Villa Mirella is the quintessential Provencal villa. This seven-bedroom masterpiece has that gloriously relaxed, warm feeling, with a delicate balance of traditional and modern to create the perfect French Riviera hideaway. Welcoming up to 16 guests, it offers privacy and tranquillity within a magical location surrounded by mature gardens. The villa looks as if a 19th-century watercolour has come to life, with golden light sparkling from a languid blue pool and the scent of thyme and lavender filling the air.

The exclusive gated community of Domaine de la Belle Isnarde is a private estate just five minutes away from the Place des Lices in St Tropez. A ten-minute drive brings you to the sugar-soft sands of Tahiti Beach, or refresh your tennis skills at the Route des Plages tennis club 4km away. A short stroll into St Tropez town centre opens up a world of possibilities for gourmet dining and boutique shopping.

From its louvred shuttered doors and windows to the magnificent covered terrace that runs almost the entire length of the first floor, Villa Mirella is everything you could ever wish for in a Riviera retreat. The soothing living spaces are filled with rattan furniture and decorated in neutral tones, infusing them with a deep sense of serenity. The indoor dining area is intimate and cosy, but for the true wow factor, the opal-blue dining table on the upstairs balcony has to be the place for those languid evening meals. The kitchen is filled with classic French cabinets and drawers but with a sprinkling of ultra-sleek modern appliances for rustling up family feasts. The bedrooms capture the spirit of the French Riviera, with delicate colours and restorative interiors designed to wrap you in comfort at the end of the day. The garden level offers two bedrooms – one king-size master suite and a second bedroom with two single beds. The ground floor houses the remaining five bedrooms, with three king-size suites, a bedroom with two single beds, and a delightful children’s room with four single beds and its own ensuite.

Outside, the gardens are a dazzling expression of Mediterranean horticulture, with exquisitely manicured lawns leading to beds filled with fragrant flowers. The terrace is a sun trap and the ideal spot for an afternoon snooze, while the large infinity pool invites you to get in a few laps before breakfast. Villa Mirella is a gem where the opulence of old has been effortlessly combined with sophisticated, contemporary touches.