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.
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!
France is a country full of places to visit with very diverse regions. Here are the Top 4 preferred regions for French holidays for the summer of 2021. Choose between the ocean in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, or the Mediterranean in Occitanie, in Provence. Or even a holiday in the heart of historic sites such as the Loire chateaux.
Le Manoir de Fouilloux lies in soft rolling countryside in the North Easterly corner of the Dordogne, close to the small town of Saint-Aulaye; in the beautiful Dronne Valley. She sits within a 40 minute drive to the world famous vineyards of Saint-Émilion and Pomerol.
Welcome to Aude! You are spending your holidays in Occitanie, so do not miss the unmissable attractions of Aude. A large choice of activities and visits are available to you during your stay. Discover the City of Carcassonne, the Canal du Midi, the Cathar Castles, the vineyards and tourist villages.
Welcome to the Gard! In this article, you will discover the Gard, passing through the Cévennes to the Camargue via Nîmes and the Pont du Gard, as well as the most beautiful villages in France. And why not book your rental for your next vacation in the south.
The lovely unspoilt beach resort in the Languedoc, La Franqui beach is a hidden gem, half an hour from Narbonne. Visit for a relaxed vibe and a lovely, large sandy beach. La Franqui has remained unspoilt and not overdeveloped. You will find a huge sandy beach which is never crowded even in the height of summer.
If you are on vacation for a short or long stay in Hérault, we have prepared a list of must-see sites for you. The Hérault is rich in its geographical location... and in its many curiosities, not to be missed. The Gorges de l'Hérault, Cirque de Navacelles, Le Pont du Diable, Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, Sète...
Villa holidays are not just about villas... There was a time when a villa holiday in France meant exactly that; self-catering accommodation in a modern villa. Now, the term 'Villa Holiday' encompasses a vast and diverse range of styles of fabulous holiday properties throughout all regions of France...
Pure France's visitors to Le Cube often choose the property because of its unique design in such an extraordinary location. Once inside, though, their attention shifts to the owner’s collection of contemporary art. The downstairs bedrooms feature original paintings by James Hull – an artist who, though heavily influenced by the St Ives school in the UK also worked in France toward the end of his life.
A typical historic village that traverses time. With its medieval streets, its red marble quarries, its AOC wine and outdoor activities. In a calm and tranquil location, a few minutes from the City of Carcassonne. Enjoy the heart of the village or the hikes in the surrounding countryside.
Driving around the French countryside, you'll often see these charming quirks of architecture; pigeonnier towers. Different shapes, different sizes, different designs - each one unique. What are they ? Where did they originate from ? And two beautifully restored pigeonnier towers that you can stay in.
Take an afternoon stroll across Narbonne's saltwater lagoons. A change from the beach, this offers a completely different landscape and is great for wildlife lovers and those wanting to get away from the crowds of the beaches. Just 7km outside the city of Narbonne in the Languedoc-Roussillon region, the village of Bages offers an interesting alternative to a visit to the local beach.
The Moulin de Souquet is an original mill close to the small rivier called La Barguelonne, dates back to the 18th century and fully refurbished in 2016. This sunny house is 4km from the centre of Castelnau-Montratier, historical village famous for his small streets and the Sunday Market on the beautiful market place.
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