Richard cycled by and checked the pool at first light as he does most mornings. Without waking a soul this ex-adman living in the sun is the best of hosts, never seen or heard but available if needed.
By 7.30, the sun is well up and the house begins to rise. Adults for a quick pre-breakfast dip, teenagers sleep off a long late night. This morning we lay the table on the terrace outside the drawing room overlooking a distant valley populated by miniature cows and tiny farmhouses. They look as it they have been sleeping in the sun for hundreds of years, as indeed they have.
Having travelled all over the World for work, there was something about Provence and the South of France which remained with the owner of Villa Coste Rousse. Since visiting the area several times on holiday as a child and which inspired her and her family to buy a second home in the unspoiled village of Callas deep in rural Provence.
Callas with its narrow, cobbled streets, fountains (16 in total!) and charming shady square is perched high above the Gorges du Pennafort and the vineyards of Provence. Despite remaining almost unchanged for centuries, the village has a small grocery, an amazing boulangerie, a traditional tabac and four excellent restaurants. There's also a market every Saturday. All of which are within walking distance of Villa Coste Rousse. What better way to start the day than absorbing the wonderful views from the balcony, whilst tucking into freshly baked croissants?
Always associated with summer holidays, think Côte d’Azur and you imagine (or remember!) long lazy days on the lounger by the pool or on the beach. Strolling on La Croisette before treating yourself to a stunning little something from rue d’Antibes, or enjoying a beautifully chilled rosé over a sumptuous lunch in one of the medieval hillside villages.
Maison Montratier, completely refurbished in traditional architectural style, accommodates eight guests.
Guests will enjoy a fully equipped kitchen, a spacious salon and 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms and a private swimming pool set in open countryside in Tarn-et-Garonne.
100 year old barn gets a modern makeover in the Midi-Pyrénées. The owner of Maison de Saint Jean shares how she discovered this wonderful 100 year old barn and restored it to a stunning and contemporary space, now a 4 bed holiday rental home in the Midi-Pyrénées with heated swimming pool.
Lagrasse is considered among the list of the most beautiful villages in France, with its ancient ramparts, its bridge, its abbey, and the Notre Dame du Carla chapel...
We set off to explore this pretty village, an architectural gem from medieval times, located in the heart of Corbières, Occitanie.
Cannes is known for its beaches, glitzy shopping and of the course the annual film festival. But behind all the glamour lies the tiny town of Le Suquet, where it all started.
Le Suquet, situated on the hilltop overlooking Cannes and the bay, is a warren of tiny streets and alleyways with the lovely, colourful old fishermen's houses.
The Languedoc region in the South of France is renowned not only for its Cathar castles, but also for its Roman history and antiquities left behind from an occupation stretching over 500 years. Today's visitor can still enjoy the sights of magnificent amphitheatres in Nîmes and Arles, the Pont-du-Gard aqueduct and remnants of the Via Domita, a Roman super highway connecting Rome right through to Spain.
Nestled in a private 15-acre mountain vale just outside one of the most 'beautiful villages in France'. It includes a private pool, kid-friendly bedrooms and a setting to fall in love with.
Bordered on one side by a gentle mountain stream, with small cascades and rock-pools, and on the other by gradually sloping rock terraces covered in aromatic herbs and olive trees, this rare property has been stylishly renovated and is exceptional both inside and out.
It's not just the rental, although it is a gorgeous, restored cottage in the Périgord Noir set within the peaceful grounds of a small 17th century manor house that was formerly the courthouse for a nearby château.
Both cottage and manor are constructed in the local golden limestone with traditional stoned-tiled 'lauze' roofs and stone window surrounds, typical of the old local architecture. It is set in spacious, leafy grounds with areas for outdoor dining, a very large, private swimming pool and lovely views of the surrounding tree-lined hillside.
For years we had dreamed of giving up our hectic lives in the UK and running gîtes in France. Holidays were spent in various areas of France trying to decide where it would be best to start our new life. In 2010 we found what could be our ideal new home and gîtes near Castres in the Languedoc region in South-West France. To make sure we booked a weeks holiday to enable us to get to know the gîtes and the area.
