Step inside a Provençal home of sublime character

The Location

Each spring, the fields framing the quintessential township of Tourrettes-sur-Loup flush amethyst with blooms. The ‘Violet Village’, as it is locally known, is an inland treasure – set between the Riviera’s mountainous interior and the shoreline of the Côte d’Azur. Long the enclave of artists and artisans, the village brims with studios and tiny galleries that infuse the labyrinthine streets with a free-spirited sensibility.

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Perched amid the scented hillsides, just a short and peaceful bicycle ride away, is Les Virettes – a Provençal home of sublime character. The latest addition to the August Signature Collection, this majestic villa commands heart-stirring views across the verdant plains to the Mediterranean Sea. Discover a sanctuary from which to explore the tranquil pleasures of Tourrettes-sur-Loup and the glitter of the Côte d’Azur beyond.

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The Home

Loved by the same family for five decades, this five-bedroom, late-20th-century treasure possessed a rich, arcadian splendour that had dulled over time. Set across two floors with a capacious, open-plan layout, crystalline pool, weathered wooden beams and an imposing original fireplace, this charming villa provided the perfect canvas from which to showcase the August take on Provençal living.

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The most enchanting feature of this home is its Riviera view – amplified by sprawling outdoor terraces and floor-to-ceiling windows, shuttered in the archetypal French style. Choosing a gentle, earthy palette of ecru, oatmeal, sage and white, we pulled focus to the home’s traditional details and enhanced its light-flooding south-westerly orientation. Clean, angular lines and generous proportions were complemented with plush and textural elements and a meticulously sourced blend of contemporary and antique furnishings. Relaxation and entertainment are at the heart of this family home, and we carefully balanced the space to indulge both in equal measure.

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Living

Gifting the best of both worlds – a vast, open-plan living space on the first floor and a secluded ‘snug’ on the ground floor – this home epitomises the perfect whole-family getaway.  

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Bathed in light for most of the day, the larger first-floor living space was enhanced with crisp-white walls and a light, tonal palette that amplifies a sense of airiness while showcasing the traditional wood and brickwork. Reflecting its two distinct functions, the room is divided into a cosy seating area of pillowy couches and armchairs – focused around the original hearth – and a place to gather as a family at the generous, rustic-wood table. Setting the mood for ambient entertaining, antique gold wire pendant lights illuminate the dining space.
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Creating a seamless coalescence between living and entertaining spaces, we mirrored the dining area on the sweeping upper terrace, while blurring the boundary between the interior and the exterior with soft-green shutters.

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The second, ground-floor ‘snug’ serves as a hideaway in which to steal a peaceful moment. Furnished with plump seating, a tactile rug and a large contemporary coffee table, the space invites you to recline with a novel or indulge in wandering conversation during the heat of the afternoon.    

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Kitchen

Adjoining the living space is an ample kitchen, which was renovated with indulgent white marble worktops, dove-grey tiling and olive-green carpentry – pulling light and a touch of colour into the previously shadowy space. Equipped with all the mod cons, this thoughtfully planned kitchen caters to every culinary whim.

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Sleeping

Occupying a prized position on the first floor, the bright master suite is awash with light from its ceiling-height French windows. Opening onto a balcony boasting endless views over the Riviera, the scene is set for an early morning or twilight repose. A beautiful, hand-carved antique wardrobe – the centrepiece of the room – infuses the space with nostalgia, but we kept the decor simple here to showcase the landscape. Next door, the generous primary bathroom offers a restorative refuge, with a large bathtub beckoning a long, luxurious soak.  

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A further four bedrooms – each amply proportioned – occupy the ground floor. Bathed in gentle tones and furnished with queen-sized beds dressed with 400-thread-count linens, each room is designed with serenity in mind. From French-striped curtains to softly upholstered headboards and vessels filled with dried flowers, the villa’s Provençal surrounds are written into every detail. Two family-sized bathrooms and an en-suite offer space and sanctuary for every member of the family to refresh and rejuvenate.

Socialising

Entertaining comes easily in this Signature home, though the seamless segue between interior and exterior spaces wasn’t celebrated in the villa’s original design. Enveloping one side of the home, the sheltered first-floor terrace absorbs the captivating view, making a sublime setting for al fresco dinners. Stepping from the ground-floor sun deck to the azure-blue pool – secluded within lush, manicured gardens – you are transported to Cannes, yet far from the madding crowd.

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These shared spaces are one of this home’s highlights, and through a delicate interweaving of design details, the Rivieran spirit of social connection flows effortlessly from room to terrace.

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The finishing touches

Inspired by the Southern French sun, we chose a soft, natural palette complemented by understated florals – a nod to the violet-filled fields of Tourette-sur-Loup. Traditional French furnishings punctuate each of the spaces and touches of brushed brass add a luxurious, contemporary note. We finished the home with romantic details – diaphanous linen curtains that billow in the Mediterranean breeze, understated artworks and textural, pastel fabrics that invite you to nestle.

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Embrace the romance of the French Riviera. Speak to our expert Advisory team and start your August journey today.  

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