Var France Vacation Rentals Presents Listing #4798

La Machotte, beautiful villa near Callas

Villa w/ 5 Bedrooms - 2 Bathrooms - Sleeps 10 w/ Pool

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Vacation Rental Owner/Manager

Vacation Rental Description

Nestled in the hills by the sleepy village of Callas, surrounded by  
lemon and olive groves, La Machotte offers the perfect holiday  
escape with all the simple pleasures of Provence and the glitz and  
glamour of the Cote d’Azur on your doorstep. It is south-facing with  
a large terrace, surrounded by olive and fig trees with beautiful  
views of Callas, perched on the hilltop. 
 
An hour’s drive from Nice airport, La Machotte is situated in the  
Var region awash with picturesque villages, forests and lakes, daily  
markets and a way of life that seems timeless. With a wealth of  
opportunities from exploring the local villages, sampling the riches  
of the Riviera beaches, star spotting in St Tropez, skiing in one of  
the various local resorts, or kayaking in the Gorges du Verdon–  
you’ll never run out of things to do! 
 
Take a leisurely stroll on a country path to market day in Callas  
and you’ll be greeted with an assault of your senses through an  
array of amazing colours and aromas  - the smells of fresh bread,  
chicken cooking on the spit, cheeses – too many to mention, and all  
variety of fruit and vegetables produced in the region. Make sure  
you pick up a straw basket for all your purchases to blend in with  
the locals! 
 
Or of course, you could just choose to relax. With a glass of local  
rose in one hand, a good book in the other, why not soak up the  
sunshine, take a dip in the pool and enjoy the views of Callas from  
the comfort of your sun lounger… 
 
An ideal year round holiday location for family or friends. With an  
indoor and outdoor kitchen, an open fire in the sitting room and  
central heating for the cooler months. Although fully equipped for  
10 people, the house is equally inviting for just 2.

Vacation Rental Amenities

Arranged over two floors, La Machotte makes it an ideal house for  
two families or for groups of friends. It also child friendly with  
facilities for cots, bunk beds for children and security alarm for  
the pool. 
 
The Interior 
--------------------------------- 
 
Ground Floor: 
 
Open Plan Kitchen & breakfast room  
Lounge / Dining Room with real log fire  
Laundry Room  
Larder  
Bathroom – bath and shower  
WC  
1 Double Bedroom  
1 Double Bedroom or child’s room with twin bunk beds 
  
1st Floor: 
 
2 Double Bedrooms  
1 Double Bedroom / Child’s Room with cot  
WC  
Bathroom with double sinks and shower 
 
 
The Exterior 
--------------------------------- 
Ground Floor: 
 
Full length south facing Terrace with shaded awning  
Side terrace with dining space  
Extensive Gardens with hammocks  
Drive – parking for 3 cars  
 
Lower Level: 
 
Outdoor Kitchen and terrace  
Pool (with child alarm)  
Double Garage – storage  
 
 
The Facilities 
--------------------------------- 
 
Linen: 
 
All bedrooms are furnished with linen, blankets and duvets and bath  
towels 
 
Laundry Room: 
 
1 washing machine  
Drying / Hanging Space  
Outside Washing Line 
  
Kitchens: 
 
1 microwave  
2 ovens  
2 Fridge/Freezers  
1 large freezer in laundry room  
2 dishwashers  
Crockery / Cutlery – 20 people  
Gas Barbecue 
  
Pool: 
 
Well proportioned pool (floodlit at night)  
5 Loungers & mattresses  
Table & chairs  
Pool Towels (all supplied)  
2 Large sun shades  
Beautiful panoramic views overlooking Callas village and surrounding  
hillsides  
 
Entertainment: 
 
Wireless/Broadband Internet Access with laptop PC  
TV  
Video Recorder  
DVD Player  
Ipod Speakers

Activities and Attractions

Natural Beauty:  
 
Gorges du Verdon 
 
A well known, spectacular gorge for grand canyon views, hiking, rock  
climbing, kayaking, swimming from the lakeside beaches, etc. The  
Verdon and Nartuby gorges offer climbing and trekking, and the  
canoeing and sailing on Lac Ste Croix - near the Verdon Gorges - is  
splendid. Figanières is a mountain-biking centre and, if you favour  
a walk, try the Caramy gorges between Mazauges and Tourvy. Details  
of these, and other activities, are available at the local tourism  
offices. 
 
