If you know where you want to spend your next holiday and what you want to be doing then you can search for your ideal retreat via our Advanced Search page. Maybe you fancy a last-minute break, so take a look at our Last Minute Cottages with lots of great deals in the next eight weeks. Or for those who simply want some inspiration, take a look at our holiday ideas below and let us help you book your next holiday.
Whether you have just one or a number of dogs, searching for a dog-friendly retreat couldn't be easier. There are miles of footpaths and byways to explore through rolling countryside or along the coastline and who better to take with you than your four-legged friend? Taking your dog on holiday could not be easier with a wide range of holiday cottages and self-catering accommodations offering dog-friendly facilities, including enclosed gardens, direct footpath access, local information regarding dog-friendly attractions, and even doggie treats!
Fishing remains one of the most popular pastimes everywhere. Obviously, for sea fishing on the doorstep, look at our selection of cottages near a beach. However coarse fishermen and those adept with a fly might like to look at cottages with fishing facilities onsite (or at least very close by). Speak to the owner in order to get the best local knowledge; such as tips on bait, the most productive spots, and licenses/restrictions.
People are often looking for a little something special when booking a holiday or break away and what could be a better way of relaxing than bubbling in a hot tub. Not only ideal for couples wanting a romantic break, hot tubs are also very popular with families and groups of friends and can make a holiday special at any time of the year. With over 100 holiday cottages with a hot tub to choose from throughout France, why not treat yourself and enjoy a truly relaxing break or holiday.
Are you one of France's 4 million horse riders? If so why not consider looking for a cottage that's near to a riding school and explore your holiday destination by horseback? If you fancy a one-to-one lesson, or perhaps just hacking out with friends or family, we have over 700 properties that have horse riding or stabling nearby. We also have properties with onsite stabling/livery/grazing, so why not take your horse away with you to explore a different part of France?
Our selection of holiday homes with swimming pools can provide hours of endless fun and enjoyment for not only the children but also the adults! We have a good range of self-catering accommodations offering indoor and outdoor swimming pools, with either private or shared use. Perhaps you're looking for a cottage with its very own swimming pool set in the grounds where you can enjoy lazy sunny days relaxing by the pool or an early morning dip before setting off on your day's adventures. Alternatively, you may be looking for an indoor pool to keep the children amused (a particular favourite for a rainy day! ).
Tennis is a game that the whole family can enjoy so just make sure you pack your rackets and plenty of spare tennis balls! We have a great selection of cottages with a tennis court across the UK, some to championship standard and others more suited to a friendly casual game. Many have shared access but some cottages also have a private tennis court for guests' exclusive use.
Whether you're a Wimbledon champion in the making or simply fancy trying your hand at the game, a holiday is the perfect time to practise your serve!
Whether you are planning a family beach holiday, want to experience life in a fishing village, fancy walking the coastal paths and seeing the wildlife or have the desire to simply relax by the sea, we have a great selection of holiday cottages and self catering accommodation with a beach nearby to choose from. Be sure to check with the owner which beaches are nearby, how accessible they are, restrictions and local conditions. Distant sea views can be just as appealing as being right on the sea front. Also consider that inland destinations can also be a good base from which to visit local beaches with the added benefit of returning home to a peaceful retreat of an evening.
Whether it's a cold beer after a long walk on a summer's day or a glass of red wine by the fire on a chilly night, the France pub is the focus of many a holiday and a big part of French life. With over 53, 500 public houses in France, there is sure to be one to suit all tastes, whether you are looking for a meal out at a gastro pub or simply want to sample a good local pint of ale. Many people want to completely relax and escape 'domestic duties' while away on holiday and what could be nicer, than strolling to the local pub or restaurant after a fun packed day. If you would like to look for a holiday cottage or self-catering accommodation near a pub (or restaurant), then take a look at our large selection.
If you want to get away for a few nights of romance, consider booking one of our cosy, romantic cottages for two. With lots of space to relax and plenty of privacy, it's the perfect choice for couples. Whatever your passion, be it a log cabin in the woods in which to tuck yourself away or a fisherman's cottage for windswept walks along the beach, we have a great choice of romantic retreats just perfect for two.
Whether you are a seasoned professional or an occasional 'hacker', take your clubs away on holiday with you and enjoy a leisurely round or two. You may be looking for a golf break or simply want to escape for an hour or two and enjoy a game of golf amongst new surroundings. Whatever your desire, we have a wide selection of holiday cottages and self catering accommodation near to a golf course, throughout France.
Planning a holiday for a large group? We have a huge choice of over 200 big holiday homes that can accommodate eight or more guests. Whether you're looking for a 'no-frills' base for an activity weekend away with your mates or a venue for celebrating a special occasion such as a birthday or hen night, we have a great choice of large properties to rent in every corner of the UK. Entertaining at home can be daunting. It's not always practical to have friends or family stay for a few days without uncomfortable make-shift beds and extra sets of linen. But by booking a large holiday home you can socialise in comfort, spread the work and share the costs. Consider the option of a few nights of luxury; you'll be surprised how affordable it is when the cost is split between a large group; or search for two or three cottages at one location where you can get away with friends whilst enjoying the personal space and privacy of your own cottage. Whether you're planning ahead or just fancy a last minute getaway, we have a large property just waiting to welcome you and your party.
