The south of France has long been a favourite of British tourists, with quaint towns and villages aplenty, a landscape that’s begging to be cycled or hiked and markets full of fabulous food. And, at a push, it can be reached by road and rail if you’re looking to reduce your flying footprint or want the convenience of having your car. Experience the glamour of St Tropez or Cannes on a break with friends, laze on the beaches of the French Riviera with your partner, take a wine-tasting tour of Bordeaux or find a rural spot in Provence among the olive groves for a laid-back family holiday. We’ve selected some of the best villas available in the south of France, ranging from traditional farmhouses or townhouses to luxurious contemporary pads. Most are villas with pools, while some come with top-end extras like games rooms, saunas and the services of a chef.
Main photo: Maison Sebastien, Provence (Oliver’s Travels)
1. Villa Venaissin, L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Provence
Expect tranquillity, traditional styling and a host of mod cons at Villa Venaissin. The beautifully renovated Provencal farmhouse is stone-built with pretty painted shutters and comes with a large garden and inviting countryside beyond. Inside there’s everything from a vaulted dining area to a well-equipped games room. All eight bedrooms are en suite, with two on the ground floor, there is a large salt water swimming pool, and you can relax in the sauna and Jacuzzi room. Nearby is the medieval town of L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, with its twice-weekly markets and many antique shops, while Avignon is only a 45-minute pootle away. Bookings in July and August must be for a minimum of two weeks.
Pool Y
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 18
Price £££
2. The Winery of Canet, Canet d’Aude, Languedoc
Here’s something for wine-lovers: a 200-year-old wine and brandy factory now converted to holiday accommodation. It even has its own honesty wine cellar, stocked with the best Languedoc vintages. The property is accessed through a vineyard and has four elegant bedrooms, a well-equipped kitchen and a raised terrace above a bubbling stream — as well the standouts for children: an infinity swimming pool and table tennis. Located on the edge of the lively village of Canet d’Aude and within a short drive of decent beaches and the shops and restaurants of Narbonne, this is a place that would work well for families and groups of friends alike.
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Pool Y
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 8
Price £
3. Chateau de Baloigne, Aubenas
You don’t get much more dramatic than this historic chateau surrounded by the ruins of a medieval castle. Chateau de Baloigne, in the Ardeche region, is a protected monument that’s been kitted out with modern amenities. There are six bedrooms in the main house, as well as two more in a recently renovated tower, where you can sleep under the stars on summer nights. There’s no pool, but you can swim in the nearby Ardeche river, and the area is renowned for outdoor activities like riding. If you fancy a meal out, the charming village of St Michel de Boulogne is 4km away.
Pool N
Family-friendly Teenagers upwards (not suitable for young children)
Sleeps 15–18
Price £
4. Villa Vogue, Théoule-sur-Mer, Cannes
Oozing contemporary style, and making the most of its sea views, Villa Vogue delivers on the wow factor. Beaches, hillside hikes and the romantic alleys of Le Suquet, with its bars and restaurants, are all within a stone’s throw. Cannes is nearby too. But there’s plenty to keep you at the villa, with a heated pool (and summer kitchen), gym and cinema room, and lovely eating areas — whether on the covered terrace or in the open-plan living space. All six bedrooms are en suite, with two of them in private annexes giving extra privacy.
Pool Y
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 12
Price ££
5. Villa Salesse, Gassin, St Tropez
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Villa Salesse has some real nobility about it, with a broad and handsome façade, marble flooring, a sweeping staircase and statement features including statues of angels in the sitting room. But there’s nothing stuffy about this place in the rolling hills behind St Tropez, which effortlessly combines both antique and modern furnishings. The four en suite bedrooms are air conditioned and the master bedroom has a balcony overlooking the landscaped gardens. Enjoy a sing-song around the piano, laze at the saltwater infinity pool, wander the surrounding vineyards and woods, or explore romantic villages. Villa Salesse feels secluded, but Pampelonne beach is only ten minutes away.
Pool Y
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 8
Price £££
6. La Maison de Goult, Goult, Provence
You’ll find La Maison de Goult in the historic village of Goult; the perfect place to get a real taste of traditional Provençal living. The swimming pool is the star of the show, anchored at the heart of the enclosed courtyard of this elegant townhouse. It works brilliantly, being easily accessible and particularly atmospheric when illuminated by surrounding lights in the evening. The main house, with its chunky stone walls and vaulted ceilings, has three bedrooms and a fabulous roof terrace with views over the Luberon Valley, while there are three separate annexes containing a further four bedrooms, bringing flexible accommodation for families or groups.
Pool Y
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 10
Price ££
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7. Le Mas de Gancel, Vernègues, Provence
This large, ivy-covered house — with 6,000 sq ft of space — can easily accommodate large groups or extended family gatherings. Inside there’s a beautiful kitchen, nine air-conditioned bedrooms, and comfortable living areas, all immaculately decorated in minimalist style. Outside is a stone terrace overlooking the private vineyard, a summer kitchen, and a gated saltwater pool. You’ll find nature trails for walking and cycling, and a bar and restaurants within walking distance, while also in easy reach are tourist favourites like Aix-en-Provence and Avignon. Daily housekeeping is included (except Sundays), and other services (such as a chef) are available at extra cost.
