their guests may need from wine and champagne in the fridge on arrival, private chefs and restaurant bookings to tennis coaching, sailing lessons and golf reservations. They would also be delighted to assist with tickets for the Cannes Film Festival and arrangements for the Monaco Grand Prix, even arranging helicopter transfers if required.

One of the French Riviera’s most famous villages, St-Paul-de-Vence, is just minutes away with its picturesque cobbled lanes filled with art galleries, cafes and restaurants as well as the well-loved Fondation Maeght, a museum of modern art. Discover Matisse’s incredible chapel in Vence, just a ten-minute drive away or head a few minutes south to the atmospheric market in the old town of Cagnes-sur-Mer.

The marvellous coastline of the Côte d'Azur is within a short drive with great beaches around Cagnes-sur-Mer, Villeneuve-Loubet as well as Antibes and beyond. Nice and Cannes are also magical places to visit so close or head to some of the French Riviera’s idyllic inland villages and towns such as Biot, Opio and Grasse.

L’Ancien Monastère is the perfect oasis from which to discover this incredible region of Côte d'Azur beaches, classic hilltop villages, endless activities and extraordinary landscapes. 

Located in the beautiful Côte d'Azur region, just a 15-minute drive from Nice Airport, L’Ancien Monastère is in a residential setting only 2.5km from the charming village of St-Paul-de-Vence. You can walk to a local boulangerie in around fifteen minutes whilst other shops and restaurants are within a short drive.

St-Paul-de-Vence (2.5km) is one of the most famous villages of the French Riviera and is well known for its narrow cobbled lanes filled with art galleries, lovely shops and atmospheric cafes. The Fondation Maeght museum also attracts visitors, as do the excellent restaurants including the renowned La Colombe D’Or. Make sure you visit when the lovely fruit and vegetable market takes place.

Further north, the town of Vence (5km) is another incredible place to spend some time, especially for the amazing Chapelle Matisse/Chapelle du Rosarie which was created by Henri Matisse himself. You can also experience the town’s historic ambience, delightful restaurants and cafes, more art galleries and markets.

Easily reached from the nearby road connecting Vence to the coast, Cagnes-sur-Mer (4km) also has a wonderful market in its pretty old town and a lovely museum, Les Collettes, which used to be Renoir’s maison. Drive down towards the beach where you will find a lovely promenade with restaurants and a long stretch of coastline with some great watersports.

Beach lovers can also head to the beaches around Villeneuve-Loubet (with its delightful village just inland) and Saint Laurent or south towards Antibes (15km), Cannes (27km) and Théoule-sur-Mer (40km). Some of the beaches around Nice, towards Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat (28km) and Beaulieu-sur-Mer (27km) are also wonderful for a day out by the sea in beautiful surroundings.

Boat trips can be enjoyed from many ports along the Côte d'Azur coastline, visiting towns such as Saint-Tropez, Monaco or the idyllic Sainte-Marguerite Island. You can also drive towards Monaco (40km) and as far as the Italian border with Ventimiglia (59km) under an hour away.

The great city of Nice (18km) is also a brilliant day out or you may prefer to soak up some of the glamour in Cannes (27km).

Heading inland, there are some incredible French Riviera villages to explore such as Tourrettes-sur-Loup (10km) with its artisan craft studios and pretty weekly market as well as Opio (20km) and Biot (14km) or learn all about the perfume heritage in the beautiful town of Grasse (24km) with its lavender fields, olive groves and rolling hills in the surrounding countryside.

There are numerous golf courses across the French Riviera (12 in the area!), the nearest being near Nice and Biot but also the well-known Royal Mougins Golf Course within 30km. For guests who love cycling, this villa is near some of the region’s best cycling routes across the

Côte d'Azur and horse-riding is also a popular pursuit.

Hikers will find some amazing marked trails including great walks between St Paul de Vence and Vence as well as coastal routes and other paths in the rugged interland near Gourdon (27km). You can swim from the rocks in Gorges du Loup, near Gourdon, or visit the enchanting waterfalls.

Accommodation

Up to 23 guests can stay if using the sofa-beds in three of the apartments – please enquire for additional prices.

Villa Interiors (various levels)

-    Large living room with fireplace
-    Dining room
-    Snug
-    Central kitchen, well-equipped
-    Laundry room
-    Guest WCs x 2

Apartment One: bedroom with king-size double, shower room, living-dining room with air-conditioning, double sofa-bed, kitchen area, sun-room and terrace

Apartment Two: bedroom with king-size double, shower room, dressing room, living-dining room with air-conditioning, double sofa-bed, kitchen area and terrace

Apartment Three: bedroom with king-size double, shower room, dressing room, living-dining room with air-conditioning, double sofa-bed, kitchen area and terrace

Apartment Four: bedroom with king-size double, smaller bedroom with single bed, shower room, living-dining room with air-conditioning, kitchen area and terrace

-  Bedroom with king-size bed, air-conditioning, shower room, dressing room and access to terrace
-  Bedroom with king-size bed, air-conditioning, shower room, dressing room and access to terrace

Cottage Interiors

Ground Floor

-    2 x bedrooms with king-size beds and en suite bathrooms

First Floor

-    Living-dining room and kitchen with doors leading to a terrace

Outside Grounds (6500m2)

-    Heated salt-water swimming pool (13mx7m free-form design, depth: 1.5-2.3m). Heated as required to 25C from April to October (other months on request). Safety alarm system  
-    Covered terrace with outdoor kitchen and BBQ
-    Al-fresco bar and lounge
-    Tennis court with floodlights and equipment
-    Boules pitch
-    Terraced gardens
-    Secure video entry
-    Electric gates
-    Ample parking

Facilities

-    Wi-Fi
-    Heating
-    Air-conditioning (in some rooms of the main villa and in the cottage)
-    TV and DVD player
-    Children’s DVDs and books
-    Games
-    Tennis court and equipment
-    Boules pitch
-    Push chair
-    Car seat