Anyone rented a decent villa in France?

[Noahsdad]

Hello
My son is 7 weeks old and we want to rent a villa in France for a week, preferably not a million miles from an airport. Has anyone ever done this or have any recommendations?
Noahsdad

Congratulations on the arrival of Noah! Few questions: Do you def want a villa - would a gite do instead. Pool or no pool? Also any idea what part of France you want and when did you want to go?

Owners Direct is the best website IMO. Seearch by dates/availability/area. I've only stayed in gites/houses that have been around an hours drive from the airport - is that too far or are you hiring a car and happy to drive a shortish distance???

We've rented lots of places in Spain and France, with children whose aged have ranged from a couple of months.

You may want to avoid the South of France in July and August as it will be very hot, but much else depends on the type of house you would like, the kind of climate and terrain, and what you would like to have close by in terms of activities for YOU, shops, restaurants etc. We do like the Alps in summer, especially now the DC are older - they were beginning to find beach holidays boring, and we like the area as it's not too baking, there is fresh air, stunning views, lots of little villages to either walk or drive to, as well as plenty for the children to do - they're not bored any more!

Thanks for this advice... happy to hire a gite... looked on owners direct... looks a good website....

Hi again Noahs Dad - Meant to say we love the Poiteau Charentes region - lovely gites available, not as hot and crowded as the south of France, lots to see and do in terms of beaches and culture. Especially like the Ile de Re and La Rochelle for day trips. Can link to some gite suggestions if that would help but we have 2 boys aged 4 and 2 so look at child friendly places (ie toys in the gite, play equipment in the garden etc). Makes a big difference not having to lug travel cots and highchairs everywhere! Depends what sort of thing you were after?

Owners Direct are good.

Also CV Travel - I think they're best (apart from Scott Dunn)

Squeaver - thanks, will look at CV travel now...
OlliwWollieWoo - any links you have would be very gratefully received....

These are a few 2 beds (not checked avilability):
here
This place has 30% off in May and Sept:
here
This is a great gite complex but may be a bit too busy for you with a young baby?
here
A 3 bed on a villa park with pool:
here
There are loads to choose from so helps to narrow it down maybe via dates? Holiday Lettings is another good website!
Hope you find something you like.

This is really helpful.... thanks a million...

www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/france/739293/France-2008-accommodation-guide.html?pa geNum=1

Check this out too. Lots of great links.

We stayed here 2 yrs ago for a week in mid September. At the time, we had a 3 yr old and a 6mth old. Flew to La Rochelle & hired a car and this was approx 30 mins drive south. Prices drop drastically in France come Sept but temperatures still pretty hot so make the most of not having to follow the school holidays. We went with friends and their 3 yr old. The kids loved it. Best of all, the prices are pretty reasonable.

Wot no Aznerak?

The best Gites that we ever rented for a family holiday was in Poitou Charentes region handy for lots of airports. The French Family giteswere stylishly decorated and had acres of grounds and an incredible amount of games, toys, sports, garden swings, trampolines, slides, darts, pool, table football etc, a great DVD library. We didnt see our kids for 2 weeks!

I'm here I'm here!

But my parents have no ad on the small ads at the moment so I can't link to it