Sunday Times - Top 50 Cool Villas

Once the villa is booked, you can start looking forward to summer - so delve into Sean Newsom's pick of Europe's comfiest crash pads

1 Moulin de la Caille, Lot, Sleeps 2

Officially, the Moulin will sleep four (two on a sofa bed), but couples should keep it for themselves. The restored windmill is romantic enough, and the fairy-tale garden has a lavender grove, a boules pitch, a summerhouse and a heated pool. Toulouse airport is a 1hr 40min drive.

A week in high season costs £1,167, a week in mow season £886; 0871 288 4198, purefrance.com;ref 46007


13 Le Domaine de Cyrano, Provence, Sleeps 14

Picture the scene: 13 friends or fovourite family members; 1,000 acres of woodland, gardens and vineyards; two pools; a private cinema; and, to top it all, a country house that has been refurbished at enormous expense. This house-party heaven. Marseilles airport is an hour's drive.

£10,312/£7,648; 0871 288 4198, purefrance.com; ref 83090



Photo: Moulin de la Caille (Ref. 46007)


Photo: Le Domaine de Cyrano (Ref. 83090)

Related links :

• http://www.purefrance.com/46007/holiday-rental-mill.asp
• http://www.purefrance.com/83090/self-catering-rental-country-home.asp