N° 088 | French Country Cottage

The French Country Cottage was once used by rose farmers for the perfume industry. Throughout the years the cottage and garden fell into disarray. After years of neglect, it was renovated in 2023 while keeping the essence intact, the cottage remains a simple country cottage but with all modern-day comforts. The old floors remained, furniture was upcycled and the garden is slowly coming back to life. It is a place that brings the urban soul back to nature. Have lunch underneath the ancient olive trees, lounge by the pool, and enjoy the endless views in the shade of the verandah. 

The Space

The cottage features 3 beautifully appointed bedrooms, 2 modern bathrooms, and a cozy, comfortable living area. The open-concept kitchen and dining space is perfect for preparing and enjoying gourmet meals, inspired by the flavors of the region.

Kitchen
The fully equipped kitchen offers everything you need to create authentic French cuisine, from local market produce to home-cooked feasts.

Bedrooms

Bedroom 1: Double bed with ensuite bathroom, offering a private and relaxing haven.
Bedroom 2: Double bed and a private bathroom with garden access, providing a serene escape.
Bedroom 3: Two single beds, or 1 double bed with access to a shared bathroom, ideal for families or friends.

All bedrooms are equipped with air conditioning, ensuring a comfortable stay during the warm Provençal summers.

Outdoor Spaces & Pool Area

The outdoor spaces are designed for relaxation and enjoyment. The 10-meter pool offers a refreshing escape, surrounded by natural grass, sun loungers, and parasols. Spend your days soaking up the sun, or unwind in the shaded verandah with panoramic views, including glimpses of the Mediterranean Sea on clear days. Dine al fresco under the ancient olive tree, savoring the peaceful ambiance of the countryside.

Things That Are Not Missing Here

When renovating this cottage, careful thought was given to the details that make for an ideal holiday retreat. Guests will find the following:

For Foodies – High-Quality Cookware
A well-equipped kitchen is essential for those who love to cook. The cottage includes Le Creuset pans, top-quality chef’s knives, a Magimix, a hand mixer, a blender, oven dishes, and a selection of cookbooks, including titles from Ottolenghi, Mimi Thorisson, Pien Laat Haar Eten Zien, Jamie Oliver, Persiana, Le Sud, and recipes from Provence.

For Bakers – Everything Needed for Baking
For guests who enjoy baking but rarely find the time, this kitchen is fully equipped with Nordic Ware bakeware, cake tins, cookie cutters, a waffle iron, and a crêpe maker.

For Game Lovers – A Digital Detox
The cottage encourages guests to disconnect from screens and enjoy classic entertainment. A selection of board games, card games, Ticket to Ride, Monopoly, jeu de boules, crocket, and a tennis court in the village. 

For Beautiful Tables – Thoughtfully Curated Tableware
A well-set table enhances any meal. Guests can enjoy linen tablecloths, vintage crockery sourced from brocantes, and pieces from Studio Riviera and House Doctor.

Picnic   – A designated picnic cupboard is stocked with all the essentials, including Fortnum & Mason wicker baskets, vintage thermos flasks, glass jars to keep salads fresh, picnic blankets, and sturdy wine glasses—because who wants to drink from plastic?
 

For Sustainability – Thoughtful and Eco-Friendly Choices
Small changes can make a significant impact, and this cottage incorporates several small, but sustainable solutions:

*AJEN Botanical Bodycare – Guests have access to Ajen, a luxurious botanical bodycare brand from the Netherlands, provided in refillable bottles. 

*A refill station  – A creative approach to minimizing food waste in holiday rentals, operated on the principle of Use – Enjoy – Refill

* Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products – All cleaning supplies are environmentally friendly and refillable, sourced from Raindrop Clean.

* Sustainable Shopping Options – Wicker baskets and reusable bags are available for guests to use when shopping.

*Supporting Local Businesses – Recommendations for local restaurants and shops are provided, allowing guests to experience the best local food while supporting small, independent businesses.

Vegetable and Herb Garden – A small herb and vegetable garden is available for guests to use during their stay.

Location

The Cottage is located between Seillans and Bargemon in the VAR region. Seillans is a tiny perched village in Provence and is one of the prettiest villages in France…as it has officially been listed among “Les Plus Beaux Villages de France” (The most beautiful villages in France). The village of Seillans has been built over the centuries inside fortified walls. It has a long and interesting history.  This medieval village has a labyrinth of cobbled streets, rustic portals, shaded courts, and ancient fountains. The houses in colors of ochre and rust rise to the top of the village one above the other. Many artists moved here and the illustrious surrealist painter Max Ernst lived here with Dorothea Tanning. There are 3 wonderful restaurants, Des Deux Rocs, Chex Hugo, and La Gloire de Mon Pere, as well as the Max Ernst Museum. 

The picturesque medieval village, Bargemon is full of old monuments that recall the history of the site in the Middle Ages. Squares, fountains, olive groves, or alleys where you can stroll, as well as a few brocante shops and a Thursday Farmer's market. It is the perfect place to go for a morning coffee with a croissant on the square. 

Beach 

The cottage is located far away from mass tourism but close enough to visit the beaches on the French Riviera. In approximately 45 minutes you are in Théoule-sur-Mer, another favorite is La Tortu Plage, and Le Puisette Plage or go for an aperitif at Les Roches Rouges

In the area

Brocante/ Flea markets, the 9 Medieval villages of the “Pays de Fayence”, a day trip to the Gorges de Verdon, Provence market days in Fayence, wine tasting at impressive chateaus, the 5-star golf course Terre Blanche @terre_blanche, Mimosa heaven at Tanneron, beautiful creeks, hikes, and cycling opportunities around the area, skiing at Greolières Les Neiges, art museums from Max Ernst to Matisse.  For more inspiration, visit Instagram Centifolia Provence @centifolia_provence 

Plinius Loves

Location: Stunning location, and exceptional views. 

Back to Nature: Surrounded by olive trees, fruit trees, and a herb garden

Pool area: Pure bliss to lounge by the pool on a deck chair, with a pile of magazines and a cold drink 

The Area: Seillans and Bargemon are very charming villages, the beach is relatively nearby, and plenty of brocantes during the weekends, and hiking and cycling trails all around. 

Centifolia

The name of the cottage is “Centifolia”, previously used by rose farmers. Centifolia is also the name of the rose, also known as the “rose of a hundred leaves” or Provence rose. 
This rose, used in exquisite perfumes, is rare and very fragile, and its fragrance is particularly rich and complex. It emanates a sweet, subtle, strong, and honey-like scent. The astonishing fragrance of the Centifolia rose. 

The fields around the house used to be filled with Centifolia Roses. In 1884, "Les Parfumeries de Seillans" was created by Viscountess of Seillans.  The local Perfume factory was an audacious attempt to reconstruct the local economy; phylloxera destroyed the vines, severe frosts the olive trees, and pebrine the silkworms. It turned out to be a great success and led to economic prosperity for which it is still acclaimed today.  During the 1960s the perfume industry slowly moved to India. Many factories closed and the Centifolia rose started to disappear from the landscape. The factory in Seillans closed in 2010. One of the few lasting perfume houses that kept their production in the South of France is Dior. You can visit the fields at Domaine de Manon Grasse. Their crops are exclusively reserved for the Christian Dior house.
 

Nearest Airport

Nice [55 min] 
Toulon (1 hr 30 min)

Contact: Do you have any questions about this property or if you would like to combine other destinations and properties within the area for your travel itinerary? Please do not hesitate to contact us at: info@plinius.homes