Lac St Cassien 
 
This beautiful, wild lake is about 7 km long north-south, with an  
east-west section another 3 km long. With its southern tip adjacent  
to the autoroute, only 12 km west of Cannes, the Lac de St. Cassien  
is easy to get to, but remains in a natural environment. The lake is  
bordered almost completely by forested hills, and the shoreline is  
undeveloped, leaving its beauty for all to enjoy. The D37 road from  
the autoroute (exit Les Adrets) goes north along the eastern shore  
of the lake, and then crosses over to northwest to join the D562  
Grasse-Draguignan road just east of Fayence. Great for fishing,  
water sports and hiking. Les Arbousiers restaurant is a good spot  
with terrace. 
 
Ile de Porquerolles 
 
one of the Iles d’Or, mostly protected as a nature reserve with  
beautiful beaches, plentiful restaurants in the bustling, attractive  
village square and a few small hotels if you fancied to be one of  
the few people able to stay a night. Accessible only by boat, take  
the small ferry from Hyeres/ Giens. 
 
Sillans-la-Cascade 
 
Beautiful walking country, finished with a swim in the scenic  
waterfall. 
 
Scenic Villages: 
 
Châteaudouble, a village grown straight out of the rock to teeter  
theatrically over the gorges. A perfect spot for sunset and dinner. 
 
If scaling the rock to Châteaudouble around lunchtime, don't miss La  
Tour, pl Beausoleil with its Provençal platter and fantastic views.  
There is a bar with a huge terrace next door if all you fancy is an  
early evening drink. It often serves small BBQ snacks.  
 
Tourtour has been described as one of the most beautiful villages of  
France. An old Provençal village with hilltop setting it offers  
magnificent panoramic views. Make for La Table in the Ribas quartier  
(from £26).  
 
Moustiers-Ste-Marie is a lovely village, in a gorgeous setting. It's  
there for tourists, though, so don't expect a "natural" Provencal  
village. A small "train" provides guided tours of the village and  
surrounding points of interest. The village has narrow medieval  
streets and vaulted passages, and becomes more "natural" when you  
get up above the ceramics shops!  
 
The centre piece of the village is the 12th-century Notre-Dame  
church, beautifully restored in 1928. The "crown" of the village is  
the star, suspended high across the Rioul valley by a forged-iron  
chain. The golden star hangs above the Notre-Dame de Beauvoir  
chapel, with the chain fastened into solid rock on each side of the  
gorge. The chain and star project was done as a promise by Sir  
Blacas, a knight who returned from a long captivity during the  
crusades.  
 
Fayence - if you travel along the D562 between Draguignan and  
Grasse, you'll see Fayence perched on a hill top to the north,  
surveying the plains to the south. Fayence was a fortified town and,  
in spite of its size, it has kept the charm of its medieval origins.  
This is a centre for tourists and visitors, with plenty of hotels,  
garages, and shops. It’s markets are held on Tuesday, Thursday and  
Saturday mornings. There is also a fairly regular and famous  
antiques fair - watch out for adverts in local papers or at the  
Tabac in Callas.  
 
Ramatuelle - an ancient village which overlooks beautiful Pampelonne  
Bay, in the gulf of St Tropez. A popular village with many  
restaurants, it's well know for jazz and music festivals. 
 
Grimaud - a hilltop village with fantastic views down to the cost.  
Plenty of restaurants, including hotel Coteau Fleuri’s great food  
year round. 
 
Riviera Chic: 
  
St Tropez, famous the world over. Why not take the small passenger  
ferry (Bateau Vert/Bleu from Ste.Maxime jetty) for a beautiful 15  
minute crossing, avoiding the car journey round the bay and allowing  
you to step off straight the boat onto the harbour front? Once  
there, be sure to explore the back streets and perhaps stop in at  
Pizza Bruno, barely changed since Brigitte Bardot’s day… 
 
Strut on the croisette in Cannes, enjoy the narrow streets of the  
old town, then dine in Christian Willer’s 2 Michelin star Le Palme  
d’Or in the Hotel Martinez. 
 
Monte Carlo - fancy a whirl on the tables? You can take the train  
from Les Arcs if you don’t fancy driving.  
 
