At Villa La Bergerie, a Richstone Collection villa within the Terre Blanche Estate in Tourrettes, France, ownership expects each guest to feel right at home during their stay. When this secluded rural property is not occupied by guests, it actually serves as the home to the Richstone Collection’s founder and CEO, David Rich-Jones, something that separates La Bergerie from the average villa, according to Diana Cherry, the head of Richstone Properties, who came by to update us on the villa.
“It feels like a home,” said Cherry, something she noted was not always the case with high-end villas, in a recent meeting with Luxury Travel Advisor. She described staying in other villas that opted for style and picturesque beauty over functional, comfortable living; i.e.: couches as hard as rock, rooms with little space and uncomfortable layouts that were not designed with the guests’ comfort in mind.
At La Bergerie, Cherry says they do not compromise comfort for style; they offer both with spacious accommodations, functional rooms and modern, artistic furnishings. At the villa, guests will receive a secluded, all-inclusive experience with luxury amenities such as a dedicated concierge to set up transportation and excursions and a full staff to aid guests all throughout their stay. Good to know: Villa guests can receive access to the facilities at the five-star Terre Blanche Hotel; however, this comes at an additional cost.
The Villa
The three-and-half-acre hillside property overlooks the Terre Blance Hotel and offers unobstructed, 360-degree views of the surrounding area, including glimpses of the hotel’s Le Château golf course, the Alpilles and Luberon Mountains, and the villages of Fayence, Callian and Seillans. Not only are guests secluded, they are safe: La Bergerie is a gated property with a guardhouse and barriers.
The villa can up to 16 people in eight rooms, two of which are in the guest house, which was added in September 2016. The other six rooms are located in the main house.
Throughout the property, guests will find a style that blends a classic ambiance with a modern flair. The villa is filled with classic antiques, sculptures and works of art, which are contrasted with modern touches like its muted color palette and abundance of natural light coming through floor-to-ceiling French windows. Outside, arched columns, well-kept gardens and flowing water fountains round out the rustic feel.
In the spacious main house are four double bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms and terraces or balconies. There is also a triple aspect living room with French windows, indoor and outdoor kitchen areas, a staff kitchen, an outdoor dining table for 16, a swimming pool, TV and Internet, and a cinema room with a large screen and full surround sound system.
Meanwhile, the guest house provides two more bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, and a private lounge area with a fireplace and direct access to the villa’s private gardens.
The villa’s resident chef, along with two hostesses, will prepare any and all meals. Though food and drink is not included in the rate, guests don’t need to worry about grocery shopping. All that guests have to do is specify a budget when booking their stay, and the staff will order food on their behalf, taking personal preferences and allergies into consideration. Good to know: Guests can choose from the villa’s very own wine cellar to complement their meals.
Experiences and Activities
During their stay at La Bergerie, guests can enjoy a number of experiences at the villa, Terre Blanche Hotel and the nearby cities, villages and beaches. At the villa, guests can head outside and relax by the large heated pool in the back, get out of the sun and immerse themselves in a movie in the cinema room, or play table tennis, foosball, tennis, badminton or croquet with friends and family.
Guests can also arrange a number of lavish experiences such as yacht charters, helicopter transfers from the Terre Blanch helipad to nearby locations, yoga, pilates, or cycling exercises with personal trainers at the villa, reservations at high-end restaurants in the area and more.
At the Terre Blanche Hotel, guests can enjoy two championship golf courses, a 35,000-square-foot spa with special treatments inspired by Provence, or the Michelin-starred Le Faventia restaurant, serving Mediterranean cuisine curated by executive chef Philippe Jourdin.
Want to explore another part of France entirely? That can be arranged as well. La Bergerie is located within reach of active coastal destinations like Cannes, Saint-Tropez, Antibes and Nice; it's even closer to smaller villages filled with active outdoor excursions, wineries and vineyards, cafes and other charms.
The Villa recommends a stop in the “Villages Perches” such as Fayence, Seillans or Callian to visit their local markets and restaurants. Wine tasting at the Chateau d’Esclans or taking a 30-minute ride to one of the beaches in Cannes or Saint Tropez for a day in the sun are other top suggestions.
Villa La Bergerie is only 45 minutes from the Nice Côte d'Azur International Airport, allowing for a quick transfer from the airport to its front doors. The villa is open year-round, though spring and fall stays are recommended by Cherry. The one-week rate for the villa is €60,000 (approximately $74,000).
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