Pool Y
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 18
Price ££
8. Le Roussillon, Canet-en-Roussillon, Perpignan
This once simple Catalan farmhouse has been transformed, using local materials, into a classy villa with contemporary comforts alongside some yesteryear furnishings. It’s ideal for families, with a lawned garden containing a treehouse and wooden climbing frames, and a swimming pool set inside a gated area. Take a taste of wines from the Banyuls-sur-Mer vineyards, or head out to the Pyrenees foothills and the Mediterranean beaches a short drive away. Canet-en-Roussillon has restaurants, shops and a lovely harbour, and Perpignan is nearby. You can also easily make day trips into Spain.
Pool Y
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 14
Price ££
9. Les Flots Bleus, Cassy-les-Bains, Bordeaux
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The flamboyant style of Les Flots Bleus, with its long windows and corner tower, is typical of the Italianate influence you find in the Arcachon region. The property is quite a sight, looming above the garden’s fountain and pine trees, and overlooking the sea. There are eight double bedrooms (one of which is wheelchair accessible) and a host of impressive features including a spring-water lap pool. Maid service, daily breakfast and welcome drinks are all in the price, and you can pay extra for a chef, a laundry service, and even a bodyguard should you be famous enough to need one. This area has a laidback vibe, with quiet beaches and many cycle paths, while Bordeaux is only 30 minutes away, and the wineries of Saint-Émilion not much further. Les Flots Bleus would work superbly for a get-together to mark a special occasion or anniversary.
Pool Y
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 16
Price £££
10. Les Lauriers, Fayence, Cannes
With a hillside location, fabulous valley views from the swimming pool, and an atmospheric medieval village a stroll away, this is a property that attracts a lot of repeat bookings. Les Lauriers has a country kitchen and cosy lounge, three bedrooms (one en suite), and family comforts including children’s games and satellite TV (with UK channels). From the upper terrace, look down over the castle in the village, where you’ll also find restaurants and shops. This is one of nine “perched villages” to explore in Pays de Fayence. Alternatively you can travel 10km to the shores of Lac de Saint-Cassien for some hiking or riding, or drive 30 minutes to the French Riviera and the beaches of the Côte d’Azur.
Pool Y
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 6
Price ££
11. La Grande Bastide, Ménerbes, Avignon
The sprawling, luxurious La Grande Bastide has original stone walls and typically understated Provencal styling. In the central courtyard is a centuries-old plane tree, while gardens extend for over a hectare and include a swimming pool, sunbathing terraces and a summer kitchen with shower. The seven double bedrooms are all en suite and there are separate living and TV rooms so that everyone is guaranteed to find their own space. Happily, this villa is in a region smothered in vineyards, while the hilltop village of Ménerbes is 3km away, and Avignon is within easy reach.
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Pool Y
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 14
Price £££
12. Chateau St Victor, Saint-Victor-la-Coste, Avignon
Chateau St Victor is worlds away from the glitz of the Côte d’Azur; it’s sleepy, off the beaten track and in a small village wrapped with Côtes du Rhône vineyards and woodland. The property itself is far from understated. This 16th-century chateau is decorated with an eclectic flourish, antique furniture sitting alongside modern pieces. There are six en suite double bedrooms in the main house, as well as accommodation in three separate cottages, one of them perfect for a family. Gardens are filled with roses and hortensia, and include an atmospheric pool surrounded by stone walls and columns. The chateau is on the border of Provence and Languedoc, giving access to Avignon and the market town of Uzès. The services of a housekeeper and chef are included.
Pool Y
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 20
Price ££
13. Mas des Gardois, Vézénobres, Avignon
West of Avignon, and surrounded by vineyards, this villa shows off lots of internal living space on a ten-acre estate. Architecturally, the property is classically Provencal in style, with rugged stone walls and vaulted ceilings. Venture inside and you’ll be surprised: it incorporates state-of-the-art comforts you might more usually expect at a resort, from a home cinema and gym to Jacuzzi, tennis courts, sauna and two swimming pools. Nine bedrooms sleep up to 19 and there’s a cottage available that can be hired separately. Saint-Privat-des-Vieux is a short walk away and the medieval cathedral town of Uzès around 30 minutes by car. A housekeeping service is included.
Pool Y
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 19
Price ££
14. Villa Azure, Èze-sur-Mer, Côte d’Azur
Between Monaco and Nice, and overlooking the glittering Mediterranean Sea, Villa Azure occupies one of the top spots on the French Riviera. With views as incredible as these, this four-bedroom villa is all about outdoor living: the swimming pool, terraced gardens, summer kitchen and al fresco bar make this a sociable summer retreat. Find shade under one of the many fruit trees in the beautiful gardens — oranges, lemons, grapefruits, bananas, almonds and hazelnuts are grown here.
