Silence first. Then blue.
That particular blue, sharp and deep, settled between the pine trees like it belongs there, visible before you've even set your bag down. Tucked into the heart of the private Gaou Bénat estate, this character-filled mazet sits within the pine forest as though it was always meant to be here: understated, grounded, and with that view over the Mediterranean that stops you mid-sentence.
What happens inside
You step into the veranda, and it's already a statement. Light filters through the pines, the sea stretches out in the background, and the urge to drop everything, right there between the dining table and the lounge corner, is immediate. This is the beating heart of the mazet: the space where days drift by unnoticed and evenings take their time.
Inside, the living room carries the same story, with that same blue presence framed in the background. The sofa bed rounds out the sleeping arrangements, confirming that the mazet comfortably sleeps up to 6 guests without cutting corners on comfort. The kitchen, compact, well-equipped and thoughtfully laid out, has everything you need. Cooking with that view is, frankly, something of a privilege.
For sleeping, two bedrooms: one with a double bed, one with twin beds. A shower room and separate WC keep things flowing smoothly, even with a full house.
And outside? The garden opens onto spaces made for doing very little, very well. The sea, the pines, the stillness: take your pick.
Three reasons to stop hesitating
- A veranda overlooking the Mediterranean, deep in the pine forest: a genuine living space in its own right, equally perfect for a sun-drenched lunch or a slow evening in the cool of the trees
- Rare silence, unspoiled nature: no road noise here, just cicadas and every now and then, the sea
- An authentic mazet in one of the most discreet estates on the French Riviera: the kind of address people keep to themselves
160 hectares, almost all to yourself
The Gaou Bénat estate spans over 160 hectares of preserved natural landscape. A private, gated domain, it enjoys a private beach facing the Îles d'Hyères, where villas built from Bormes dry stone blend seamlessly into the pines and cork oaks. Marked "Gaou Piétons" footpaths wind through the estate, leading down to the beach on foot. The sailing club offers lessons as well as dinghy, paddleboard and kayak rentals. Tennis courts complete the picture. A protected, monitored setting where nature takes over the moment the gate closes behind you.
Where exactly are you ?
Just 2.5 km from the estate, Bormes-les-Mimosas offers its beaches, coastal path walks, and a market worth waking up for. Further down, Le Lavandou and its sandy beaches, Saint-Clair, Aiguebelle, Cavalière, beckon with water in every shade of blue. From Le Lavandou's harbour, daily ferries run to Porquerolles and Port-Cros, and the full range of water sports is on offer: waterskiing, diving, kayaking, boat hire. A generous, just-wild-enough stretch of coastline, and all of it within easy reach.
A few things worth knowing :
- Pets are more than welcome, as long as they appreciate a sea view too (€35/stay off-season, €35/week in high season)
- Parking on the estate is free and unrestricted, good news for the ice cream budget
- The mazet rewards the effort: there are plenty of steps to navigate on the way. Your calves will thank you; your knees will appreciate the heads-up
- To enter the private domain of Gaou Bénat, a 50€ badge must be purchased at the entrance to the domain. A deposit of 20€ is also required
- Key collection is at the SELECT'soHOME agency in Bormes-les-Mimosas, a great excuse to pick up a few local tips while you're there
Already sorted, before you arrive
At SELECT'soHOME, everything is taken care of so you can focus on what actually matters: beds made on arrival, household linen provided, end-of-stay cleaning included. No chores, no unpacking onto cold sheets. And to make the stay truly your own, optional extras are available on request: plancha, paddleboard, baby kit... Because the best holidays are the ones where you forgot nothing, and planned even less.
