French Chateau help

[ArlingtonLadies]

I'm struggling to pin down a rental place suitable for my husbands 40th birthday in France this August (2014).

Here's what I'm looking for:

Location: Toulouse area
Dates: August 1st through August 16th
Guests: 12 adults 10 children (2yrs through 6yrs)
Swimming pool: private
Catering: Self
Kitchen: open plan / social area (like at home)
Budget: €2500 - €3000

If this sounds like something you've recently experienced or know of a friend / company who may be able to help please let me know.

I know you're all busy and I appreciate your help.

Rebecca

Hi
you can try this site

en.gites-de-france.com/

Gosh - is that budget for the two weeks? Think you'll be struggling if so

A chateau for 22 people, for less than €1500 in August? I think you might need to rethink that...

You could try totstotravel - a quick search for Aug 2014 with 5 plus bedrooms brought up these, but you can narrow your search further.

General France Large Houses

Or you might be able to get a cluster of gites through the same company - we used them a couple of years ago and they were really helpful and the holiday was great (apart from awful, awful weather!)

I think you'll struggle to get something within that budget for two weeks. As a guide we are going away as 3 families to France for one week in a 6 bed villa and its costing us around 2800 Euros.

I second rosina - getting a cluster of gites might be a good way to go - 2 weeks of 22 people together in the same house might be a bit much for everyone too !

Chez nous is a good site - here's some ideas www.cheznous.com/PlaceSearch.aspx?gaz=26491&partySize=4#propertyType=1|startDate=|flexibleDate=false|duration=7|partySize=22|sleeps1=0|sleeps2=0|sleeps3Plus=0|lat=43.6|long=1.433333|zoom=7|criteria=|orderBy=DistanceASC|page=1|tab=list|type=list|gaz=26491
or Owners Direct or trip advisor rentals has some good properties.

WOW! Thank you all for you comments. Some small (oops!) revisions ...

£3000 and 12 adults ( kids on floors ).

I look forward to researching all your ideas.

Thank you, Rebecca.

One thing I would say arlington, that if there is a large number of people or families, having your own space is really important. I don't think you could bundle kids on floors in living areas, or sharing with parents for a fortnight without it being a recipe for disaster.

Does it have to be two weeks? For one week you'd get something really nice for that budget.

You could look on holiday lettings, but that it a small budget for 22 person villa

Can you go any higher? How's my bedrooms do you need? Ie will younger children share with parents etc

There are two on holiday lettings but only sleep 18 and are £3000-4400 per week. I think your budget will need to be more like £5-6000 or go for one week only

Good idea Rookiemater. I'll have a word with the man. Thank you.

I agree with others budget should be about 5-6k. You maybe happy putting kids on floors but the owners might not be.

you have also left it rather late if you want this summer.

and the 5-6k is for one week not two.

Try big domain or group accommodation

I don't have time to browse right now - I did find this, but check out the cost :

owners' direct

Sites to try are chez nous, pure france, homeaway holiday rentals, and owners' direct. I have used all of those in the past. Am currently trying to plan our summer jaunt. Also there are some other sites, which may have properties left on, as many people just go for the major websites.

I will say that your budget is unlikely to cover all of you, with your requirements in peak season. I have been trying to sort properties for just the 4 of us, and have been looking at at least £1200 per week for a 3 bedroom.

Top tip - get as big a place as you can afford. OR even better find a gite complex. It may work out more affordable too. Two weeks is a long time for so many people to be living in one house.

Hope you find something. I love France - and am looking forward to another trip.

princessalbert good example - that one is £5934 per week

You can't have children sleeping on the floor. Owners insurance will stipulate a maximum occupancy. Sorry I don't know the area very well, but holiday lettings are good - you can narrow down the search with size/requirements etc.

If I had a French chateaux to rent I wouldn't allow children sleeping on the floor.

I had a wee look and there are very few villas that would accommodate that many people, also the ones that exist and are reasonably priced are already let. But you might find something if you keep searching.

This is available for the second week www.ownersdirect.co.uk/france/FR3187.htm, but is significantly over budget. It may be worth speaking to the owner, in fact all owners over rental cost. They are unlikely to discount in August, but equally as it's hard to find a large 20+ person villa, the number of people wanting to rent one is quite small, so as they only have the one week left, they might be prepared to reduce a bit.