The family holiday is one of the most important events in the household calendar. Regardless of whether it's just a few nights away or a full two week extravaganza, it requires considerable planning. Self-catering is a popular choice with families given the level of flexibility and space it provides. Many properties accept children but just to be sure, we've put together a collection of family-friendly cottages where your little ones are guaranteed a warm welcome. You may also want to consider our holiday homes with on-site activities to keep the kids amused such as nature trails, games rooms and outdoor play areas. For those wanting to introduce the family to a taste of country life, take a look at our farm holidays where you can enjoy country walks, an abundance of fresh air and the opportunity to experience firsthand the fun on the farm. Family holidays are such an important time, so make your children's dreams come true and create memories that will last a lifetime.
The great British Bank Holiday has always been a popular time to get away on holiday. A long weekend can be enjoyed with family and friends without the need for using too much of your hard-earned holiday entitlement. Even a full seven night holiday only needs four days to be booked off work!
Whether you are looking for a large house to celebrate New Year's Eve, a family cottage to spend a cosy Christmas, or country retreat to escape to over Easter, we have a great selection of self-catering holiday properties to choose from.
France’s northern and north-western coast is a world unto itself. Its hundreds of kilometres of coastline ranges from rugged cliffs to quiet sandy beaches, fringing a landscape of lush green countryside, medieval cities and prehistoric monuments.Plan to enjoy swimming, sailing, windsufing, or explore miles of coastal walks and many long beaches.
Brittany’s Celtic heritage is the source of a language and culture distinct from the rest of France and closely related to the indigenous cultures of Wales, Ireland, and Scotland. Breton folk music in particular is a lively and vivid expression of the unique identity of the northwest, celebrated annually at the international Celtic festival in Lorient.
Who says romantic, says Paris. Stroll on the banks of the Seine, hang a padlock on the Archbishop's Bridge and throw the key into the river as a symbol of eternal love. With your partner, admire Paris from the Eiffel Tower or from the water in the river boats. However, Paris is not the only romantic destination in France. Think of the area around Versailles for example; or of the castles of the Loire, with their palaces and gardens.
At the time of flowering lavender, you might also love the Provence can also be appreciated, as well as the regions of Burgundy or Bordeaux where you can picnic in one of the vineyards and taste outstanding wines. You can also choose to stroll along the boulevards seaside towns or enjoy seafood in the small fishing villages on the Atlantic coast. Go and see the sunset at Mont Saint-Michel and admire the light, as the Impressionists did before you. Dine on a pretty terrace with views of the hills in Auvergne; Stroll under the pines in the Landes or on the French Riviera; Rent a 2CV to visit one of the "villages in bloom" or one of the "most beautiful villages in France"; Take a kayak ride on the Allier River, the Tarn or Cèze. Take a cruise on the Canal du Midi or go horseback riding in the Dordogne or in the Pyrenees.
The Franse Riviera is known for its azure blue waters, beautiful beaches, and the glamour. The Côte d’Azur isn’t one of the most popular holiday destinations from France without reason. Families, couples and friends can all enjoy a holiday with plenty of activities in the area of Cannes, Saint Tropez, Nice and Antibes. We’ve took our time to write down a few ‘must do things’ in the Côte d’Azur.
Are you still looking for a holiday destination in the French Riviera? View our gites!
Are you visiting the Côte d’Azur? Then you don’t want to miss the French beaches! All the way from Cannes to Monaco you’ll find the see-and-be-seen beachclubs, such as La Plague 45 or Baoli Beach Club, but besides this, there are enough free sand beaches. Relax at Plage Mace or Bocca Beach in Cannes, enjoy the kilometer-long sand beach Plage des Marinieres in the old town of Villefranche-sur-Mer, spot celebrities at Pampelonne Beach in Ramateulle (ca. 5 km van St. Tropez) or enjoy the quiet scenery of Plage Mala in Cap d’Ail and eat in one of the two seafood restaurants afterward.
It is estimated that the construction of the Pont du Gard had already started in the year 40 after Christ. During 12 years, 1000 workers have worked every day until the bridge could be used in the year 52. The aqueduct made it possible to supply the city of Nîmes with water, which was lacking because of its low position.
The hills near Uzès had many natural springs from which Nîmes could draw – but the village needed an aqueduct to carry the water. The construction of the Pont du Gard supplied the city’s thermal baths, springs and fountains for almost 5 centuries.
France has more than 60 ski resorts and more than 20,000 kilometers of pistes, from expansive ski resorts with over 600 kilometers of groomed slopes to intimate small areas with a drag lift and three slopes. The largest and most can be found in the Alps, in the regions of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and Rhône-Alpes. The names Megèves in the Haute Savoie and Alpes d'Huez in the Isère speak to the imagination.
Less known are the ski resorts in the Pyrenees, but they are definitely worth visiting.
St. Lary Soulon or Ax Les Therme are well known in southern Franceand and northern Spain.