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Villa Serena

This impeccable three-bedroom, partially air-conditioned villa enjoys a perfect view of one of the most enchanting places on the Côte d'Azur - the medieval village of Mougins, home of Alain Llorca's two-star Moulin de Mougins and several other Michelin-rated restaurants and bistros. Anyone who has visited Mougins will never forget the flowerboxes overflowing with roses and geraniums, the many art galleries and cafés and the old stone fountain sparkling in the sunlight on the village square. Not only is the village like a picture-postcard image of France, but its proximity to Cannes makes it an ideal location for those who wish to be away from the congestion of the coastline and yet within a few minutes of the Mediterranean.

Villa Serena, which lies less than 1 km from the village as the crow flies, is built in the classical Mediterranean style of yellow stones, beige stucco and faded red terra cotta roof. The interior is appointed with a mixture of antique and contemporary pieces and has more than 270 m2 (2,900 sq. ft.) of living space. The floors on both levels are polished off-white marble with radiant underfloor heating. Most rooms have beamed ceilings. Paintings and prints, mostly watercolors of scenes along the Côte d'Azur, combine with floral draperies and other richly colored fabrics to create a warm and comfortable feeling throughout the villa.

The living and dining rooms and two master bedrooms of Villa Serena are air-conditioned. All rooms on the main level have floor-to-ceiling doors that open onto a balcony or onto the terrace overlooking the pool. Altogether the villa has a sunny, relaxed ambiance that makes it equally pleasant both inside and in the pretty garden and pool area.

The living room, on the main level of the villa, center around a wide fireplace copied from the era of Louis XVI. Furnishings include a leather sofa and armchairs, a marble coffee table, a library area with wooden bookshelves, books in English and French, and a color television with satellite reception, including CNN and BBC. The living room opens on one side to the terrace and pool through French doors, and on the other onto a terrace with a view of Mougins. There is a powder room off the foyer.

The spacious dining room is furnished with sidepieces and an antique table large enough for eight; this room also has a terrace looking toward Mougins. The American-style kitchen and adjacent butler's pantry have granite counters and custom-made wood cabinets, and there is generous storage and workspace. The all-modern appliances include a wall oven, four-burner electric stove, dishwasher and microwave oven. There are a washing machine and separate dryer in the laundry room, which is stocked with good-quality linens.

Also on the main level are two good-sized bedrooms. The master bedroom has two oversize twin beds, a large closet, a private terrace with a view toward the village, and a well-appointed full ensuite bath. The second bedroom also has normal-size twin beds, a full ensuite bath, large closets and double French doors that open onto the garden.

Downstairs is a handsomely appointed master bedroom suite with two oversize twin beds, and an elaborate tile and marble ensuite bathroom with stall shower. Each of the three bathrooms has a WC.

One of the joys of Villa Serena is its extensive (altogether almost a hectare, 2.5 acres) and beautifully maintained gardens. The 5 m X 12 m (16.5' X 39.5') pool, which can be heated at extra cost, is bordered by banks of rose bushes, and flowers spill out of large ceramic pots on the spacious terrace. Plantings of olive and cypress trees and large hedges provide complete privacy for the house and grounds.

Outside dining takes place on the terrace, shaded by a white awning, where there is a table large enough for 10. The lawn has shady nooks even at midday, and in one corner is an old stone fountain where gently running water perpetually provides a cool, soothing sound.

Pool and garden maintenance and 12 hours weekly of housecleaning are included in the rental price. Other amenities include telephones in all bedrooms, a portable telephone, high-speed Internet access, fax machine, sophisticated alarm system, automatic gate opener and two-car garage and, near the terrace, a Ping-Pong table.

While the villa is 1 km from Vieux Mougins in a straight line on the map, the road network in this area features few straight lines. The village and its panoply of restaurants, art galleries and boutiques is less than 10 minutes by car, with ample free parking in several lots that surround the hilltop. Just a short walk down the hill to the bottom of the small residential street of Villa Serena is a variety of shops for daily needs, including two boulangeries, a Casino grocery store, green grocers with cheese sections, butchers, etc.

Villa Serena is especially suitable for couples traveling together. It has an excellent central heating system and is available for rental all year round. The property is a good value for a May, June and September rental, and is exceptionally well priced for fall, winter and early spring months.