View from barbecue and wood oven cooking space

Playing area - when not running around, biking or playing rugby in the garden :)

Main house : room 1 (updated photos coming soon)

Main house : room 2 (updated photos coming soon)

Non-Premium #35994

OUR HAVEN IN THE HEART OF PROVENCE

House • Lorgues France

4 Guests

2 Bedrooms

3 Beds

1 Bathroom

Primary home

Exchange types accepted

Simultaneous

Non-Simultaneous

Non-Reciprocal & Globe

Hospitality

Hospitality Description: As mentioned in the general description, adjacent to our home is an independent 31 square meter-guesthouse which we are happy to exchange separately for Globes when we are home.

Statistics

Listed August 2024

General overview

Partly built in natural local stone in the 1960s by its first owner, a local Italian-born art brut artist, our home truly is our little haven in Provence. When we found it, we instantly fell in love with it and its fairy-like garden. It was rather modest, and yet extremely charming, with little treasures hidden here and there on the walls and around the garden. Finally, what sold it for us was its history: imagine a man, well in his sixties, going up the nearby forested hill with a wheelbarrow to get the natural stones he used to build the house with!

The space

Fully renovated and extended to 148 square meters in 2017, we took special care in combining the charm of old and modern as we created the atmosphere we needed to enjoy a simple, comfortable and content family life.

Bright and spacious, our home can accommodate up to 4 guests. It offers:  

•  2 comfortable bedrooms: one with 1 super king size bed, and one with 2 single beds; 
•  1 playroom (usually closed; it could be made available, if needed and if our boys agree); 
•  1 traditional-style fully-equipped kitchen, which opens out to a cosy back terrace where guests can enjoy their morning coffee or lunch; 
•  1 large dining and sitting room, with a Godin cast iron wood-burning stove; 
•  1 bathroom;
•  1 laundry room with washing machine and tumble dryer; 
•  2 separate toilets. 

The living and sleeping areas all have direct access to our big, sun-soaked garden, with the living/dining room opening out to an extensive front terrace with its own dining area under an olive tree overlooking the swimming pool, complete with an outdoor wood-fired oven and gas barbecue. 

The garden itself (2500 square meters) is planted with the most characteristic plants and trees of the garrigue landscape (i.e. rosemary; thyme; lavender; kermes and holm oak trees; pine trees, fig and olive trees; among others). Here and there, you will find nice secluded areas, perfect for enjoying the sunshine, an afternoon read or a nap in the shade. As we keep lovingly and patiently planting and landscaping, our hope is it will become an even more magical place. 

During the hot summer days, a dip in the swimming pool is a specially welcome treat. As for children, they will be most delighted to have a large open space to run around in, including a playground with swings and climbing rope. 

Adjacent to our home is an independent 31 square meter-guesthouse which we may include in a long-term exchange, if needed, or exchange separately for Globes. Ideal for accompanying or visiting family members who will appreciate having their own private space, it can comfortably welcome 2 people, or a couple with a young child. The guesthouse offers: 

•	1 bedroom with a super king size bed; 
•	1 bathroom; 
•	1 open kitchenette; and
•	1 dining/sitting area with a clic-clac sofa bed.

Guest access

Partial split-level home (only one short level), with a small set of stairs between levels.

Notes

Our house is strictly non-smoking, and, unfortunately, we are unable to welcome furry companions.

Features

Show all features including those not in this home

Washer

Dishwasher

Clothes dryer

Oven

Coffee machine

Fridge

Iron

Hair dryer

Heating

Air conditioning

TV

WiFi

High Speed Internet

Smoke alarms

Fire extinguisher

Bed sheets

Towels

Workspace

Fireplace

Home cinema

Toys

BBQ

Pool

Garden / yard

Deck / patio / courtyard / terrace

Bikes

Travel Styles

Long term

Weekend

Adventure

Family

Romantic

Sport and leisure

Foodie

Relaxing

Village

Mountains

Beach

Water

Culture

Hiking

Cycling

House rules

Suitable for infants under 2

Suitable for children ages 2-12

Pets not allowed

No smoking

Allergens

Cat free

Dog free

Carpet free

Smoke free

Fragrance free

Dates of Availability

Click on availability periods to see exchange types and descriptions.

Available

Neighbourhood

We live in a peaceful neighbourhood surrounded by nature. 

ABOUT LORGUES 

Between the Mediterranean Sea and the renowned Gorges du Verdon (a must-see natural wonder of central Provence and largest canyon in Europe), Lorgues is among the most sought-after village towns in the heart of Provence. Surrounded by a beautiful landscape of pine and oak forests, swathes of olive groves and vineyards, it is a typical Provençal market town, originally founded by the Knights Templar during 12th-century. A maze of cobbled and narrow medieval streets bordered by colourful town houses and pretty boutiques, it is dominated by its imposing 18th-century collegial Saint-Martin church. 

For the perfect Provençal immersion, every Tuesday dive into the flavours and fragrances of local and regional produce by visiting its colourful, lively and authentic traditional market, one of the largest and most popular in the region. The enchanting Farmer’s market, which takes place every Friday from Spring through early Autumn, will appeal to visitors preferring a quieter experience. For your daily groceries, there are two supermarkets and an organic shop. 

For gastronomy and wine lovers, other than being home to the famous truffe restaurant ‘Chez Bruno’ and the splendid wine estate Château de Berne, with its magnificent vineyards and Michelin-starred restaurant ‘Le Jardin de Berne’, Lorgues and its surrounding area is well provided with good restaurants and wine estates known for their excellent worldwide famous ‘Côtes de Provence’ rosé (but also worth tasting red and white wines) such as Château les Crostes, Château Roubine, Château Mentone, Domaine Sainte-Béatrice, Château Martinette, Domaine de la Rose Trémière, Château Sainte-Roseline, among others. 

