The Divine Touch

The Divine Touch: Provence-Alps-French Riviera

A beautiful new villa in a peaceful, rural spot, this place is little more than an hour's drive from the Verdon Gorge. The ideal escape for an outdoorsy family or a group of friends, it's traditional on the outside but modern on the inside, with a contemporary kitchen diner, tiled floors and all-white walls. Topped off with enormous grounds of around 1000 m², it's surrounded by pretty countryside.

You'll probably be here for the excellent hiking and cycling locally (or in fact the canoeing, rafting or paragliding) but this home is much more than just a convenient base. A place with real appeal and stylish decor, it has a relaxing, home-from-home feel. Pad out to the south-facing terrace and sun yourself on the loungers or read in the shade of the old holm oak tree. And if the heat is getting to you, there's a neat solution that the kids will love too – your own above-ground pool with detachable steps.

After an active day out, cook dinner in your fabulous kitchen, with two sets of sliding doors so you can open it right up to the garden, or light the barbecue and eat outside as the stars come out. Before bed, plan the next day's adventures – perhaps you'll choose to picnic on the shores of Lac de Sainte-Croix or visit Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, said to be one of the most beautiful villages in France.

Home truths:
*You'll definitely need a car for this area – there's plenty of private parking
*It's possible to put the twin beds together as a double – just ask the host
*The unheated pool has steep, removable steps up to it – it's only open from May to the end of September
*There's an office area if you'll be working during your stay