The property located on a secluded side street in Saint Martin de Ré has been described as an “idyllic setting in the heart of this pretty port town”.

The truly delightful 18th century property, classified by the Batiments de France, is the historic birthplace of General Lapasset, a French general of the 19th century. The interior has been designed by the owner Olivia Le Calvez and interior designer Pierre Yves Rochon, together they have added modern elegance to one of the town’s most beautiful villas. The monochrome pallet used throughout complements the historic character and features of the villa. The nine intimately decorated rooms are light and spacious with each featuring an original working fireplace, perfect for when the autumn nights draw in.

Guests can take in the beautiful garden surroundings at the back of the property whilst enjoying breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea. Evening dining is also available at La Table d’Olivia, the restaurant at Hôtel de Toiras which is just a five minute walk away, through the cobble streets of St Martin.

The gardens at the rear of the property, some of the largest in Saint Martin, are also home to a heated open air 5 x 10 m metre swimming pool, guests can kick back and relax in the serene gardens and feel a million miles away from the hussle and bussle of the town.

For more serious spa junkies, Villa Clarisse will be opening a boutique spa in the Spring of 2012 which will boast two treatment rooms and a hammam, located in the gardens of Villa Clarisse.

City.Mobi

Also in France today, City.Mobi is celebrating the success of its new guide to Paris.

City.Mobi offers the most comprehensive mobile travel guides available, with over 800 cities in 200 countries listed. Each is developed by the City.Mobi team to combine into a single global travel directory.

However, each city retains its own mobile identity via a dedicated domain. Already on offer are Brussels.Mobi, Paris.Mobi, Sanfrancisco.Mobi and Sydney.Mobi.

Paris.city.mobi is the latest in this illustrious line up, offering click to call functionality – which means no scribbling down telephone numbers.

Most entries are also linked to websites where users can quickly access more detailed information if needed.

Other key features include information on accommodation, restaurants, attractions, entertainment, nightlife, shopping, and transport.

City.Mobi guides include user reviews and traveller utilities such as a translation guide, currency converter, news and local weather guide.