Le Pavillon is a charming, very old three bedroom Farmhouse over three floors, set amidst a number of acres of beautiful countryside; think green fields, aging tractors and fields of poppies - but which is also close enough to a main road to make it easy to find from the airport (Nice is an hour and Marseilles a little more). The house, with its stone walls and floors and provides an often needed cool escape from the heat.

We are a couple and a two year old and Le Pavillon proved to be the perfect backdrop to our first holiday in Provence. Our son was able to run around in total safety enjoying the small brook that runs through the grounds, the swimming pool (with its safety ladder which meant that he couldn't get in without us releasing it), the friendly dogs, the spring and the surrounding nature (he loved collecting snails and flowers in his bucket) - and was so tired by the end of the day that he slept very well each night.

The farmhouse is a short drive from the medieval village, Flayosc and is a great central place from which to explore Provence - we visited places including the dramatically picturesque (and perfect for picnics and swimming) Lac St Croix and Gorges du Verdon and La Callanques (nr Marseilles) easily, as well as the numerous villages like Cortignon and Aups.

The owners (who live on the grounds but in separate buildings) are genuinely helpful, lovely people who always had time to help us with directions and provide advice. They were enormously generous, for example we arrived on Sunday when the shops were shut and they provided us with a hamper to see us through until the next day (it was enough for a few days!).

If you are looking for a relaxing retreat that charms without trying too hard then I can't recommend Le Pavillon highly enough. We are very sad to have returned home.