Simpson Travel (020 8003 6557, www.simpsontravel.com), the specialist, independent, luxury villa and boutique hotel operator, has expanded its French portfolio for 2017, with the addition of fifteen new properties, predominantly in the Provence region.   Now featuring some 50 properties across the country, Simpson's French portfolio offers a holiday for every taste and style. Farmhouses, village houses and beach retreats sit alongside grander châteaux, country Manoirs and villas, with destinations ranging from the glamorous Côte d'Azur and Provence in the South to the wonderful Vendée coastline and the much-loved Dordogne.  Whether clients are looking for a spacious family holiday home, a fairytale French Manoir or the chance to sample some Gallic gastronomic delights, there is plenty to choose from.  Highlights of the new additions are as follows:

 La Bastide du Paon Bleu:  A Family Classic

Families looking for the perfect French escape need look no further than the exceptional La Bastide du Paon Bleu in Provence.  Translating as 'Blue Peacock', and named after the peacock in an enclosure in its grounds, this stylish and spacious five-bedroom property is set in some 20 acres of gardens with ample room for one or two families or perhaps a multi-generational gathering.  Dating from 1805, the original house has now been sympathetically restored with fresh, contemporary interiors, whilst the classic 19th century exteriors have still been preserved.

Everything has been thought of for the perfect family holiday.  The freeform pool has gently sloping sides, ideal for toddling into, whilst the swings, trampoline and Wendy House are like having your own private park on site. There is even a hen and peacock enclosure.  The home cinema is a treat for all ages, whilst for grown-ups, the Jacuzzi and romantic pool pavilion will undoubtedly hold a certain appeal.  

The location also takes some beating.   La Bastide du Paon Bleu is situated between Lambesc and Rognes, in the beautiful Aix countryside, with the lively town of Aix en Provence just 18km away.   Also worth a visit is Lourmarin, one of the most beautiful villages in France (20km away) and the village of Lambesc, just 4km away, has weekly farmers' and traditional Provençal markets as well as plenty of shops.

Le Diamant Noir: A Chic Provençal Retreat

The new Le Diamant Noir offers a decidedly chic take on a Provençal retreat.  This exceptional villa was entirely renovated in 2016 and now boasts tastefully understated 21st-century interiors to complement its stunning countryside setting and spectacular jet-black swimming pool. With four bedrooms in the main house and a further detached one-bedroom annexe, the villa offers flexible accommodation for two families or a party of adults interested in walking, cycling or just enjoying the tranquil beauty of the setting.  Tucked away at the end of a 1km, unmade road, the villa looks out over landscaped gardens to a seemingly endless vista of olive groves, forest and distant mountains. Picture windows and French doors bring the views closer still, and add to the sense of seclusion.

Les Amandiers: Best for Gourmands

With an impressive three Michelin-starred restaurants to choose from, the Provençal village of Gordes offers rich pickings for anyone looking for a foodie escape.  Set just five minute's walk from the heart of the village, the stylish Les Amandiers, built in traditional dry-stone style, is the perfect base from which to sample them.   Built in a U-shape around its private swimming pool, this three bedroom property has all the charm of an old French farmhouse with tasteful contemporary interiors and spacious open plan living areas. There is plenty of outside space to relax in, with a lovely terrace around the pool and a garden area.

Villa Balinaise:  A Designer Haven

The antithesis of a traditional French country house, this palatial villa fuses Oriental and European elements to create a unique and very luxurious holiday home.  Villa Balinaise is the work of an associate of celebrated architect Jean Nouvel, and for a special celebration, or precious time with friends and family, this is a phenomenal property, within easy reach of Aix-en-Provence.

The key theme throughout is water, with a series of indoor and outdoor pools, fountains and ponds. The décor is largely Bali-inspired, in particular the glassed-in indoor pool area, which has an almost temple-like calm and a vast, intricately-carved day bed. The sense of space is supremely relaxing, yet there is plenty to keep guests active and entertained.  Steps lead from the indoor pool down to a spa area with Hammam and infra-red sauna, and then on to a cinema room with gym equipment.  For sun seekers, the outdoor pool is a full 16m long, surrounded by elegant loungers large enough for two.

The villa is also extremely private.  Set in just over a hectare of enclosed grounds, the five bedrooms are spread out over three distinct sections of the house, including one large en suite double in a detached annexe.  A house this size needs a lot of looking after, so the caretakers live discreetly in a separate building on site, and can arrange a meal service on request.

Le Manoir de St Christophe:  To the Manoir Born

Resembling an artist's impression of a classic French manor house, Le Manoir de St Christophe is built in pale golden stone, flanked by dark cypress trees. Tucked away in the heart of the Dordogne countryside in the Vézère Valley, this lovely property is set in two acres of beautiful gardens and combines a very romantic feel with all the practicalities you could wish for on a family holiday.   It comes complete with a private pool and plenty of outdoor space for playing, eating or just sitting and soaking up the wonderful surroundings where solar lanterns and fairy lights enhance the sense of romance.

The house sleeps up to eight guests in six bedrooms and is the ideal base for one or two families looking for a week or two of fine French living.   The main bedrooms feature Renaissance-inspired fabrics and designs, along with antique furniture, creating a sumptuous but also welcoming feel.  The five bathrooms are all appropriately modern, and there are three top floor bedrooms just perfect for older children looking for a little private space.  Whilst the house has all the space you could wish for, it is also just a five-minute walk from Peyzac-Le-Moustier, where you'll find the essential boulangerie, shop, bar and restaurant.

For bookings call 020 8003 6557 or visit www.simpsontravel.com

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For further media information, please contact:

Sarah Bolam on 07714 337756 or email sarahbolamcommunications@gmail.com or Anthea Yabsley – 0208 578 6777 or email anthea.yabsley@ideal-pr.co.uk 

Notes to Editors

Simpson Travel was established in 2002, yet its heritage predates this by many years. Founder Graham Simpson, a veteran of the travel industry, built up the highly successful Simply Travel in the 1970s with his Greek wife Yianna. From humble beginnings in a flat in Chiswick, it became one of the most respected independent travel companies of its time, renowned for offering authentic rather than 'packaged' holiday experiences, with carefully researched programmes, exceptional product knowledge and service.

In Simpson, he recreated the original ethos of Simply Travel, offering a very personal service, with individually-selected properties, exceptional local knowledge for each destination, a highly experienced team of staff and excellent representatives in resort. Clients booking with Simpson can be safe in the knowledge that their holiday has been created with their needs in mind and each property matched to their individual tastes and requirements. They can also rest assured that they will be really well looked after by the excellent representatives on hand in each resort.

In Greece, destinations for villas and hotels include Corfu, Paxos, Anti Paxos, Kefalonia, Ithaca, Lefkada, Meganissi, Zakynthos, Sivota Skopelos and Crete. In Turkey, there is a choice of villas and some hotels in Akakya, the Bozburun Peninsula, Dalyan, Kalkan, Islamlar, Kaş and Göcek. In Mallorca, choose from villas in Pollença, Puerto Pollença, Fornalutx and Southern Mallorca, whilst in Corsica, there are properties in Porto Vecchio, Bonifacio, The Valinco, The West Coast,  Calvi & The Balagne; Central Corsica, St Florent and Cap Corse, as well as the private island of Cavallo. The French programme includes villas and châteaux across France, with a particular focus on Provence, the Côte d'Azur, the Vendée and the South West/Dordogne area, whilst the 2017 Italy programme includes villas and apartments in Liguria, Tuscany, Umbria and Venice, as well two new boutique Simpson Hotels in Tuscany.