Immaculate and understated, classic yet contemporary, Villa Tisseuse combines all the comfort of a permanent residence with a fantastic location on the edge of Sainte Marie village. The villa’s owner is professional interior designer who has decorated her home following the Japanese principle of wabi-sabi, which loosely translates as the art of finding beauty in natural imperfections. To our untrained eye there is little here that would not be considered perfect, but the emphasis on natural materials such as rattan for the furnishings and cotton for the lights definitely makes for a very restful atmosphere, with lots of curves and muted colours creating a calming contrast to the more typical seaside villa style.

We’ve not forgotten that you’re on holiday not on a magazine photo shoot however, so the villa also has a generously sized 700m2 landscaped garden and a heated swimming pool with an electric cover. The garden faces west, promising long sunny days, with a covered eating area so you can still comfortably have lunch outside even in the height of summer. There are similar properties in the vicinity but none of them overlook the house, making this a charming and secluded spot to rest or play. With four double bedrooms, the layout lends itself well to a group of couples or friends, and the provision of a fifth bunk room for kids offers the thrill of a week of sleepovers for younger guests. Regardless of who you decide to bring, you’ll find all the island’s greatest holiday pleasures close at hand, with the beach at Basse Benaie a six-minute walk away (500m), and the local shops and restaurants of Sainte Marie an easy stroll.

Local area
Nestled between vineyards and the sea, the village of Sainte Marie (500m) traces its roots back to medieval times, characterised by narrow streets and the distinctive bell tower on the church in the village centre.  Your nearest beach is Basse Bernaie (500m), small and sandy with no facilities and a lovely natural feel; for bodyboarding or surfing we suggest Les Grenettes (4km) or Le Gros Jonc where you’ll find lifeguards, a range of watersports and all the facilities you need for a day by the sea. Sainte Marie has its own local shops and restaurants, plus markets on the Place des Tilleuls and the Place d’Antioche.  The local them continues with beer from the micro-brewery Bières de Ré, salt from Le Comptoir des Pertuis and crunchy treats from the artisan bakers Biscuiterie de Ré. Bike paths connect you with the rest of the island, and if even that seems too much effort, the Hotel Atalante offers a range of thalassotherapy treatments to non-residents in the summer months. The capital St Martin is 8km away.

Our choice of French properties is diverse, ranging from simple charm to genuine luxury and style. Much of our portfolio is privately owned, and price alone is therefore not a universal guide. We contract all our accommodation in person, and each property has its individual appeal.

To help you make the right choice based on your own priorities, we have devised a simple grading guide to be considered in conjunction with each individual property description, awarding up to a maximum of five stars for the below categories.