January Blues? Yes Blue Skies here in the South of France

It's January the 5th, we are all back at our desks and news of the 'January Blues' are everywhere...but here in the South of France the only blues are the skies. It's 18 degrees and the sun is shining, the waters of the Mediterranean are azure and the skies are the most beautiful blue.

Blue skies and palm trees in January in the South of France

And it's time to think about your summer holiday. Many of our most popular villas are already booked for the key summer weeks especially those which can house larger groups. So get your family and friends together and work on your travel plans before it's too late.

Only 2 August weeks remaining! 

So banish your January Blues and think of blue skies all the way here in the South of France

Raining in the South of France

The South of France is known for the region where we enjoy over 300 days of sunshine each year....except not today....and in fact not this week. November 2014 has been one of the wettest on record but also one of the warmest. And in a region where water is at a premium the Cote d'Azur is counting itself lucky that we may avoid the inevitable hosepipe bans next spring and summer.

Much of the regions water is stored in man made lakes such as the Lac St Croix and Lac St Cassian, both of which are beautiful 'natural' spots and ideal in the summer months for enjoying a range of activities such as fishing, boating or simply sitting on the shoreline and enjoying the exceptional views.

The Lake at St Croix

Lake St Cassian

And happily, the sunshine will make a welcome re-appearance tomorrow....

Family Villa Holidays in the South of France - Bastide de la Veyriere

The South of France remains the choice of many when choosing their summer family holiday destination. And why not? With white sandy beaches, over 300 days of sunshine each year and of course an exceptional range of wonderful villas to choose from then there is something for all the family to enjoy.

Bastide de la Veyriere is a wonderful family villa and includes a heated pool, tennis court and a billiard / games room. The villa is also just outside of the popular village of Valbonne with many restaurants, cafes and a wonderful weekly Provencal market.

Relax by the Pool

Enjoy a game of billiards

...or a game of tennis

Inside there are 7 bedrooms spread over 3 floors and 5 are air-conditioned. There are spacious, modern bathrooms and great open plan living areas. And just in case you didn't think there was enough to keep the family occupied there is a home cinema room and a home gym. 

But making the South of France your holiday destination means outside living and the Bastide de la Veyriere is set in over 5,000 Square metres of garden, there is a lovely BBQ and covered outside dining and living area and of course a large, heated pool. 

Outside Dining on the Terrace

Heated Swimming Pool

The Bastide de la Veyriere sleeps up to 14 guests and is the ideal choice for a family holiday here in the South of France. 

South of France Villa Romarin Summer Holiday Rentals

New to the summer rental market is Villa Romarin in the South of France. A sumptuous property in the hills above Cannes, this is the ideal villa to rent for up to 10 people.

Having been recently refurbished the villa boasts a billiard room, a home cinema room and of course a wonderful swimming pool and pool terrace - ideal for enjoying the outdoor lifestyle of the French Riviera.

The 5 bedrooms are all air-conditioned and the kitchen is equipped and fitted to the highest of standards.

This villa in the South of France is sure to book quickly for summer holiday rentals 2015.

Stay Safe when you Visit the South of France

The South of France is glitz and glamour all the way and unfortunately that makes it a target for some less scrupulous visitors. When you're on holiday it easy to forget that our beautiful region can be the place of petty theft and crime, but with just a few sensible precautions then we know that you will have a wonderful holiday.

1. Driving - Don't leave valuables on display in the car, lock them in the boot when you're parked. Cameras, iPads and more.

2. Keep your car doors locked - Many modern cars now automatically lock the doors when you are driving. This is a sensible precaution here on the French Riviera as opportunist thieves have been known simply to open the back door of a car stopped at a traffic light, reach into the car and take whatever is to hand.

3. Dining Out - When you're eating out in restaurants, then ladies do not leave handbags unattended. Keep them in sight at all times.

4. Passports and Currency - Where possible we recommend that you leave large amounts of currency and passports safely at your South of France rental villa. Many of our villas have safes where you can store valuables for the duration of your stay.

5. Alarms and Gates - When you are in your rental villa then close gates and set the alarm, especially at night and of course when you are out of the villa.

Just small, sensible precautions will ensure that you have a wonderful holiday here in one of our rental villas in the South of France.

5 things to do before the Tourists Arrive in the South of France

We all love the summer, but it does mean that for those of us living in the South of France then we have to share our restaurants, our beaches and of course our roads with all our visitors who arrive from across the globe. So just before they invade, here are our top 5 tips of things to do before it get's too busy.

1. Lunch on the Beach in Cannes - Right now the beach restaurants and calm and there's no rush for the best sunbeds. Wander down on to the beach, enjoy a leisurely lunch and then sleep it off to the sounds of the Mediterranean lapping in the distance.

