Situated midway between the sea and the mountains, both being within an hour's drive, Tourtour is an ideal base from which to explore this unspoilt corner of Provence. Local attractions include:

• The Gorges du Verdon, France's answer to the Grand Canyon, with walking, rock climbing, canoeing and white-water rafting;
• The lac Ste Croix, with swimming and boating;
• Many pretty hilltop villages, including Moustiers (famous for its decorated porcelain), Villecroze (prehistoric caves), Salernes (tiles), Entrecasteaux (castle) and Sillans (waterfalls);
• Draguignan, the capital of the Haut Var, a charming old market town with excellent shops and restaurants;
• Aix-en-Provence and Nice, both just over an hour away, for cultural events;
• Colourful Provençal markets held at different villages on different days of the week;
• Many chateaux and domaines offering wine tasting and the opportunity to buy;
• Golf, mountain biking, horse riding and fishing all available nearby;
• The wonderful beaches and other attractions of the coast at St Tropez and Ste Maxime less than an hour away;
• Skiing at Isola 2000 and Val d'Allos about two hours' drive from the house.

But, at the end of the day, it will always be a relief to escape the noise and bustle of the coast, to take the winding road up to St Pierre de Tourtour and to relax on the terrace of la Caille-Perdrix and watch the sun sink over Mont St Victoire!