After resigning ourselves to the fact we weren't going to France this year, we had a moment of clarity (?!) and booked this morning!

We are flying in to Nice and looking for suggestions for a small rental. I've searched the archives and reviews and already have a few e-mail inquiries out there.

We've traveled a lot in France, but not in the Var region. We're looking for a nice, modest rental. The two musts are a real bed and some kind of outdoor living space (terrace, patio, lawn, etc.). Can be in-town or on the edge of village/town. We are not seeking night life or "be seen here" spots. Just living the day the French way. We love interacting with the French as much as possible.

Any suggestions? Merci en avance!

Laura

Are you looking for seaside or a more country setting?

This rental is not in the Var. St Jeannet is a very nice village perché north of Antibes, not far from Tourrette sur Loup. Several times we passed by the building and admired it, but we die not see the interior. The hiking around the area is great.
Here is a description of St Jeannet.

We are looking for a countryside perch!

Thanks, Americana, for the link.

Laura

Laura, I'm so glad that you are going to get to go to France this year after all! And I like your plan of staying in the countryside in the Var. The little I've seen of this area, it really appeals to me too.

A couple of ideas, based on mental notes I've made for myself:

A year or so ago I had a chance to spend a day in the tiny village of Moissac-Bellevue. Some friends invited me to join them for lunch at the home of a French friend. It was a wonderful experience and the tiny village was exquisite-- and with spectacular views. It is not far from the Gorges du Verdon.

For our long stay in Provence a few years ago I seriously considered a rental in Salernes. This seems to be a real town, like you describe. (I can't find the link to the rental anymore though.)

In that same area, Entrecasteaux is another village in the Var that has interested me, though I've just had a glimpse of it and haven't stopped.

I also looked in my coffee table books, The Most Beautiful Villages of Provence and The Most Beautiful Country Towns of Provence. These are the villages the book includes in the countryside of the Var: Ampus, Bargemon, Cotignac (love the photos of this one), Entrecasteaux, Les Arcs-sur-Argens, Seillans, Tourtour, Trigance, Villecroze. The only Var town in the "Beautiful Towns" book is Hyeres. The Provenceweb site (some inks above) is an excellent resource to learn more about villages and towns in Provence.

This article has some good information.

I can't wait to hear more as your trip plans develop.

Kathy

Congratulation! It sounds like fun already and I'm envious.

I looked through my bookmark and found a couple of places that I noted when we were looking for a rental. I have not seen any of these. We wanted something more towards Menton so I only have a couple that are more towards Var.

Rental in Pegormas above Grasse and Cannes
Rental in Mougins
Moulin Des Oliviers (okay this is rather funky staying in a real mill)
1 Place Frederic Mistral - Mons

I would also try some of the bigger agencies such as Chez Nous.

Kathy's post reminded me that we did spend a little time (pre-slow trav days) in the area. We drove from Castellane through the Var to around Hyeres and back to Nice along the coast. We spent two nights in the town of Aups which we enjoyed. We only had a chance to drive by the villages around the area (Cotignac, etc) but they did look very interesting.

Thank you both! My "mouse hand" is hurting from all the research (part of the joy, actually). We know we are really late in looking and many recommended rentals are already booked. We wanted to stay in "Marta's" Madeline, booked. The funky mill - booked. The Mougins rental, booked! Kathy's links gave me many spots to bookmark and check out later with a glass of wine! The only thing we know for sure is the last few days(outside of the weekly rental period) will be spent at Kevin Widrow's - he had one last room!

Laura

Laura, when is your trip?

Kathy

Here's an interesting looking rental in Cotignac. I have used the www.gite.com website to find good rent-by-owner places in France.

Laura, have you looked at the rent-by-owner site French Connections? I did a search on one bedroom rentals in the Var and here's the list.

Kathy

Kathy,

We arrive the 20th of June and return home on the 8th of July. Assuming rentals are Sat/Sat or Sun/Sun we will head to St. Saturnin for the "balance" of days.

Thank you for your continued help. My husband - who is working just as hard as I am on this - just walked through and when I exclamed there were more leads on the slowtrav message, he said, "Whoa, your peeps are working overtime!" It made me smile and it also made me remember why I love this community. You all are working overtime to help me, and MANY others. Every one who posts -for any question - really is helping the travel-planner more than any book or travel agent could ever do!

Thank you!

Laura

Laura, we are there in May, so I'm sorry we won't overlap, but... you will be in the Luberon during the peak lavender time. We did a drive to Sault about that time two years ago, taking the small road up through Lagarde d'Apt. I've got photos of that drive posted here. Lucky you!

And thanks on behalf of several of us for your very kind comments. The fun of helping others is sharing vicariously in their trip. I'm really excited about you having a chance to enjoy a week in the Var. Please do post back and let us know where you've decided to stay. I look forward to continuing to travel along with you!

Kathy

Hey Chacha -

Well you can see I've got my internet back up and running ! And much catching up to do on slowtrav...

Two thoughts on the Var -

Kathy's quite right that the area around Salernes/Catignac/Aups is lovely. Easy access from there to the Gorge du Veron, Moustiers and lavender fields around Valensole - also the Abbey du Thoronet (which is not to be missed).

Another idea is the village of Collobrières right in the heart of the Maures Massif. It's a beautiful little town and famous for everything to do with chestnuts. And from there, it's very easy to get to the coast - the part that's more relaxed and the Cote d'Azur. Day trips to the Island of Porquerolles, Cassis and the Calanque are easily doable.

Sorry though, can't help with accommodations as we've only ever just gone for the day.

-Kevin

Thanks everyone! We're trying hard to find something in Cotignac, or that general area. We have several e-mails out there...just waiting!

I am adding the Abbey du Thoronet to the list!

Laura

Laura - check out the Slow Travel article on the Cistercian Abbeys. I didn't see this until we returned from our trip. We made it to Abbaye de Senanque although the lavender beds were being replanted when we there in Oct 2007.

Thanks, Marta. That's homework for tonight!

We made it to the Abbey de Senanque a few years ago. We were staying for 5 weeks, so when we went to visit and the lavender was barely blooming we decided we must go back. We did, on a perfectly perfect day. It was magical!

Laura

...and the decision is - Cotignac! We found an apartment in town that looks like it will be a great location. Thanks everyone for your help and direction.

Laura