My name is François, and I have been running barefoot through the garrigue hills above Sanary-sur-Mer since I was 9 years old. I say that not to boast, but because when people ask me about holiday homes in Provence, I think they deserve an answer from someone who actually lives here — not a travel algorithm.

The Villa des Oliviers is the house I built on that hill. Seven bedrooms, seven private en-suite bathrooms, a heated pool with sea views, and a garden that smells of thyme and olive blossom every morning of the year. It sits 5 minutes from the beaches and 10 minutes from Bandol. It is the Provence I grew up in — and I would like to help you find yours.

What makes Provence the right destination for a holiday home?

People often picture Provence as the Luberon valley or the lavender fields near Valensole. Those are beautiful, no question. But the Provence I know — Western Var, between Marseille and Toulon — is something else entirely. The sea is here. The fishing boats come back into port every morning at Sanary with the day's catch. The market on Wednesday is the best in France, according to more food writers than I can count. And in August, when the Luberon is packed, our coast still has quiet pockets you reach by foot.

That combination — Mediterranean light, working fishing village, hills covered in garrigue, access to some of the finest Bandol AOC wine in the world — is what brings families back to Sanary year after year. If you are looking for a holiday home in Provence that gives you genuine southern France rather than a postcard, the Western Var is where to look.

How to choose the right holiday home in Provence

After welcoming guests at the Villa des Oliviers for many years, I have noticed the questions that matter most when choosing a holiday villa in this region:

How many people is it really for? The Villa des Oliviers sleeps up to 14 guests across 7 bedrooms, each with its own private bathroom. That means two families travelling together — each with their own space, their own rhythm, no sharing the shower before breakfast. For large groups, private en-suite bathrooms are not a luxury: they are what determines whether the holiday stays peaceful.

Is the pool private and heated? In Provence, the swimming season runs longer than people expect — from mid-April through October. A heated pool is genuinely useful. Ours runs to 28°C from spring onwards and looks out over the sea and the hills of the Gros Cerveau. Morning swims before anyone else is awake are, in my honest opinion, the best thing about this house.

How close are you to the sea, the village, the markets? The Villa des Oliviers is 5 minutes by car from Portissol beach, the most beautiful sandy beach in Sanary. The Wednesday and Sunday markets, the port, the restaurants — all within 10 minutes. You can stay anchored at the villa and still experience everything the region has to offer.

Does the owner actually know the area? I do. I was born here. I can tell you which beach is best for young children in July, which cove is still quiet at 10am in August, which restaurant in Bandol has the best bouillabaisse, and how to get to Le Castellet — the medieval village perched above the hills — without getting stuck behind a tourist bus. That local knowledge is included when you book directly.

Villa des Oliviers: what the numbers actually mean

Seven bedrooms and seven private bathrooms sounds like a brochure line. Let me translate it into real life. Two families of four adults and three children each: everyone has their own room, every adult couple has their own bathroom. Mornings run smoothly. There are no arguments about towels. The children can share a room if they want to, or each have their own. The covered terrace seats all 14 for dinner without anyone sitting on a garden chair dragged in from the lawn.

The kitchens are fully equipped for serious cooking — which in Provence means the market, the fish counter at the port, a bottle of Bandol rosé, and a long afternoon. The olive trees in the garden are original to the property. The view from the pool stretches to the sea on clear days, which is most days.

Where to go from Sanary: a week in the Western Var

One of the things guests tell me they appreciate most is how much is reachable in a day. From the villa, you can wake up early and drive 25 minutes to Île de Bendor for a morning on a car-free island. In the afternoon, stop at a Bandol AOC domaine for a tasting. Back in time for a swim before sunset. The next day, take the coastal path from Sanary to the Pointe de la Cride — 2 hours on foot, wild garrigue, sea below, no crowd. The day after, drive up to Le Castellet in the morning cool, walk the ramparts, eat lunch under the plane trees.

Seven days is enough to feel the Western Var properly. Fourteen is better. I have had guests who have come back for ten years running, which I take as a reasonable endorsement.

Practical information

Capacity: 14 guests maximum, 7 bedrooms, 7 private en-suite bathrooms.

Pool: heated, private, open April to October, sea view.

Location: 170 Chemin de la Tourelle, Sanary-sur-Mer — 5 min from Portissol beach, 10 min from Bandol, 45 min from Toulon-Hyères airport.

Booking: direct booking only at location-villa-sanary.fr — no platform commission, you deal directly with me.

Best time to visit: May–June and September–October for quiet beaches and full sunshine. July–August for the full Provençal summer, market at its best, but book early.

FAQ — Holiday homes in Provence

How many bedrooms does Villa des Oliviers have?

The Villa des Oliviers has 7 bedrooms, each with its own private en-suite bathroom, and accommodates up to 14 guests. It is particularly suited to two families travelling together who want their own space without compromising on a shared pool, terrace, and view.

Is Sanary-sur-Mer in Provence?

Sanary-sur-Mer is in the Var department of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region — Western Provence, on the Mediterranean coast between Marseille and Toulon. It is genuine Provence: garrigue hills, fishing port, weekly market, Bandol wine country 10 minutes away.

Why book a holiday home in Provence directly rather than through a platform?

Booking directly means no platform commission (which can reach 15–20%), direct contact with the owner, and — in our case — local knowledge you can actually use before and during your stay. I answer questions myself, before you arrive, because I know the area and want your holiday to go well.

What is the nearest beach to Villa des Oliviers?

Portissol beach is 5 minutes by car — a sandy, family-friendly beach with clear water and a small snack bar. It is the most beautiful beach in Sanary, in my opinion, and the one I still swim from most mornings in summer.

If you have questions about the villa or the area, the best thing is to write to me directly via the reservation page. I reply personally. That is the point of booking without a platform.