Luxury self-catering in France
 

Hi

I've left it late (I know, I know..!) trying to find somewhere good in France for the summer holidays. Here's what we're after...

- something at the luxury end of the market
- self-catering preferably
- in a nice location with plenty to see/do, nice places to eat, markets... that kind of thing
- somewhere that's not tooooooo far a drive (ie. not South of France) because we'll be driving from the north of England
- somewhere that has good facilities for children/families - our boys will be 6 and 4 at the time of travel (a swimming pool or nearby beach essential!)

We've previously holidayed in Brittany in the last few years - once at La Foret Fousenant (where the accommodation was a bit of a disaster) and once at Morgat (where the accommodation was OK, but still nothing special)

As far as dates are concerned, we would be looking at either end of August (probably little chance of finding somewhere good for then) or right at the beginning of July (hopefully a bit more chance, before most schools break up and hopefully when prices are fractionally lower, too).

Any suggestions, please?

Thanks a lot.

No sure what you mean by luxury - almost all luxury properties (except in center city) will have a pool and most will have staff at least part time. There are dozens of companies that rent such properties - have you googled any of them?

Or are you asking about info on a specific property?

As an aside and heads-up, I spent several days last month looking for decent rental properties in Provence -- for June 2011. I was surprised and dismayed to see that a heckuva lot of the best gites were booked clear into February of 2012. All I can say is good luck. Of course something must be out there, but I imagine your success will depend not just on luck, but money and good ol' location, location at this point, particularly relative to July/Aug. Perhaps the most upper and lower ends of the scale are more likely to remain available, so when you say "luxury end," you may find yourself going to the tip of it.

See www.justfrance.com, located in a Philadelphia suburb. Rented from them twice, exceptional properties and service.

I would highly recommend La Vigerie in the Perigord (Dordogne). Great house, 4 bedrooms each with bath/shower room. Done with wonderful taste (featured in design magazines) Pool, tennis courts, and right on the river Dordogne.

Right in the centre of the Dordogne, 15 km from Sarlat, so all the great touring things to do in this area.

http://www.best-of-perigord.tm.fr/he...1/vigerie.html

nytraveler... yes, I've done LOTS of Googling. Most properties seem to be fully booked for the summer. I was really after someone with inside knowledge of particular properties that might have availability.

sap... I know what you mean. It's a tall order but hopefully I can unearth something.

HappyTrvlr... thanks, I'll take a look at that site.

Thanks, Carlux... that property sleeps 10 so is probably a bit big for our needs. It's also at the upper extreme of how far we'd like to drive, but I wouldn't rule it out.

http://www.gites.biz/Gite/La+Grande/5046/

http://www.gites.biz/Gite/La+Grande+Grue/603/

I haven't stayed at either but they may be of interest to you.

Can't offer any insider knowledge I'm afraid (I wish I could) but this site has plenty of luxurious places for rent all over France:

http://www.purefrance.com/finest-france.asp

I haven't rented anything from it, but have come close a couple of times.

Hope it helps.

Thanks, guys... great links. And some availability amongst that lot, too.

A few more:


http://www.wimco.com/villa-rentals/europe/france/



http://www.palmerparker.com/France/South-of-France/

http://www.simply-perigord.com/

I've had this one bookmarked for a while....looks lovely!
http://www.vrbo.com/global/siteFrame.aspx?l=32870&k=1

Have you tried homeaway.com? They have this in the Loire, still available in July:
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p61165
I'd also suggest trying the http://www.gites-de-france.com/gites/uk/rural_gites site for gites rural. The 4 and 5 ear of corn are the top of their ratings I've always rented 2 or 3 rated and been very content--I imagine the 4 and 5 are quite something.
Good luck!