Mas des Grands Pins

Elegant French Country Manor Perfect for a Crowd

An elegant two-story villa tucked into a fragrant, manicured garden in the South of France near Montpellier, this traditional country manor is a study in timeless, well-preserved beauty. Under a traditional tiled roof, the villa features tall, arching French windows and doors, powder blue shutters, wrought-iron fixtures and smooth stone floors, plus a classic, vine-clad façade, and a gigantic country hearth, recalling a gentler bygone era, now dressed up for modern, outdoor-focused living.

This is classic South of France. A heavy wooden door marks the home’s entry. Elegant, oversized arching French doors fling open to the garden. There’s a massive stone fireplace in one of the living rooms, and the two kitchens present a merging of old and new, one with a traditional iron stove and country style-pantry storage, another with all modern amenities and a sleek, built-in look, with a prep island with stool seating.

Outdoors, the storybook look continues, with a grand lawn encircled by centenary olive trees, stately cypress, and pines. There’s a pair of parasol-shaded terraces with sofa seating and a dining terrace set with a generous wooden farm table. The pool is a Gatsby-eque affair, long and luxurious, with a stone terrace, umbrella shaded loungers and dining area, the latter framed by fragrant beds of rosemary, the open tennis court terraced above.

Layout

Ground floor: Two separate kitchens, one dining room, three living areas (one with fireplace, one with TV), three bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms with showers

Second floor: Two double bedrooms, one with sofa bed and kids’ mattresses, one bathroom with shower, one pool table/billiard space

Outdoors: 5,000-square-meter garden enclosed by centenary olives and other tall trees, 14m x 6m unheated pool, terrace, sun loungers/umbrellas, covered dining area, seating area, unenclosed tennis court, boules pitch

Around

The tranquil village of Montferrier-sur-Lez is located walking distance from the house, its charming center offering a weekly market, two bakeries, and other local shops such as a butcher, café/bar and grocery store. Perched on an extinct volcano, the village is crafted from iron-grey basaltic stone buildings topped by traditional red-tiled roofs. A 12th-century castle (and great views) top the village, and from the castle terraces, you can admire local mountains, the Pic Saint Loup, The Hortus, and even the Cévennes range in the distance to the north.

The local Fabre Museum of Montpellier Mediterranean Metropolis is located in the town, housing a collection of paintings by François-Xavier Fabre, a cook turned painter. The Saint Etienne church holds center court in the village, with a crenellated tower, and the village has a youthful feel, given its home to several research campuses. The town’s Rue du Four is famed for its circular shape and fortified houses.

Canyoning in the nearby, craggy limestone Canyon du Diable, within the strikingly scenic Gorges de l’Heralt, is an exhilarating outdoor experience that includes an aquatic trail, jumps, slides, ziplines, rappelling and abseiling. Tamer pursuits such as hiking, wine tastings, and historical village visits are all easily found in the area, too. Montpellier is about 20 minutes from the town by car, with the Mediterranean coast only about 10 minutes further, where you can sunbathe on the beaches of Palavas-Les-Flots or La Grande Motte.

Location

Montferrier-sur-Lez, Hérault, Occitanie, France. Nearest airport: Montpellier (20 minutes)

Best time to visit

April to October