Chateau Des Vallees

About this property

You will realise what a special place this is as you drive up the remote mountain road towards your 17th century château marvelling at the astonishing views over the  valley that surrounds you. 

Set in 60 hectares of private grounds, Château Des Vallées is a Provençal paradise with the sweet scents from the Lavender lawn and the beautiful views of the vast private olive groves, which date back to Roman times. Wander around the formal gardens, sunbathe on the immaculate lawns or meet for an apéritif in the outdoor bar, gazing at the spectacular scenery through the loggia’s stone archway. You can even have a game of ping-pong in ecclesiastical surroundings above the Roman ruins on display in the 17th century chapel before taking a dip in the glorious heated pool.

The château dates back to the 17th century yet it was extended by a famous architect in the 1960s, who had a reputation for creating classic masterpieces across the French Riviera, commissioned by famous artists and designers. The original plans he created can be seen on the walls of the formal dining room as a nod to its prestigious past. It has since been lovingly restored in 2012 by its current owners and guests will appreciate its eclectic yet homely ambience and unique character. 

There is an abundance of historical features throughout such as the original wide staircase spiralling up to the tower, the exquisite stained glass window by the library bar and authentic stone fireplaces in the living quarters. This is contrasted with the quirky aspects with a modern twist, such as the massage chair in the TV room and a bright contemporary kitchen with a stylish open-staircase. Each of the seven bedrooms has its own individual character; the master bedroom benefits from a ‘his and hers’ bathroom, the twin room has its own bridge leading towards the swimming pool whilst the extraordinary circular Tower bedroom can be found on the top floor with its own sunken bed.

Despite its very private and tranquil setting, you are only 5km from the nearest village where you will find narrow lanes of flower filled balconies, a bakery and restaurants. You are of course in the heart of this formidable area of stunning valleys, idyllic villages, world-renowned towns and cities, many of which are all easily reached within an hour, including the charming city of Nice (32km) and its beaches and the glamorous French Riviera.

Whether travelling with friends or family, or thinking about hosting a special celebration or wedding, this is a truly remarkable place where you are sure to create memories in such a beautiful and historical setting.

Château De La Vallée is located in a vast estate of over 350 olive trees with views of the Var Valley towards Nice in the South and the Maritime Alpes in the North. It overlooks the meeting of the Estragon and Var rivers.

It is a 5km drive down a single tracked mountain road to the nearest village, where you will find a bakery, delicatessen, bar and restaurants. It’s a charming mountain village with narrow winding streets of stone houses with balconies filled with pretty flowers. The area is fantastic for walkers with a number of paths sign-posted in the area and walks directly from the château. There is also a squash court in the village which guests have access to during their stay.

You’ll find a better choice of food shops heading south, towards Pont de la Manda (14km) and with the largest supermarkets in the outskirts of Nice (32km).

The French Riviera is within easy reach, such as the charming city of Nice (32km) with its Promenade du Paillon park running from the city to the sea, flower markets on Cours Saleya and many art galleries and museums.  

There are some wonderful villages to explore in this area such as Vence (25km), with its shady squares, pretty art galleries, picturesque cafes and beautiful countryside views or the ancient village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence (35km) with its boutiques and art shops, popular with tourists due to its charm and proximity to the coast.  Other pretty Provençal villages include Mougins (50km) and perfumed filled Grasse (60km), both within an hour and worthy of a day trip or if you have kids they may prefer the waterparks and beaches of Antibes (40km). Don’t forget to explore the wonderful Provençal markets across the towns and villages of this region and be sure to take back some local delights to your château.

If you are looking for adventure in the stunning mountains, the famous Gorges du Loup (40km) offers perfect hiking opportunities and the chance to swim in the natural pools and cascades. You  can also head 90 minutes towards Breil sur Roya (90km) where you can do white-water rafting and canyoning or enjoy some of the more traditional watersports in and around Nice. There are numerous cycling trails and horse-riding in the region, making this area perfect for those who love to stay active.

Accommodation

Château + Apartment: 14 pax / 7 suites / 8 bathrooms
Château Interior

Ground Floor
- Entrance hall with original spiral staircase and WC for guests’ use
- Living room with large stone working fireplace, comfortable seating and piano. French doors leading to gardens
- Library, with traditional wood panelling, large stone working fireplace, comfortable seating and large collection of books. Sound system with radio, CD player and MP3 connection. Wet Bar with sink and ice-maker. French doors leading to gardens
- Dining room with stone fireplace, dining table and ten chairs and French doors leading to al-fresco dining terrace
- Kitchen, open-plan to dining room via archway. Fully equipped including two dishwashers, microwave, oven, grill, ceramic hobs, twin sinks, American style fridge-freezer, additional cheese and drinks fridge, central island and breakfast bar
- Laundry room (on lower level, accessed via courtyard) with washing machine/dryer. WC and shower, available for use by staff during working hours
- TV room with comfortable sofas and massage chair, flat screen satellite TV, DVD player and surround sound system with Bluetooth connection. Doors leading to front courtyard
- Double bedroom with triple aspect windows and Juliet balcony with private bathroom (just across the corridor) with bath and overhead shower plus WC
Please note there is an open staircase from the kitchen leading to one of the first floor bedrooms: children should be supervised.
First Floor
- Master bedroom with emperor sized bed, seating area and dressing room. Two en-suite bathrooms, each with bath, separate shower, bidet and WC
- Double/twin bedroom with en-suite shower room with WC and its own private bridge leading to the upper terrace and swimming pool
- Double bedroom with balcony overlooking pool area plus adjacent en-suite bathroom with WC
- Double bedroom, only accessible via open-staircase in the kitchen, with open-plan bath and a separate WC (This room has its own air-conditioning unit)

Second Floor
- Tower bedroom, circular in shape with sunken double bed on a raised platform and en-suite open-plan shower and WC (This room has its own air-conditioning unit)

Apartment Interior
(accessed via its own front door via a lower terrace reached from steps down from the front courtyard)
- Double bedroom suite with stained glass windows and French doors
- Kitchenette
- Shower room with WC
Chapel
(accessed via steps from the dining terrace, you can see illuminated Roman remains below a glass floor panel)
- Small working organ and ecclesiastical furnishings
- Flat screen TV, table-tennis and comfortable seating

Outside Grounds
- Private heated salt-water swimming pool (circular shape, 8m diameter) with safety alarm system
- Poolside sun terrace with sun-loungers and parasols
- Al-fresco dining table for up to 14 guests with powered sun shade and evening lighting
- BBQ
- Loggia with outdoor bar and dining area by lawn and garden
- Formal gardens across terraced grounds with lawns, gravel and stone terraces and paths
- Mill stone fountain
- Garden statues and lighting
- Lavender lawn
- Electric gates and half mile drive
- Parking in gravel front courtyard

Facilities
- Air-conditioning in two bedrooms (see above)
- Dyson fans in other bedrooms
- Wi-Fi
- Satellite TV
- DVD player and selection of DVDs
- Sound system with Bluetooth connection
- CD player and radio  
- Wet bar with ice-maker
- Washing machine/dryer
- Table-tennis
- Access to squash court (in village, 5km away)