Homeowners in France can rent their properties through www.purefrance.com, either for a week or for the whole summer season.
Photo: Maison Donnadieu
A British couple own Maison Donnadieu, which is five miles from Saint Chinian. The country house sleeps 10 and has a private pool for undisturbed summer sunbathing...
Accommodation includes two master suites, four further bedrooms and two bathrooms. Prices start from £1,703 per week to rent Maison Donnadieu this summer.
Photo: Chateau de la Lède
Opt for opulent elegance and rent Chateau de la Lède, also owned by British expats. The country chateau is set in four acres, 40 minutes south of Bergerac.
Prices start from £2,134 to rent and the spacious accommodation will sleep up to 18 adults.
Photo: Le Manoir des Sines
Le Manoir des Sines is available to rent off its expat owners near Montaigu-de-Quercy in south west France. It has a private pool, cinema and jacuzzi hot-tub.
Sebastian Faulks used the region for inspiration while writing Charlotte Gray. Up to 18 can sleep at Le Manoir des Sines and it costs from £2,458 per week to rent this summer.
Photo: Maison Occitane
Maison Occitane has been given a more modern interior by its British owners. It sleeps 10 and is situated half an hour from the Mediterranean coast and two minutes' drive from Le Someil and the banks of the canal du Midi.
There are several sitting and dining areas, including a terrace with table tennis. It costs from £1,707 per week to rent. .
Photo: Domaine de Nérige
We are not sure how the British owners of Domaine de Nérige can bear to tear themselves away from the beautiful property in summer but it is up for rent from £1,873 per week.
There is a large outdoor pool, six bedrooms and a formal French dining room, as well as an outdoor dining terrace.
Photo: Château Mongolfière
Château Mongolfière dates from the early 1800s and retains many of its period features. It is set in nine acres and sleeps 10.
The kitchen is well equipped and you can eat either out on the rear garden terrace, in either of the two living rooms or there is ample space in two family bedrooms for dining.
All four first-floor bedrooms have en suite bathrooms. Château Mongolfière is priced from £1,703 per week to rent.
All pictures: www.purefrance.com
Get your holiday off to an early start and enjoy a 10-minute journey to the airport with an airport hotel booked through Airport Parking and Hotels (APH). An overnight stay at the Arora International (Gatwick) costs from £110 including one week's parking. One-week parking-only packages from £46.96. See www.aph.com or call 01342 859515.

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