THE FACTS ABOUT LA SOURCE ST MICHEL

France

To the west and further inland from Mougins is the craggy Var region with its famous vineyards and walled, medieval towns. The drive from Grasse to Draguignan encourages detours to the 12th-century, fortified village of Bargemon, which attracted press coverage last year when the Beckhams bought a house close by. In so doing, they joined a growing number of British families who have chosen this part of the world, with its dramatic scenery, simple villages and sophisticated food, for holidays away from (yet close enough to) the coast. The physical attractions of gangly Draguignan are less obvious: it is a sprawling military town with regimentally laid-out boulevards and squares. Yet there is plenty of charm in the compact old centre which has narrow streets, tall buildings and busy, inexpensive restaurants, cafés and tobacconists. Wealth and influence once emanated from the town, and the 19th-century villa La Source St Michel is a graceful example of its glory days. The US owners have fully restored the shuttered house - which stands shaded by plane trees at the end of a long driveway - with empathy and good taste. The walled Roman road that runs alongside the villa leads down into Draguignan, a couple of kilometres away; at night, the lights of the town twinkle below the villa's terraced olive groves and the scent of lavender drifts across the landscaped gardens, which are watered by the same natural spring that feeds an ancient bassin, now filled with fish. There is a large, L-shaped swimming pool and, hidden from view, a simple earth tennis court. Inside, natural light floods the flagstone entrance hall with its imposing staircase and freshly painted frescoes, on either side of which are a formal dining room and a living room with original fireplaces, chandeliers and oak floorboards. Upstairs, the owners have created five bedrooms with generous proportions and interconnected living rooms, five-star quality bathrooms, high-speed Internet access, personalised telephones and underfloor heating. The furnishings are simple but plush. SLEEPS 10 PRICE £3,500-£5,400 per week, including housekeeper and maid CONTACT Private Properties Abroad (01423 330 533; www.ppaproperties.com) FLY EasyJet (0870 600 000; www.easyjet.com) to Nice (89km away)