Those looking to wind down after a long day tasting delicious food and wine will be happy to pop into Lorgues Coffee Roasters and enjoy a freshly roasted coffee from various regions around the world. 

ABOUT THE VAR REGION

A region rich in contrasts, between sea and mountains, Var is a paradise for cultural and natural heritage lovers. You will be captivated by its extraordinary landscape of picturesque perching villages, vast verdant thick forests (the region is the second most wooded department in France after the Landes), rolling rocky hills, terraced olive groves, paths running through the vines, and plunging cliffs along its magnificent coastline which boasts some of the most beautiful beaches of the French Riviera. 

Heading North of Lorgues, within one hour’s drive, you can discover and explore the Verdon Regional Natural Park and its spectacular Gorges du Verdon, the largest canyon in Europe, perfect for canoeing, kayaking and paddle boarding. For some fantastic hiking, biking, and horse-riding experiences, you may find it difficult to choose between the Maures Massif, one of the oldest and wildest landscapes in Provence, with dark green oak and chestnut forests stretching over almost 60 km); the Estérel Massif with its red porphyry rock plunging into the sea; and the mysterious and imposing Sainte-Baume Massif, considered one of the ‘sacred’ mountains of Provence alongside Saint Victoria and Mont Ventoux. 

Heading South, the Mediterranean Sea awaits with its glorious sandy beaches, coves and creeks, and paradise islands. Not to be missed, the aptly-named ‘Islands of Gold’ off the coast of Hyères: Porquerolles, Port-Cros and Le Levant. When it comes enjoying the sunshine at the beach, with 400 km of coastline and 230 beaches, you will undoubtedly be spoilt for choice. Among the most beautiful, and within 45-60 mins’ drive, are: the Pampelonne, Escalet, Tahiti beaches in Ramatuelle; Bouillabaisse, La Ponche, Fontanette, Graniers and Canebiers/Canoubiers beaches around the mythic Saint-Tropez fishing village; La Nartelle in Sainte-Maxime. Marvellous beaches and more beaches are also to be found in La Croix-Valmer, Hyères-les-Palmiers, La Londe, Bormes-les-Mimosas, Le Lavandou, Le Rayol, Cavalaire. 

Your experience of the Provençal beauty would not be complete without a visit to an authentic Provençal village. Nearby Lorgues, why not visit Tourtour? Known as “the village in the sky”, it exudes charm and easy living.  Considered one of the most beautiful villages of France, it offers breathtaking views over Provence. Other lovely villages close by: Salernes (world famous for its traditional ceramics and terracotta tiles), Le Thoronet (with its well-known abbey surrounded by lavender fields), Villecroze (and its troglodytic caves). A little further away must-see villages are Bormes-les-Mimosas - with its famous Fort de Brégançon, Cotignac, Gassin, Seillans, Le Castellet, La Cadière d’Azur, Fayence, Aiguines, La Garde-Freinet, Collobrières, and many more. 

Please visit www.visitvar.fr for further information about all our beautiful region has to offer. 

THE SURROUNDING REGIONS

Bordering the Var region are the wonderful regions of: 1) Bouches du Rhône (Marseille, with its breath-taking calanques; Aix-en-Provence, city of Paul Cézanne; the historic city of Arles; the Camargue regional park and nature reserve, home to pink flamingos, white horses, black bulls and more); 2) Vaucluse (Avignon and its stunning papal palace, the sublime Luberon Regional Natural Park, like Camargue part of the UNESCO International Network of Biosphere Reserves); 3) Alpes de Haute Provence (Valensole Plateau and its spectacular lavender fields is a must-see); and of course 4) Alpes Maritimes (Nice and its famous Promenades des anglais; glamourous Cannes, the beautiful perched medieval village of Eze). 

Last but not least, while here, why not plan an escape to Italy, driving through Monaco? We sometimes even visit on a day trip, just for that little taste of ‘dolce vita’.

Getting to my home

The best way to get to our home, and getting around is by car.

Nearest airport

The nearest airports are :

 • Toulon-Hyères (72.7 km). 
• Nice-Côte d'Azur (93.6 km)
• Marseille Provence (123 km)

In any case, you would then need to either rent a car or take a train to Les Arcs-Draguignan railway station and then rent a car/book a taxi/take a bus.

Getting around

We are only a five-minute drive and fifteen-minute cycling distance from the town centre. 

In town you will also find public and on-demand buses that will take you to Les Arcs-Draguignan railway station, Draguignan bus station, and other surrounding towns. 

From Draguignan bus station, you can travel to Toulon, Fréjus, Brignoles, Aups, Fayence, and Le Luc.

Map of Approximate Location

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Non-Premium

Sandra & Laury

We are a family of four with our home base in the beautiful region of Provence, in the South of France. We lived in the UK for many years, and have worked in international development in different countries across Africa, Eastern Europe, Latin America and Asia. 

Born explorers and adventurers, we love to slow travel, road trips, and experience new environments, cultures and local cuisine! We enjoy all things simple in life, especially being together as a family. Wherever we are, you will often find us exploring the great outdoors, surfing, cooking, or planning our next expedition! 

We have been home exchanging for 7 years through another platform. We will consider any destination and are usually quite flexible regarding dates, so just drop us a message and we will be happy to discuss any home exchange opportunities.

Travelling group

Desired Destinations

Open to any destination

Can travel at any time

Oxford, UK

Sep 20, 2024 - Apr 30, 2025

"We are actively looking for a six-month exchange in Oxford or surrounding area, starting in September or 1st October at the latest."