From its elevated position with a majestic sea shore at its feet and, at its centre, a superb steep summit, the medieval village of Grimaud overlooks its famous neighbour, Saint-Tropez, the legendary venue for partying and enjoying life's pleasures by day and by night. Here, everything is about authenticity, the fine art of living, calm and happiness. Even the simplest of days takes on the allure of a living dream. The sun, the song of the cicadas, the umbrella pines, the beautiful blue of the sky and the sea, are all accompanied by a Provencal accent and the scent of thyme and rosemary. Here, amid truly natural surroundings, COGEDIM is creating a private domain with 18 typical Provencal country houses ('bastides'), with private swimming pools, terraces and wooded gardens shielded by hedges. Spacious homes equipped with luxury amenities to enjoy life like no place else on earth.

The surrounding area is rich in heritage and natural beauty. "Domaine Saint Antoine" is located on the outskirts of the Plaine des Maures and the fringes of the Bois de Rouquan, Le Domaine de Saint Antoine boasts unique features due to its acid soil, Mediterranean climate and a major hydrographical network. Blessed with exceptional natural and biological riches, the site itself is a protected domain. La Plaine des Maures offers all the advantages of a life lived in the great outdoors: walking, cycling, horseback riding, observing the flora and fauna, in particular the jeweled lizards and Hermann’s tortoises (a very rare species). Frequent botanical walks are organized to explore the vegetation that flourishes here. Umbrella pines and cork oaks grow alongside varieties of orchids and pitch pines – producing the same famous pitch that was once used to caulk planking, waterproof bridges and strengthen the resistance of rigging. Indeed, here in the Bois du Rouquan, visitors can see one of the beautifully restored pitch ovens that form an integral part of Provencal history and heritage, along with many other objects and implements.

Against the backdrop of the foothills of the Massif des Maures, looking out on to the splendours of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, lies the medieval village of Grimaud. Its colourful narrow streets, shady squares, vines that produce wine of character, and scented valleys stretch down to the shore where you will find Port-Grimaud, with its superb lifestyle and spectacular Mediterranean scenery.

Fashions and starlets come and go... but the sparkle of what is known as the jewel of the French Riviera never loses its fascination. Its timeless charm has the power to seduce all year round. Pulsating under the summer sun, life revolves around the beaches of golden sand, shopping, clubbing and the immaculate yachts in the harbour, which host the most glamorous parties on the Riviera. In an authentic setting, it offers its privileged guests Provencal markets, world famous cuisine, beautiful countryside and shaded coves - a glimpse of paradise, here on earth.

Halfway between the old village of Grimaud and Port-Grimaud, set back from the road leading to the beach, the 18 Provencal Bastides are spread out over the hillside. The natural curves of the land have been used to create Les Bastides de Grimaud, letting nature provide tranquillity and light. Between the branches of the pines and cork oaks and a magnificent cypress tree reaching up towards the sky, there are glimpses of a tiled roof, a glint of sun reflected off a wall... the Bastides nestle amongst the trees, cocooned in their gardens. Positioned around a private swimming pool, each Bastide has its own unique space with privacy guaranteed. Traditional roof tiles, Génoise eave detailing, tiled terraces, wooden shutters and wrought iron railings, lend a Provencal feel to the traditional style of architecture, in keeping with the surroundings.

An architect from Saint Tropez with an excellent reputation and who has won awards for several public and private building projects over the last 25 years, François Vieillecroze is an expert in prestige developments that respect Provencal architectural values. Here he has designed a 4.7-hectare estate at the heart of vineyards and Mediterranean vegetation typical of the area, including the surrounding protected woods, which belong to the estate and guarantee that the surroundings will remain unspoilt.

The Bastides are accessed by private roads, secured by gates and screened by hedges, leading to a private garage. Passing through the elegant front door with its solid wood decor, into the entrance hall for added privacy, you reach the reception-dining room with its large bay windows overlooking the south-facing terrace. Under the restful shade of a pergola or awning, the terrace with its proximity to the pool is the ideal place for relaxation.

At garden level, a master bedroom with its en-suite bathroom and dressing room opens out directly on to the garden. Each Bastide has a fully-fitted kitchen with granite work surfaces as well as an adjacent utility room. Upstairs, any of the 3 attractive bedrooms, each fully independent with its own en-suite bath or shower room, would make an ideal room to be used by guests.

The materials and the fixtures and fittings, which have been selected both for their appearance and their quality, provide optimum levels of comfort all year round: electric shutters on the bay windows, pre-installation for a fireplace in the living room, vanity basin units and heated towel rails...Videophone entry system, remote control garage doors and integrated alarm systems ensure safety and privacy.

• By car: From the A8 motorway from Lyon and Marseille, take the Le Cannet des Maures exit via La Garde-Freinet, From Nice and Italy, take the Le Muy exit via Sainte-Maxime. From Toulon, the A57 / A570 motorway, take the Hyères exit. 8 km from Saint-Tropez.
• By train: Hyères SNCF railway station 47 km away, with high speed trains to Lyon, Paris and north Europe. Local, national and international trains. Saint-Raphael station 32 km away, with a connecting bus service.
• By air: Toulon-Hyères and Nice Côte d’Azur airports, Numerous national and international routes. Saint-Tropez - La Mole airport for private planes only. Heliport in Grimaud with services to Marseilles, Cannes, Nice, Monaco and Toulon.