Investment: Provence's ravishing Var hill villages have such pulling power with holidaymakers that a purchase here is as near to a secure investment gamble as you can get.

French developer MGM is marketing a small scheme of apartments in Tourrettes sur Fayence, a pretty pedestrianised village 20 km from Grasse and about an hour from Nice airport. Eight two and three-bedroom apartments are for sale in this stage, priced from €285,000 and €477,000 respectively.

Taking shape just below the village square in Tourrettes, Les Jardins de Manon shares panoramic views of Massif de L'Esterel. Five adjoining buildings - one a conversion - are designed to blend in with ancient village houses, with balconies, terraces and traditional painted shutters.

In contrast, interiors are up-to-the minute and ready to move into, with the addition of beds and sofas. The price includes fitted kitchens and bathrooms, floor and wall tiling and basement parking with lock-up storage.

Oven, hob, fridge and dishwasher are included, main bedrooms come with en suite showers and wardrobes are standard. A typical two-bedroom apartment measures 76.7 sq m ( 826 sq ft)

The terraced grounds dropping down from the village are spacious, considering the site's proximity to the square. These will be planted and lawned, with a communal pool. Annual maintenance charges are expected to be €1,600 for two-bedroom apartments.

Tourrettes' population of just over 2,000 swells in the summer months. A fifteen-minute walk away on the far side of the hill is the busy market town of Fayence. A ready rental market could be expected in high season through agencies specialising in French holiday lets. The eight apartments for sale in this phase of Les Jardins des Manon will be ready to move into by autumn 2006. Construction is under way and one building is almost completed, so prospective buyers can get an idea of how the finished complex will look.

MGM: 0044 20 7494 0706; www.mgmfrenchproperties.com