June 3, 2017

Holiday Rentals In France

La Maison
Our old house in Normandy, which is now a charming rental cottage. We highly recommend this place!


For the first 10 years that we lived here, whenever I was visiting the U.S. and met someone new, they would inevitably ask me where I lived. When I would reply that I lived in France, their response, every single time, would be, "so how long have you lived in Paris?"
I always found that pretty funny. It's like telling someone that you live in the U.S. and they respond by asking how long you've lived in New York City.

But I get it. Paris represents "France" to most foreigners.

However there is much, much more to l'Hexagone than Paris! And over the years we've been fortunate enough to live in a few regions and have enjoyed exploring a good chunk of this beautiful country on many of our vacations.

I know that once you've chosen where to go, picking where to stay can be daunting. The sheer number of holiday rentals out there is crazy, so I thought I would share a handful of places that we know and would recommend around France. We stayed in some as paying guests (and would happily return), a few are owned by friends and one house we lived in for 4 wonderful years.

If you have any more places to recommend, please share them in the comments!

Lunch at JP and Agnès'
This gorgeous home, with a large pool, is located close to the Mediterranean sea in Occitanie. The owners, who are close friends of ours, are renting it out this summer.



A perfect spot for a summer apéro is the terrace of Maison de la Fontaine, a vacation house located in the center of the market town of Nérac, in the south west. It is owned by my good friend, Mardi, of Eat. Live. Travel. Write.


Our gîte
Gîte de la Roche à Vent in the Loire Valley, located between Saumur and Angers. We spent a week in this spacious, comfortable house, which was a fantastic location for exploring the region. 


Another lovely rental, complete with a big swimming pool and a large garden, is located in a medieval town in the south of France.


Can you imagine sitting here with a glass of wine, enjoying this view? Gorgeous! And the owners are winemakers, so a visit to their vineyard and wine tasting is included in the price.


Relais de Camont
Another picturesque spot in Gascony is Kate Hill's home, Camont, where I learned to make cassoulet many years ago. It is exceptionally being rented out for the summer of 2017.


La Charente
Logis la Cabane, located about 20 minutes from Cognac, is a beautiful property with 2 acres of gardens and a heated swimming pool. 



Pin It

9 comments:

Parisbreakfasts said...

I would like to stay in all of them, though the heated pools are especially appealing. There are so many places to see in France. Its daunting.
Fun post!

Tucsonbabe said...

The following are two lovely rentals. My husband and I have stayed in both.

www.myhomeindijon.com A beautiful, well equipped large studio in the city of Dijon.

www.chartrons37.com A spectacular two bedroom with terrace overlooking the river in Bordeaux.

Both apartments are owned by absolutely lovely hosts. I can also vouch for Maison de la Fontaine which is mentioned above. My husband and I spent a delightful four days there last year.


Mardi and Neil (maison de la fontaine) said...

Thanks so much Jen for the mention :) And thanks @Tusconbabe for vouching for us :) We were so delighted you enjoyed your stay and hope you come back again!

Jennifer said...

Parisbreakfasts
A pool is always nice, especially a private pool!

Tusconbabe
Thank you for the recommendations! We've never spent time in Burgundy or near Bordeaux, so I am filing those away for possible future rentals. :)
I am hoping to go and see Maison de la Fontaine for myself one of these days. It looks like a lovely place.

Mardi and Neil
You're welcome! :)

Anonymous said...

They're all lovely! Especially the terrace with the view.

Jennifer said...

Marina
Isn't that a spectacular view? :)

Taste of France said...

We have two historic apartments for vacation rentals in the center of the lower town of Carcassonne. They're a 5-10 minute walk to the fortified city, just far enough to be away from the tourist crowds.
www.airbnb.com/rooms/16981445
www.airbnb.com/rooms/17301674
They've just been completely renovated and furnished with antiques.

Saxton Hale said...

I'd love to visit, this all looks so appealing

Jennifer said...

Taste of France
Thanks for the links!


Yano
Hope you get the chance to soon! :)