Featured as the villa in Secret France, Rick Stein’s BBC2 TV Series aired 5 November 2019. Read more here> Also featured in The Times Online, 17 of the best villas in the south of France, published 24 September 2024. Read more here> Originally a 14th-century lookout tower, this hilltop château in Provence provides 360-degree views of the surrounding oak forest and lush landscapes below, accommodating 13 guests in comfort and style. Thoughtfully restored with rustic and contemporary décor, the château has an inviting ambiance and plenty of comfortable places to relax; from the open living space with a wood-burning stove, to the cinema room, or the sun loungers by the pool with wonderful views overlooking the valley. It's even a wonderful place in the winter, especially cosying up by the Christmas tree or simply gazing up at the clear starry skies at night. The ancient terraces will be a popular spot for enjoying meals from the local market, especially the shaded terrace just off the impressive modern kitchen, where you’ll dine alongside breathtaking panoramic views of the French countryside. Below lies a medieval courtyard with lavender and fruit trees, which is another excellent space for entertaining. There are five bedrooms in the main house, plus a delightful studio with a mezzanine bed and a private terrace which sleeps an additional two guests. You’ll be within walking distance to the village of St Michel L’Observatoire, with two restaurants, a cafè, a bakery and a butcher, as well as a prominent observatory, and it's a short drive to the famous absinthe of Forcalquier. The beaches of the French Riveria are worth the 2.5-hour drive!
A Stay at Maison Sebastien
“I will never get over this perfect house in the countryside and wish we could have stayed for weeks! It was perfection from the French kitchen, to the blue shutters, medieval floor plan, sunny terrace with gorgeous views, swimming pool, and country lanes for miles surrounding us…” - Read more about the fantastic Maison Sebastien here! As mentioned in...
Maison Sebastien is a five minute drive - or lovely twenty minute walk - from the village of St Michel L'Observatoire.
The village is thriving with two restaurants, a cafè, a bakery and a butcher. It is also home to a major French Observatory. St Michel's position at the foot of the Midi-Alpes combined with a lack of light pollution gives it unique night skies at all times of year. Ten minutes drive from the house is the small medieval town of Mane and beyond - the regional centre - Forcalquier. Mane has a good pizza restaurant, pharmacy, bakery, butcher and Epicerie. Forcalquier is famous for it's absinthe, it's historic church and square and it's citadel high above the town but it also has two excellent supermarkets, a thriving - if crazy - Monday market and some lovely cafes restaurants and shops.
There are many ways to get to the property: fly to Marseille or take a train to ether Aix en Provence TGV or Avignon TGV. There is now a direct train between London St Pancras and Avignon. The drive from London is approximately 14 hours. There are numerous useful local buses that link with both the airport and the train stations.
Bastide (Main House) Interiors
Main Floor
- Open-plan lounge, dining area and kitchen with doors opening out to terrace with al-fresco dining terrace
- Bedroom with super king-size double bed, fan and bathroom with hammam-style shower
First Floor (curved stone stairway)
- Bedroom with king-size double bed, fan and en suite bathroom
- Bedroom with king-size double bed, fan and en suite bathroom. Includes an area outside the bedroom which can be curtained off with a single bed
Second Floor
- Bedroom with double bed and fan
- Bedroom with two single beds and fan
- Bathroom
- TV/cinema area with Apple TV/Orange cable TV
Split-level Studio (set off the medieval courtyard)
- Small kitchenette
- Bathroom
- Mezzanine-style bedroom with double bed
- Private sun terrace
Outdoor Grounds
- Swimming pool (4.8x12m), fully enclosed
- Stone poolside terrace with sun loungers and shade
- Terrace with al-fresco dining table
- Ancient covered terrace overlooking medieval courtyard
- Other pretty terraces and garden
- One of the last remaining Roman mulberry trees in Provence
- Listed stoneware around the house
- Many steps and terraced levels (some low walls)
