Offering a tastefully modern take on the traditional French mas, stunning Villa Siffret stole our hearts the moment we first saw it, tucked into a large, landscaped garden on the very edge of Saint-Siffret village. It’s effortlessly chic and makes a superb base for a group of friends or a family with older children looking for style and comfort in a beautifully traditional setting.

Parquet floors, time-worn tiles and beamed ceilings give a respectful nod to the original building, but a recent top-to-toe renovation has breathed new life into this substantial villa and brought it bang up to date. The kitchen is the heart of many a French home, and Villa Siffret is no exception, with huge, fully retractable doors that open onto a sunny terrace spanning the width of the building. The whole place feels spacious and light, with lots of floor-to-ceiling glass and a generous first floor terrace for the master bedroom. Each of the four bedrooms has a king-size bed, making this a great choice for couples holidaying together or a family with teens.

The private garden is perhaps the most impressive feature of Villa Siffret, with a central, 16-metre long swimming pool nestled into immaculately landscaped, Mediterranean-style gardens. Lazy days stretch into long, sociable evenings on the terrace as the sky fades to gold and lavender-purple, the signature shades of Provence. Sleepy Saint-Siffret is a 4-minute drive for basic shops, and for eating out we recommend going just a few kilometres further to Uzès (ooo-zezz, in case you were wondering), one of our favourite Provençal towns with an excellent range of restaurants tucked into its medieval streets.

The local area

Uzès is the closest of many beautiful historic towns in the area; once you’ve wandered its honey-coloured streets, the tranquil medieval garden is a lovely shady spot on a hot day. For those with a sweet tooth, the Haribo factory is a fun alternative activity in Uzès. A stay in this area puts you at the heart of Roman France, with Nîmes, Avignon (50 mins) and Arles all reachable by car in 45mins to an hour. For more active pursuits, there’s wild swimming at the Gorge du Gardon or child-friendly paddling and swimming beneath the impressive Roman arches of the Pont du Gard. Although this is not a beach destination, the coast is very doable for a day; the walled town of Aigues-Morte on the south coast combines well with trip to the beach at Espiguette. The flamingos and wild horses of the Camargue are around an hour’s drive, and vibrant Montpelier is just a little further.

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