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VILLA TROPEZIENNE

Villa Tropezienne - big, bright, beautifully furnished, air-conditioned and situated directly on the Mediterranean seacoast - is a breath of fresh air on the Saint-Tropez real estate scene. From the strikingly modern living room to the stylishly decorated bedrooms to the two south-facing terraces, the villa is all light and space, a luxurious place from which to enjoy the vibrant scene at Saint-Tropez - or to observe it from a blissful distance. So intoxicating are the features of the house, the beauty of the sculpted grounds, pool and tennis court, the depth of the blue sky and the endless horizon of the sea, and at night the lights of Saint-Tropez twinkling just across the bay, that we hope you will forgive us if we seem a little over the top in describing this extraordinary property.

Several civilizations, among them fishermen from ancient Greece, have populated the area around Saint-Tropez for thousands of years. It is easy to see what drew them here: a calm harbor, excellent fishing, sandy beaches and sunny weather make it an attractive outpost for both practical and epicurean purposes. The epicurean has certainly had the upper hand in recent decades, as Saint-Tropez continues to be a haven for movie stars, wealthy boating enthusiasts and playboys from all corners of the globe. But the bounty of the Côte Varoise is not limited to the rich and famous. Jetsetters and more pedestrian vacationers mingle during the summer months in the narrow streets around the port and the shady Place des Lices, and during the almost invariably sunny days crowd the beaches that rim the entire peninsula.

Villa Tropezienne offers the opportunity to lead the jetset life or to opt out and just enjoy complete peace and privacy on a seaside estate. The resident caretaker heads out early each morning to purchase fresh bread and croissants, and a water taxi can be called at any time to transport guests across the harbor to Saint-Tropez. Meanwhile the Mediterranean gently laps against the sea wall just a few feet away from the pool.

The beauty of Villa Tropezienne is immediately apparent upon passing through the remote-controlled gates at the end of a quiet lane. Under the tall pine trees there are shady places dappled with sunlight, and all around beds of flowers interspersed with palm, cypress and olive trees. On the way to the villa one passes the regulation-size tennis court with its carefully barbered grass surface. The parking area is behind the house so as not to obscure the view. Further along the main cobblestone drive are the pool and pool house, which lie along the sea. At the end of the compound, well beyond Villa Tropezienne, are the owner’s house and the separate caretaker’s residence. (Note: The owner’s house is not occupied when Villa Tropezienne is rented, but may be available for rental in conjunction with the villa to comprise a ten-bedroom property.)

Villa Tropezienne was constructed in the mid-20th century and thoroughly modernized several years ago. The spacious living-dining room seems even more open because of the black-and-white motif of the furnishings, including white marble floors. In the dining area is a striking ebony table surrounded by eight white-upholstered chairs. Immense sliding glass doors open to the front terrace, which stretches the entire width of the facade. On the terrace are two plush chaises longues and a teak table where up to 12 guests may dine in the sunlight or under the shade of an electrically operated awning.

The focal point of the living room is the black marble fireplace, around which are grouped a white sofa, armchairs and a glass-top coffee table. In one corner is a widescreen TV with satellite reception and DVD player. This is a comfortable yet sophisticated room, ideal for relaxing with a book or settling down to watch a movie, and equally suitable for an informal cocktail gathering or a formal dinner party.

The kitchen is a long and warmly decorated room with marble floors, tile inlays, rust-red marble counters and, for breakfast, a marble-topped table and four director’s chairs. There is a double sink and a full assortment of high-quality appliances, including an electric wall oven, stove with three electric and one gas burner, two-door refrigerator, dishwasher and a microwave oven. Two buffets hold a generous quantity of dishes and serving pieces.

Four guest bedrooms are on the ground floor, the smallest of these being most appropriate for a teenager or staff person. Each bedroom has a definite color scheme that is reflected in the bedspreads and window treatments, and each has individually controlled air conditioning and heat. Each bedroom also has plenty of closet storage space, bedside tables with reading lamps, and large windows with views onto the grounds.

The first ground-floor guest bedroom, decorated with soft whites and yellows, has twin beds and, just next to it on the hall, a bathroom with double basins and a tub with overhead shower. The WC is across the hall adjacent to the kitchen.