This half timbered house, dating from the 16th century, appears on the French Cassini map, the first general map of the Kingdom of France. After the décimation of the population during the 100 years war between the French and English in the 16th century, migration from the West of France and the Haute Auvergne / Quercy was encouraged, bringing this unique style of house building to the Agen region.
While on vacation on the Côte d'Azur, Pure France suggests that you visit the Matisse museum in Nice. Henri Matisse, a French painter resided in Nice and died there. From fauvism to his cut-out paper collages, discover this genius artist. Andy Warhol declared in 1956 "I want to be Matisse".
Love at first sight, yes it's real – or it was for my husband and I… Truly, we went out for dinner and came back having bought a house. We'd always fancied trying to afford a second home, somewhere to escape to with a kinder climate but otherwise all the benefits of home, no compromise.
What's behind that door, we asked the owner of what eventually became Maison Tigre, looking at a small, badly fitted wooden door at the end of the hallway. We knew there was some sort of building next to the main house but had no idea what it was or what state it was in. 'Oh you can’t go in there,' she said 'it's far too dangerous! It used to be the village cobblers but the roof and floors have collapsed and it's just a pile of rubble.'
How to make your holiday rental house a home. Make the most of your self catering family holiday house by making it feel like a home away from home.
The owner of Château Monjardin in the Loire Valley describes how you can make your holiday house feel more like a home for your family during your stay. Add fresh flowers, cook using local produce and make the space your own.
The first time we saw Le Saint-Martin, it was from the air – courtesy of a pilot friend of ours. Our family had lived in Paris for many years, and it was our first trip to the Dordogne. We had already fallen in love with the sheer beauty of Southern Périgord – the gently rolling hills, the lush vineyards, the fairy-tale castles steeped in history and the unspoilt Bastide villages.
Discover Languedoc wine making region. The house has been in our family since 1816. After we took it over in 2012, our project was to make it our perfect holiday retreat. We wanted to find the ideal combination between the charm of an old château-like house and modern comfort.
Location, location, location, the estate agents are always right and location is absolutely critical! The 'Côte d'Azur', that supposedly perfect sun-drenched coastline, is not what it was 50 years ago: it's overbuilt with concrete and empty beaches are almost impossible to find.
The Lubéron is located between the departments of Vaucluse and Alpes-Hautes-Provence. It is a mountainous massif very popular in Provence, which combines a well-preserved cultural and architectural heritage.
Whether you are on holiday in the Lubéron for a long time or for a shorter stay. Discover our itinerary of places not to be missed.
Holiday rental homes with private pools in the south of France.
As soon as the confinement is over, wouldn't you want to come and spend a holiday in the south of France? With family or friends, nothing like renting a holiday home with a private swimming pool to enjoy the sun and relaxation.
Built in manoir-style of the Perigord region, this gracious home offers everything you need for a perfect French vacation and is rich with local history. It was built along an ancient Roman road and once belonged to the diocese of Monflanquin and in the past the canon used to live here.
A few minutes from our offices... Carcassonne.
Carcassonne is located at the top of a hill in Occitanie in the south of France, is famous for its medieval citadel, La Cité, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997.
Discover the history of Carcassonne in video.
Château Entre-Deux-Mers is the ideal holiday destination for anyone looking for peace and relaxation, gastronomy and culture, authenticity and modern comfort.
The 18th century castle accommodating 12 people underwent full renovation and has been furnished with taste and abundant attention to detail. A cool mix of traditional style and contemporary chic. You immediately feel right at home!
Thomas Pesquet, the astronaut who makes us dream, has returned to space for a 6-month mission.
Thomas Pesquet, our astronaut at heart
Thomas Pesquet was born in 1978. He is the 10th French to conquer space and the 2nd to make a long stay.
First in 2016, for the Proxima mission. He left on board the Soyuz MS-03 from the Baikonur launch base in Kasakhstan and joined the International Space Station (ISS).
