Mas de la Pierre is for those longing for the charm of Provence on the French Riviera. This enchanting 19th century farmhouse offers character and authenticity with wonderful views yet is only half an hour from the glorious beaches and glamour of Cannes. This traditional farmhouse was originally built around 200 years ago, made from local stone in a superb hillside setting. The mas has been sensitively restored, offering five comfortable bedrooms including three with king-size beds and a master bedroom with an en suite bathroom. Air-conditioning has been added to the bedrooms and living area, there are other modern features such as Wi-Fi and lots to keep you entertained from board games and DVDs to table tennis and swing ball outside. You can tell the owners are keen cooks by their beautifully equipped kitchen, a joy for guests or you could even hire a chef! The sight of the vivid bougainvillea against the traditional stone house is just stunning in the summer and provides welcome shade on the sunny terrace when enjoying lingering lunches by the barbecue, sipping local rose and gazing out at the verdant valley view. Listen to the gentle sound of the river and waterfall below, hear the frogs chirping on the small canal just behind the home and watch bees and butterflies dance between the jasmine and lavender in the beautiful gardens. As the sun downs for the day, play a game of boules as the birds sing followed by the sounds of crickets on idyllic summer evenings. Wander down the steps of the terraced gardens and discover the heated swimming pool, sensitively designed with a natural stone finish to harmonise with the traditional surroundings. Pick herbs from the garden to use alongside wonderful fresh produce from local markets, admire the scent of the honeysuckle and look out towards vistas of cypress trees, olive groves and rolling hills. The scents and sights are of archetypal Provence yet you are so near the incredible Cote dAzur with Cannes, Antibes and even Nice within striking distance. Beautiful beaches, wild watersports and exciting excursions by boat await you alongside historic coastal towns and a taste of the glitz and glamour of the Riviera. Closer to home, the idyllic town of Grasse is just a ten-minute drive where you can wander through the old town, dine at some wonderful restaurants and visit one of the famous perfume factories with scents made from local flowers harvested in surrounding fields. Other pretty places to visit include nearby Cabris with its Michelin starred restaurants, the market town of Valbonne and the perched village of Opio with its excellent olive mill. Mas de la Pierre is a fine family home offering you the very best of southern France near some of the regions most wonderful landscapes, villages and towns, both in the spectacular hinterland as well as along the dazzling coast. #### Features Villa Interiors Ground Floor - Living room with open fireplace and doors leading to terrace - Dining area - Kitchen, well-equipped including large gas-range, two electric ovens and dishwasher - Access (via terrace) to outside studio with shower and WC First Floor - Master bedroom with king-size double bed and en suite bathroom with bath, overhead shower and WC - Bedroom 2 with king-size double bed - Family bathroom with bath, shower, WC and washing machine/dryer Second Floor (some rooms have low ceilings) - Bedroom 3 with king-size double bed - Bedroom 4 with double bed - Bedroom 5 with twin/double bed - Bathroom with hip-bath and WC Outside Grounds - Heated swimming pool (11mx3m, depth: 1.4m). Heated approximately May to end-September, depending on weather. Features safety alarm - Al-fresco dining and lounge area - BBQ - Sunloungers - Terraced gardens/grounds on various levels (including open terraces) - Boules court - Table tennis - Swing ball - Small canal (in the land backing on to the villa) Facilities - Reversible air-conditioning (bedrooms and living area) - Underfloor heating (downstairs) - Radiators (in bathrooms) - TV - DVD player and DVDs - HDMI cable - Board games - Washing machine and dryer #### Location Mas De La Pierre is in a glorious location in a valley just a short drive from the delightful town of Grasse and only 20km from Cannes and the French Riviera. Listen out for the sound of the river and its waterfall just below the house in this wonderful setting. Just 2-3km away there is a small village with a row of useful shops, including a supermarket as well as a quirky place selling takeaway pizza. Within a 15-minute drive you will find a good range of restaurants, including a couple of Michelin star establishments in the charming hilltop village of Cabris (5km). There are also many excellent restaurants to be found in nearby Grasse (7km). The historic town is so beautiful with picturesque streets and buildings, idyllic squares, cooling fountains and winding lanes. It is the perfume capital of France so a visit to one of the perfume factories is a must when staying in this area. You can also visit local olive oil producers and sample wine at nearby vineyards of course! Its just a 20km drive down to the beaches of the Cote dAzur with Cannes, Juan-les-Pins and Antibes half an hour away and further great stretches of coast in Theoule-sur-Mer (25km) and as far as Nice, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and Beaulieu-sur-Mer, all around an hour away. Explore the French Riviera by boat or take an excursion to the unspoilt Mediterranean islands, Iles de Lerins. From Cannes you can also take summer boats as far as Monaco or Saint-Tropez for a spectacular day out. This region offers wonderful walking; there is a small canal just behind the house which is ideal for a pleasant walk or you can discover many other trails, some suitable for families, others for more experienced hikers. There are also great cycling routes in the area and if you prefer running, the local roads can be very quiet. Across the French Riviera there are a number of golf clubs, including the well-known Royal Mougins Golf Resort (15km), tennis courts are within easy reach and there is a variety of excellent watersports at the beaches along this part of the Cote dAzur. Families will also love the waterparks, summer fairgrounds and farms that are dotted around this area, especially close to Antibes. Explore idyllic hilltop towns such as Gourdon (17km), Valbonne (14km) and Opio (12km) or travel further west towards the market town of Vence (26km) with its chapel created by Henri Matisse, St Paul de Vence (27km) with its excellent modern art museum and Tourrettes-sur-Loup (20km) with its lovely artisan studios and weekly market. Indeed, almost every day you can discover a wonderful market whether in a tiny village or larger town, selling amazing seasonal and local produce.