Antibes - The natural beauty remains in the vieille ville (old  
town), with the ramparts along the sea and the long, arched  
protective wall along the port. There are plenty of little streets  
for exploring, restaurants of all types and prices, and lots of  
shops, from authentic little general stores to tourist gift shops.  
Antibes is the proper name of this ancient town, but it's commonly  
referred to as Antibes-Juan-les-Pins. The Juan-les-Pins part is a  
seaside resort and night-life area of sandy beaches, boutiques,  
night clubs and casino.  
 
St Paul de Vence - A must for art enthusiasts who will love  
exploring the tiny pedestrian lanes and galleries. You could try to  
get a table at the famous La Colombe d’Or and dine amongst original  
Picassos and ancient murals. 
 
Beaches: 
 
St Aygulf 
 
25 minute drive in the Frejus/St Rafael direction. Best for  
children, a wide beach, flanked by dunes and marshes on the other  
side of the road and with a collection of beach bars and shops at  
one end.  
 
There are many other beaches and beach bars dotted all along the  
coast. Take your pick all the way round to Ste. Maxime and beyond to  
the beach clubs of St. Tropez, including Nikki Beach, Club 55 and  
Pampelonne. 
 
Golf & Skiing:  
 
Golf 
 
Head for Les Domaines de St Endréol at La Motte-en-Provence (fees  
£48) or the equally challenging Four Seasons courses at Tourrettes,  
near Fayence (fees from £64). Roquebrune’s course is also popular.  
 
Skiing 
 
Either go through the Gorges du Verdon on a picturesque but windy  
two hour drive to the Val d’Allos region (particularly Allos 1400 or  
Le Seignus 1500 with lifts all the way up to 2150), or cruise down  
the motorway to the more well known resorts above Nice (Auron, Isola  
2000 etc.) 
 
Fine Dining & Vineyards:  
 
Hostellerie les Gorges de Pennafort near Callas on the D25 (menus  
from £35), a glorious old establishment with sun-filled  
haute cuisine. 
 
Château de Berne, near Lorgues, is a private residence on a refined  
luxury estate with Michelin Guide red book status. Enjoy a taste of  
the wine grower’s lifestyle, either on the pergola shaded terrace or  
in the rustic dining room. There are also regular cooking and wine  
appreciation courses and music evenings.  
 
La Bastide Saint-Antoine, 48 Av. Henri Dunant, Grasse. Dine in this  
elegant Provencal manor house with two Michelin stars for Jacques  
Chibois’ organic cuisine. A real treat but with prices to match. 
 
Moulin de Mougins, Mougins, a fabulous restaurant in a sixteenth  
century mill, in the small art and gastronomy dominated village of  
Mougins, overlooking Cannes. Michelin star food carefully prepared  
by Alain Llorcs, said to be the most avant-garde food in Provence. 
 
Chez Bruno, Campagne Mariette, Lorgues. One for the truffle lover.  
Set in Clement Bruno’s grandmother’s eighteenth century farmhouse. 
 
Hotel des Deux Rocs, Seillans- classic Provencal food in this  
beautiful ancient village, looking towards the remnants of a twelfth  
century fort.  
 
Club 55 – a St Tropez favourite for the rich and famous. 
 
Smack in the middle of the village of Correns, the Auberge du Parc  
on pl Général-de-Gaulle (from £22) gives Provençal fare an Italian  
accent.  
 
Then you'll come across excellent outposts such as L'Oustaou in  
Flayosc, pl Brémond (from £19), La Farigoulette in Fayence, pl du  
Château (from £25) and La Fontaine in Ampus, pl Mairie (from £25).  
 
Vineyards: 
 
There are many vineyards throughout Provence and a number of local  
vignerons selling their wine within 10 minutes drive of La Machotte,  
like Jas d’Esclans, Chateau d’Esclans, Les Demoiselles and Chateau  
St-Roseline. Why not stop in for a tasting? There are lots of good  
wine co-operatives (Roquebrune, Les Arcs) or instead you could just  
pop into Callas and visit the beautiful little cave where Dame  
Jeanne will help you make a selection from her local wines. For easy  
lunchtime drinking, her simple rose wine dispensed into refillable  
bottles, at under two euros a bottle, is a perfect option.

Vacation Rental Rates

July and August: 
1st Week £2000  
2nd Week £1600 
 
All other dates: 
1st Week  £1500 
2nd Week  £1200  
      
Mandatory £100 changeover charge per stay.  
20% security deposit required. 
Payment can also be made in US dollars or euros.