Domaine St Joseph
Located deep in the Var countryside, near the mediaeval village of Cotignac, Domaine St Joseph is a private 25 acre estate with two old Provencal farmhouses each with its own swimming pool, and a smaller coachhouse. It offers a peaceful rural retreat, right off the beaten track.
These properties offer a haven of peace and quiet at any time of year. The Var region has the maximum hours of sunshine in the whole of France, ensuring sunny weather for most of the year. Summers are hot, winters mild with blue skies; early springs bring flowers and blossom; and there are stunning long late autumns. This is unspoilt territory with lots of places around to visit. Lac de St. Croix, the Gorges du Verdon and the Abbe de Thoronet are within reach. To the west lie Arles, the Carmargue, and Aix en Provence.
The coast at St. Tropez or Le Lavandou are about an hour's drive away. Cotignac nestles below a huge cliff riddled with caves, and surrounded by chateaux, monasteries, antique shops and galleries. It is a charming and lively village of pantiled houses and narrow winding streets. The main square is lined with plane trees: an ideal setting for shady cafes, craft shops and the colourful weekly market. There are restaurants and bars and the local wines are excellent and inexpensive. An open air theatre, set against the cliff, stages classical music, dance and drama throughout the summer and fetes take place throughout the region. There is a golf course nearby, tennis courts in the village, a Tennis Club at Sillans and water sports at the Gorges du Verdon.
The Domaine St Joseph is situated on a plateau 3 km from Cotignac. This 16thC estate consists of a bastide, occupied by the owners, two farmhouses, each with its own swimming pool, and a converted coachhouse. The two farmhouses are some distance apart and are completely secluded, in their own lush, wild countryside, full of cypress trees, oaks, pines, olive trees, and thyme, rosemary, sage and lavender. They are attractively and comfortably furnished in old provencal style and have all the equipment you will need.
The coachhouse backs on to the courtyard of the owners' house. The properties are all available for rental throughout the year. The atmosphere of Domaine St. Joseph is extremely peaceful, making it a perfect place to relax, read, paint or write. This is a place for those who really want to get away from it all. There are lots of places of interest in the region, and if you want to eat out, there are restaurants in Cotignac a five-ten minute drive away. Equally you could just hide away here and lose track of time! Eileen and her husband are around to help if you need anything, but they will leave you alone if it is isolation you are seeking!
The Farmhouse. The Farmhouse is a traditional old Provencal farmhouse with ancient oak beams, which sleeps up to 8, in four double bedrooms (two upstairs, two down). A private track leads to the property, which is totally private. There are two bathrooms, a living room, dining room, and kitchen with open log fire, split level electric oven and ceramic hob, large refrigerator/freezer and dishwasher. There is also a washing machine and dryer. There are terraces to the east and south, with outside dining furniture and a barbeque. The dining room and the main downstairs bedroom (with separate bathroom with shower, basin and wc) have French windows opening on to the south terrace; while the sitting room has a wood burning stove and French windows to the west. The upstairs bathroom has a bath with shower attachment, basin and wc. Outside there are climbing plants of roses, jasmine, vines and honeysuckle. A path leads down to the pretty swimming pool, set in a secluded spot, in rocky woodland, with sun and shade.
The Valley House. The Valley House is a pretty, light and airy house set in a valley, with olive trees and a large expanse of grass to the front. It is totally private and secluded. There are beautiful views from the terraces to the Monastery, perched on the nearby Bessillon mountain. The house sleeps up to 8, in four bedrooms (two upstairs, two down), with two bathrooms (one with shower, one with bath), living room, dining room and kitchen, equipped with washing machine, dishwasher, large refrigerator/freezer, split level electric oven and ceramic hob. The entrance hall can be used as a separate study. The sitting room and dining rooms each have an open log fire and doors to the terraces. The south terrace runs the entire length of the house and is furnished for outside dining and relaxing, whilst the east terrace, has a barbecue. Outside, the east terrace overlooks the swimming pool with steps leading from the south and east terraces. There is a canopied area by the pool, a terraced garden and climbing plants of wisteria, roses, jasmine and honeysuckle. Note: there are open-tread stairs from the living room, with no banister, which may be unsuitable for young children or those with walking difficulties.
The Coachhouse. The Coachhouse backs on to the owners' home, across a small shady courtyard. It is reached by its own road to the front, which is not overlooked, and has a large outside terrace for dining, with a barbeque, looking out over the countryside. It sleeps 2 plus a child, in two bedrooms (one double, one smaller room), and has a large living room with open log fire, a dining room, kitchen and bathroom with basin, shower and WC. The Coach House is more simply furnished than the other houses, and can be rented on its own or along with one of the houses, as extra accommodation.
2009 price list
| Domaine St Joseph | Board Basis | low | shoulder | mid | high | peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| rest of year | June | Sept | July | August | ||
| The Farmhouse | SC | £955.00 | £1,430.00 | £1,485.00 | £1,855.00 | £2,065.00 |
| The Valley House | SC | £900.00 | £1,380.00 | £1,430.00 | £1,800.00 | £2,015.00 |
| The Coach House | SC | £475.00 | £475.00 | £475.00 | £530.00 | £530.00 |
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