The second bedroom, spacious and especially striking, has twin beds that can be made up separately or joined to form a king-sized bed. The third, somewhat smaller, has a 140cm (55” across) double bed, while the fourth bedroom, the smallest and most simply furnished, has a single bed in a wrought-iron frame. These three bedrooms use a tiled bathroom at the end of the hall with a stall shower and a separate WC.

Also at the end of the hall is a utility room with an American-style washing machine and a bathroom vanity with mirror. While there is no dryer in the house, guests may ask to use the laundry facilities in the main house, where there are a washing machine and separate tumble dryer. Alternatively, the caretaker can do laundry at a reasonable hourly rate.

The bedrooms on the ground floor are all attractive and welcoming. What elevates Villa Tropezienne into jetset territory are the stunning bedroom suites on the middle and upper levels, each of which can function as a master bedroom.

The suite on the middle level has a built-in king-sized bed and an obvious focal point: a picture window and sliding-glass doors that open onto a tiny balcony overlooking the sea. There is a sitting area with a white sofa and table. The pale blue carpet and contemporary art on the walls form a pleasing combination with the white bedspread and window drapes. The tiled ensuite bathroom has a tub with wall shower, double basin and WC. Sunlight streaming through the windows emphasizes the breezy beachside ambiance of this lovely suite of rooms.

The master suite on the top level, decorated in a vaguely Oriental style, has a king-sized bed and, up two steps, a compact ensuite bath, finished in cream-colored marble, with a glass stall shower and WC. The suite's crowning feature is its stunning rooftop terrace, which seems so close to the sea that one could almost imagine diving into the water from here. In this large open space are chaise longues and, set back from the edge of the terrace, a built-in bench with cushions and a small table. Apart from taking one's morning coffee or sunbathing au naturel, the terrace is the ideal place for pre-dinner cocktails while watching the yachts and sailboats in the bay.

Another ideal place for cocktails is the extraordinary pool house, which at Villa Tropezienne is more luxuriously furnished than many villas offered for rental in Saint-Tropez.

The pool house two salons. The outdoor salon, which virtually borders the sea, is furnished with wicker tables and chairs with comfortable cushions. A sliding glass door opens to the inside salon, which is enclosed on three sides, with the fourth side open to the swimming pool. Here is a table for four, several sitting areas and a wrought-iron daybed. The compact but beautifully finished kitchen has a refrigerator, four-burner ceramic cooktop, dishwasher and sink and a full complement of dishes and barware. There is also a bathroom with stall shower and WC.

The 6 m X 13 m (20’ X 42.5’) pool is surrounded by a flagstone deck and has a full complement of chairs and parasols. A rock wall separates the pool from the sea below. (The wall is low, about shin-high, so as not to interrupt the view. Because it could present a hazard for young guests the owners of Villa Tropezienne decline to accept children under 10 years old.)

Beyond the pool are a gate and several stairs down to the small spit of sandy beach and the dock, which is shared with the neighboring property. Water taxis come right to the dock to pick guests up. Summer renters who stay for a month have the possibility of using the owner's sport boat for a day’s excursion. The beach is quite narrow, and a better choice for those who long for a relaxing day with sand between the toes is the private beach of a nearby small hotel that lies along the road going leading to the villa.

With the many comforts and amenities of Villa Tropezienne, it would be easy to pass all of one's vacation on the property enjoying to the fullest its pool and tennis court and other fine amenities. But for those who can summon the courage to leave the good life at the villa there are distractions galore in the region. Among these are the excellent golf course at nearby Beauvallon, the ancient villages of Grimaud and Ramatuelle a few kilometers away, and the hill villages, vineyards and historic sites of the Varoise arrière-pays to the north, including the incredibly moving American World War II cemetery at Draguignan. In the summer there are countless art exhibits, concerts and festivals that take place in Saint-Tropez and its environs every day and evening.

Clearly there is much to be done - and not done - while vacationing at Villa Tropezienne. Those lucky enough to enjoy this wonderful property should prepare themselves for one of their best and most memorable vacations ever.