2. Drive to St Tropez - It's getting close to that time when all roads - or should we say road- into and out of St Tropez are jammed packed and it takes an extra hour to get into the village. So now is the time to drive down, park on the port and stroll into St Tropez for a little designer shopping.

3. Picnic at the Lake - Either St Cassian or St Croix - take a trip into the hills and enjoy a quiet family picnic by the lake.

4. Dinner on the port at Villefranche - Delicious food and a wonderful setting - something to be enjoyed when it's not too crowded.

5. Market Day - Many to choose from and at this time of year you can stroll easily through the lines of stalls and pick up the early season bargains before the 'tourist prices' arrive.

And of course, out of season your rental villa is less expensive. So contact the team at Cote d'Azur Villas for a selection of over 350 villas throughout the South of France & Provence.

What makes a Family Villa Holiday in the South of France

The South of France is a great destination for family holidays and these days many tourists choose to rent a private villa rather than jostling for space beside the hotel pool and having to worry about noisy neighbours in the next door hotel bedroom.

But what makes a great family villa given that there are 1000's of seemingly equally wonderful properties available to you?

1. Safety - Especially around the swimming pool. Here in France there are strict pool safety laws and you should ensure that these have been met by any owner who is looking to rent their property. There can be a fence, a safety cover or an alarm system but having this is vital when you are traveling with children.

2. Outdoors - Having a great garden so that the children can play and the adults can enjoy the outdoors is essential. But choose a villa that has a flat garden, many here in the region are made hazardous by the steep slopes. Flat, green and perhaps with some outdoor play things for the children and everyone is happy.

3. Location - Being able to stroll into the village each afternoon or to let the teenagers stroll in on their own makes for a very relaxing holiday. And who doesn't want to wander into a lovely Provencal village each morning and pick up those delicious freshly baked croissants.

4. Helping Hand - Choose a reputable villa company, who are based in the region and are there if you have any issues with your villa or indeed need a helping hand if you don't speak French. The team at Cote d'Azur villas are all bi-lingual and can help with any problems or issues that come up during your holiday. Perhaps some inside knowledge about places to visit or a doctors appointment for a poorly child.

Cote d'Azur Villas are HERE for your holiday - with offices on the French Riviera and in Provence their team are never more than a call away.

Visiting the South of France in Springtime - Mimosa Celebrations

Each year we celebrate the wonderful plant that adds such a vibrant yellow colour tour landscape – the Mimosa.  However, what many people do not realise is that Mimosa is not indigenous to the South of France & Provence and was introduced in around 1850 by the British who were attempting to lighten up their winter gardens with this fast growing and hardy shrub.

Here in the South of France we have the Mimosa Trail which covers around 130 kms including the villages of Bormes-les-Mimosas, le Rayol-Canadel, Sainte-Maxime, Saint-Raphaël, Tanneron, Grasse, Pégomas, and Mandelieu-la Napoule.  It celebrates the flowering of the lovely Mimosa shrub with its bright yellow flowers which are particularly welcome in the depths of winter and give one the hope that spring is just around the corner.

Our next Mimosa Festival is in Mandelieu from 14th – 23rd February and we will celebrate with a church service, with the election of a ‘Queen of the Mimosa’ and a parade of floats decorated with the beautiful yellow flowers.

The Mimosa can also be seen in and around Provence.  The locals walk about with armfuls of the stuff to decorate houses, carts, cafe's, restaurants, in fact anything with its beautiful aromatic yellow flowers and one of the villages Bormes les Mimosas is even named after it!

Visiting the South of France in springtime is easy and less expensive than visiting in the high season summer months. The other advantage being that the skies will be blue and the sun will be shining – can the same be said of where you live in February and March?

Cote d’Azur Villas have an excellent selection of villas to rent all along the mimosa trail and booking a rental villa in the South of France is an excellent way to really enjoy our beautiful region.

Villa Views in the South of France

Location, location, location.....yes, we've ll heard it before, but how about when you are booking your villa in the South of France? Location yes, and view of course!

The South of France extends up into the hills with many villas to rent enjoying exceptional views over the Mediterranean, Cap d'Antibes and St Jean Cap Ferrat. Or perhaps you prefer a view over the islands just off of the coast of Cannes or out over the Bay of St Tropez. here in the South of France the possibilities for a wonderful view are endless.

If you book a villa in one of the small villages then you will find amazing views of river valleys carved out of the rocks or perhaps the snow covered mountains - only a 90 minute drive to the ski slopes...

Here we have put together some of the amazing views from our villas, hope you enjoy the video.


 

5 Reasons to Book a Villa in the South of France

So you are being bombarded with holiday adverts on the TV, in the newspaper and it's coming close to the time you have to decided on where to spend your precious summer holiday.