Pool Y
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 10–14
Price £
15. Maison Le Bitoulet, Languedoc
The lovingly restored Maison Le Bitoulet townhouse, which dates back to 1882 and sleeps 14, pays tribute to its original grandeur — all elegant furnishings, chandeliers and landscaped gardens. It’s an idyllic rural location, but the shops and restaurants of Lamalou are just a ten-minute walk away. Just outside the back door is a cool blue saltwater swimming pool, and mature gardens beyond. You can cook outside in the summer kitchen for a casual meal, or gather in the dining room.
Pool Y
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 14
Price £
16. Manoir Clement, Grasse, Côted’Azur
Surrounded by blooming landscaped gardens and overlooking its large, heated swimming pool, Manoir Clement is perfect for holidays with family and friends, sleeping ten. The interior design is cosy and clean, but the real star of the show is the exterior — with its sun loungers, barbecue and sun-drenched terrace. The villa is located just a half-hour from the coast, and there are many pretty villages to be discovered in the surrounding mountains. Grasse, the perfume capital of the world, is within ten minutes’ drive.
Pool Y
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 10
Price £
17. La Maison du Sud, Uzès, Languedoc
You’ll be fighting over who gets the luxurious loft suite of La Maison du Sud — a plush hideaway in Languedoc with walk-in shower and beautiful countryside views. But the entire house is spectacular: think antique French furniture, a charming farmhouse kitchen, and a tempting plunge pool. There is no bakery in the village, but the baker comes to deliver fresh baguettes every morning.
Pool Y
Family-friendly Y (but small children need supervision because of steep steps)
Sleeps 6
Price £
18. Mas Mayeaux, Provence
Mas Mayeaux, a charming private estate in Provence, comprises of a main house (sleeps 8) and a smaller annexe (sleeps four), set in 1.4 acres of fruit trees and landscaped gardens. Both houses have their own patio areas, and a shared swimming pool is perfect for sunny days — as are the barbecue, hammocks and outdoor games area. The region has gorgeous rolling lavender landscapes and hillside vineyards along with some truly fantastic wines. Enjoy the magnificent Vaison Danses Festival in July, in the nearby Roman amphitheatre.
Pool Y
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 8
Price ££
19. Mas Art et Soleil, Eygalières, Provence
Mas Art et Soleil was once an artist’s studio — so expect beautiful natural light and stylish interior design throughout. In this picturesque Provence farmhouse you’ll be surrounded by the vineyards and olive groves of Alpilles Natural Park, with a tranquil pool and gardens on your doorstep. Eygalières, just 2km away, is one of the prettiest hilltop villages in Provence — a handful of discerning A-list celebrities have bought holiday homes there.
Pool Y
Family-friendly Teens but not young children
Sleeps 6
Price ££
20. Le Jardin Secret, Laurac, Languedoc
Near Carcassonne, in a tiny hilltop village and surrounded by rolling countryside, Le Jardin Secret is an 18th-century treasure. It has been beautifully restored, with original features galore — and its magnificent south-facing terrace has views of the Pyrenees and Black Mountains.
Pool Y
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 8
Price £
21. Villa Romane, Beaucaire, Provence
This spacious holiday villa sleeping 15 has a magnificent Roman-style circular swimming pool — with panoramic views of Provence and the Rhone valley. Inside Villa Romane you’ll find six fabulous bedrooms and five bathrooms (so no need to quibble over who uses the shower first), while outside an alfresco kitchen, barbecue, shaded lounge and sun terrace await. Take a stroll and head to the gorgeous Provencal village of Beaucaire, where you will find delicious boulangeries, fine french restaurants, traditional cafes and shops.
Pool Y
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 2–15
Price £
22. Villa Xavier, Uzès, Languedoc
Every inch of this modern property in Languedoc has been designed to perfection: from its huge, heated swimming pool, to the underground wine cellar where you’ll find the best local vintages. Cool and contemporary, Villa Xavier is a breath of fresh air — and you’ll love the outdoor living areas, large dining terrace and olive trees. It’s possible to book day trips on the owner’s private boat, or a fitness coach to help you get into shape. The villa also has a cigar humidor for guests.
Pool Y
Family-friendly Y (but more suitable for older children than younger)
Sleeps 12
Price ££
23. Maison Sebastien, Provence
Built in the 14th century as a lookout tower, Maison Sebastien has fabulous views: from its rooftop terrace you can gaze over oak forests, mulberry trees, and the property’s private pool. There are countless comfortable nooks in which to relax, from the cinema room and living area with wood-burning stove, to the sun loungers and shaded terrace. There is a bustling local market nearby in Forcalquier full of delicious local delicacies. Guests are also within walking distance of the charming village, St Michel L’Observatoire, with plenty of restaurants.
Pool Y
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 11–13
Price ££
Take me there
Inspired to visit the south of France but yet to book your trip? Here are the best villas from Oliver’s Travels* and a choice of hotels with British Airways breaks*. And if you’re still unsure of where you want to go or what type of holiday to book, get in touch with the Designer Travel experts here and one of the team will be in contact to help you arrange your perfect tailor-made break
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