Var Holiday Apartment in Aups, Provence, France Reviews

This lovely old former olive mill is an excellent retreat if you’re looking for a relaxing break in the beautiful Provençal countryside. The location, in a gently rising cul de sac where 4 olive mills originally stood, is ideal for getting away from it all without being more than five minutes’ walk from the heart of the village with its medieval streets, shops and restaurants (our particular favourite was the Auberge de la Tour).

The gîte is well equipped, and furnished throughout in the local style. The owner, Michael, whether in residence next door or on the telephone from England (all landline calls are free of charge from La Cascade), is helpful and friendly and is a mine of information about the local area. In addition there are stacks of leaflets and books to help you plan your itinerary.

There are one or two things which we would recommend to enhance any future stay in this otherwise beautiful house and, having spoken with Michael, we know he has these ‘on the radar’. The provision of a washing machine would help hugely when planning which clothes to bring. Trips to the local launderette are not something which everyone would wish to include in one’s holiday. The TV (complete with a multitude of French and English satellite channels) could perhaps be moved out of the kitchen-diner and into the living room to enable one to watch in greater comfort. Finally, accessibility to two of the property’s three patio areas could be improved.

However, our overall impression of the property and its situation is positive and we thank Michael for his much-appreciated contribution to the success and pleasure of our stay.