Villa Mahayana

In the Alpes-Maritimes, around 18km west of Grasse, Villa Mahayana is located in a quiet semi-residential area just a five-minute drive from a small village in the Siagne valley.

The village itself, just over a kilometre away, is perched on a rocky spur overlooking the Siagne river below. Stroll along the narrow lanes of this old village and come across a choice of bars and restaurants as well as a small supermarket. Walk to the edge of the village and admire the most incredible views of the Siagne gorge and the countryside beyond.  

The Siagne valley is a wonderful area for hiking with exceptional natural scenery, places to swim and idyllic spots such as the Pont des Tuves. Discover horse-riding close by whilst the most energetic families will love the tree-top adventures at Riviera Nature and all sorts of forest-based activities at Parc de Montauroux. Golf-lovers have a great choice of well regarded courses across this part of the Côte d'Azur, the nearest being around a 20-minute drive away.

Experience the beauty of local villages and towns, starting off in Grasse with its charming historic centre, markets, restaurants as well as its well-known perfume studios and museums. Picasso’s Mougins is another gem of the Côte d'Azur hinterland, famed for its gastronomic restaurants and art galleries, whilst Valbonne’s historic market on a Friday morning is a must, one of the best in the region.

Other perched villages to visit for pretty markets, leisurely lunches and glorious views include Fayence, Callian and Seillans, one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’, or drive south to the peaceful surroundings of Lac de Saint-Cassien, close to Montauroux, with walking paths, lakeside beaches, summer watersports and a wealth of other outdoor activities.

Despite such rural surroundings, the lure of the French Riviera never seems far away with the Bay of Cannes around 30km by car. Spend the day in this glitzy city with its palm-fringed sandy beaches, harbour, markets and historic quarter or hop on a ferry to the tranquil Lérins Islands just off the coast. Heading east, the old town of Antibes is full of charm whilst the Cap d'Antibes is a paradise for walkers with its magnificent coastal trails.

Read more about Grasse

Fall in love with Grasse and its surrounding villages as you experience the Côte d’Azur hinterland staying in one of our handpicked villa rentals in and around Grasse. Pass lavender, jasmine, roses and flower farms as you drive into the hills of the Provence-Alpes-Maritime – no wonder Grasse is known as the ‘perfume capital of France’.

As well as the Museé International de la Parfumerie, visit the perfume houses of Galimard, Molinard and Fragonard for guided tours and even perfume-making workshops. Elsewhere, explore the historic winding lanes and come across artisan shops, café terraces and the impressive Rubens frescoes inside Cathédrale Notre-Dame du Puy de Grasse. There’s a lovely daily flower market at Place aux Aires whilst Place aux Herbes hosts the larger twice-weekly market on a Wednesday and Saturday morning.

A short drive from Grasse, encounter a wealth of picture-perfect villages and beautiful landscapes for walking, hiking, horse-riding and cycling. The perched village of Cabris is especially bucolic with incredible vistas over the Tanneron forest and Lac de Saint-Cassien. There are more glorious views from the small village of Spéracèdes with its pastel-coloured houses and olive trees.

Discover century-old hiking trails through the Siagne valley as well as pretty villages, ancient bridges and idyllic swimming spots. Visit the illuminated caves of stalagmites and stalactites just outside Saint-Cézaire-sur-Siagne before pottering around the authentic village admiring its fountains, café terraces and inviting food shops showcasing goats cheese, honey, olive oil and other products of the region.

South of Grasse, drive to the charming hilltop village of Opio, also famed for its olive oil, and don’t miss the Friday morning market in Valbonne, a very charming town dating back to the 16th century, home to a wonderful town square with pavement cafes and restaurants.

Golf lovers have a great choice of courses in the region including Golf du Claux Amic, once a 17th century hunting estate with stunning views and Golf Grande Bastide just south of Opio as well as prestigious courses close to Mougins and Cannes. As well as endless hiking trails across Grasse’s surroundings, other activities include a range of land and water-based activities in and around Lac de Saint-Cassien, only 15km from Grasse, as well as tree-top adventures and zip-lines with French Riviera views at Riviera Nature just north of the town.