TO GET LOST

Domaine de la Xavolière

Cabris - France

A five-room Provençal retreat hidden at the end of a dirt road, with mountain views, garden scents and the Côte d’Azur close by. The Riviera without the noise.

Countryside

Adults Only

Pet Friendly

Pool

Hammocks

Bike Rental

THE SETTING

Domaine de la Xavolière sits high above the French Riviera, near Cabris and Grasse, in the Préalpes d’Azur Natural Park. It is only around 30 minutes from Cannes and 45 minutes from Nice airport, but the feeling on arrival is very different from the coast: a long dirt road, open mountain views, 10 hectares of private land and the sense of entering a quieter, more secret version of Provence.

The estate sits at around 600 metres above sea level, which gives the place its particular balance. Days are warm and bright, while evenings can be cooler than on the coast. The air is filled with the scents of the hinterland: lavender, thyme, rosemary, broom, pine, oak, olive trees and the perfume plants that have shaped the identity of nearby Grasse for centuries.

The house is a Provençal family property that Stéphanie Larguier has transformed into a small guesthouse after living here with her family for more than 15 years. The renovation took two years and was guided by a clear idea: to keep the old soul of the place, while making it simple, chic, comfortable and romantic. Old stone walls, terracotta floors, antique Spanish doors and handmade tiles have been preserved or carefully introduced, while the decoration brings a softer, more contemporary mood. It is rustic, but not rough. Elegant, but not formal. A retreat between sea and mountains, made for guests who want the light and culture of the Côte d’Azur without staying in the middle of it.

THE ROOMS

Domaine de la Xavolière has five double rooms, each named after a writer connected to Cabris and the surrounding area: Albert Camus, André Gide, André Malraux, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and Paul Valéry.

Four rooms are located upstairs in the main house, while the fifth sits on the ground floor with its own independent entrance. The rooms are between 20 and 30 m² and follow the same natural, mineral palette as the rest of the house. The atmosphere is relaxed and warm. Expect earthy tones, old materials, bohemian touches, antique furniture and bathrooms finished with Mediterranean-style zellige tiles in shades of green, white and grey.

THE FOOD

Depending on the season, breakfast is served outside on the terrace or indoors by the fireplace, using fresh, regional, and seasonal ingredients. The estate’s own hens play a small but charming role here. Their eggs are served at breakfast, often alongside produce from the garden, homemade or local products, coffee, tea and the kind of slow morning that suits the place perfectly.

There is no restaurant at Domaine de la Xavolière. Instead, guests have access to a fully equipped self-service kitchen, useful for preparing simple meals or arranging food delivery from the village of Cabris. Coffee and tea are available throughout the day. Stéphanie also shares recommendations for nearby restaurants, especially in Cabris, Grasse, and the surrounding villages.

THE STAY

The stay at Domaine de la Xavolière is built around the outdoors. The estate covers 10 hectares of private parkland, with terraces, Mediterranean plants, trees, garden corners, hammocks, bees, hens, a vegetable garden and open views towards the mountains.

The heated swimming pool is one of the highlights: large enough for proper swimming, but above all memorable for its setting, with panoramic views and surrounded by untouched nature. There is also a large illuminated pétanque court, an outdoor ping-pong table, terraces for reading or having a drink, and shared indoor spaces, including a living room with a fireplace, a small lounge, and a self-service kitchen. Two electric mountain bikes are available for guests, and the property connects directly to walking routes, including the GR 51.

The domaine also has a clear eco-responsible approach. Photovoltaic panels, careful water and energy management, organic cleaning products, responsible suppliers, composting, recycling, hens, beehives, an organic vegetable garden and a pesticide-free park all form part of the way the place is run.

AROUND DOMAINE DE LA XAVOLIÈRE

Domaine de la Xavolière is well placed for guests who want both the Côte d’Azur and its quieter hinterland. Cabris is only around 3 km away, a medieval village with one of the most beautiful panoramas in the area, looking from the hills towards the coast. Grasse, the world capital of perfume, is around 10 km away and offers perfume houses, old streets, museums and a very different rhythm from the seaside towns.

The location also makes it easy to explore some of the most beautiful villages and landscapes of the Alpes-Maritimes: Gourdon, Saint-Cézaire-sur-Siagne, Valbonne, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Gréolières and the surrounding pre-Alps. The area is excellent for walking, cycling, canyoning, paragliding, golf, tennis and scenic drives.

For a change of atmosphere, the coast is close enough for day trips. Cannes is around 30 minutes away, Nice around 45 minutes, Antibes within easy reach, and Théoule-sur-Mer offers red rocks, coves and a more dramatic seaside setting. Lake Saint-Cassien is also nearby for paddleboarding, canoeing, sailing or a lazy day by the water.

THE OWNERS

Domaine de la Xavolière is very much Stéphanie Larguier’s personal project. After living here with her family for more than fifteen years, she decided to open the house to guests once her children had left for their studies.

Her renovation preserved the estate’s Provençal character while making it more comfortable and refined. The result is simple, chic and romantic without feeling artificial. From the garden to the rooms, from breakfast to the restaurant recommendations, everything carries her way of seeing the place.

Stéphanie’s hosting is part of the experience: warm, present, discreet and deeply connected to the house. She is not just managing a property. She is sharing a place she knows intimately.

GOOD TO KNOW

The property accepts children only from age 12, mainly for safety reasons around the pool and the estate. Pets are on request.

Access is via a 1.5 km dirt road with panoramic views. A car is strongly recommended. Free outdoor parking is available, with two electric charging sockets.

There is no restaurant on site, but guests can use the self-service kitchen or arrange food delivery from Cabris. Coffee and tea are available throughout the day.

Prices start from around €180 per night, depending on season and room type. A three-night minimum stay applies.