Here are the 5 Reasons why Booking a Villa to Rent in the South of France is the ideal solution.

1. Time to Play with the children - Enjoy the luxury of a private pool, a garden and the time to spend time with your children.

2. Bring the Family Together - Why not book one of our family villas and bring Grandma, Uncles and all. This is a great way to bring the family together.

3. Enjoy some 'Me' Time - Bring a stack of books and relax...let the children enjoy the pool, the sunshine and you can simply relax.

4. Easy Access - With 2 international ariports and a high speed rail link into Provence then getting to your South of France villa is easier than ever.

5. Sunshine and Blue Skies - With over 300 days of sunshine each year then turn your face to the sun, dine al fresco and sit out on the terrace and enjoy the balmy evenings.

So what are you waiting for? Bookings are coming in fast for Summer 2014 - you need to be quick and it's only 30% to pay now.  BOOK NOW! 

Villa Rentals booking fast in the South of France

Wow! That was a busy few days...after a quiet start to the year your enquiries and bookings are now coming in thick and fast. Many of our villas are down to just 1 or 2 of the key summer weeks available.

Book now or risk being disappointed! 

ONLY 30% Deposit to Pay Now. 

At Cote d'Azur Villas we offer an unrivaled selection of villas to rent in the South of France and Provence. Whether you choose a beachfront villa in St Tropez or a stone built Provencal villa up in the hills above Cannes then we have the perfect holiday villa for you to rent.

But be quick....contact our rentals team today or book easily and quickly on line.

South of France Villas Kids Days Out

If you are travelling with children this summer and booking a wonderful South of France villa then we are delighted to recommend some wonderful days out that they whole family will enjoy.

When the novelty of sitting around the pool has worn off and the children need entertaining then there are some wonderful ready-made activities for them here in the South of France and Provence.

Marineland - The largest Marine park in Europe is just outside of Antibes. There are live shows with dolphins, killer whales and sea lions. Come and see the penguins and touch the stingrays. And when you're all done with the wildlife then next door is a huge water park.

The Tortoise Village - The Tortoise is an indigenous species here in the South of France and at Gonfaron just over into the Var you can see the work of the team of look after those tortoise that are found injured. There are displays of more unusual species and this is a lovely place to wander round, shady in the heat of the day.

Canyon Forest - This is one for the more adventurous, climbing ropes, mazes and more.

Cote d'Azur Villas offer a wonderful selection of family villas to rent in the South of France and Provence. And we aim not to break the bank - our villas start from as little as 68 euros per person per night. Here are a few of ouf South of France Family Villas that you may like:-

La Pied du Nez - Mougins South of France
Les Lauriers - Valbonne South of France
Le Petite Saturnin - Apt, Provence

Affordable Riviera - South of France Villa Holidays from 68 Euros per person per night

Finally! The holiday you deserve at a price you can afford.

Affordable Riviera - South of France and Provence villas from as little as 68 Euros per person per night - that's a private villa with a private pool AND it includes all the linen, utilities and cleaning AND our team are on hand to meet you and to ensure that your holiday is perfect in very detail. 

With many families preferring a villa to the constraints of a hotel, particularly those travelling with younger children, then teaming a villa with a flight from a budget airlines, puts the South of France firmly within reach for Summer 2014.

‘We recognise that many of our clients are still struggling in this difficult economic climate and we want to be able to give them the holiday they deserve but at an affordable rate’ says Greg Harris, Managing Director. ‘Affordable Riviera offers a wonderful holiday home inclusive of all the charges for linen, towels, utilities & cleaning, there are no hidden extras.  Our team meet each client on arrival and are always on hand throughout the holiday to help and advise our clients.  We strive to offer a great property at a great rate but we never compromise on the service that we offer.

Here are some examples of Affordable Riviera Villas

Villa Merles - 4 Bedrooms - Sleeps 8, Valbonne South of France
Petit Palmier - 3 Bedrooms - Sleeps 6, Mougins South of France
La Lanterne de St Fiacre  - 5 Bedrooms - Sleeps 10, La Garde Freinet, St Tropez South of France.

Contact the rentals team today enquries@cdvillas.com

5 Tips For a Family Villa Holiday in the South of France

Many of clients visiting the South of France and Provence and booking a villa with us are travelling with extended family or a group of friends. At Cote d'Azur Villas we have an excellent range of family villas to rent where children, grandparents and more can easily be accommodated.

Our 5 Top Tips for Having a wonderful Family Villa Holiday are.

1. Book Early! The larger villas are already getting booked up for summer and we are only in January.

2. Book your travel early and take advantage of early booking discounts with budget airlines such as easyJet.

3. Book 2 or 3 smaller rental cars. Trying to drive a minibus through the cobbled Provencal streets can be a nightmare and what happens when some of you want to go to the beach and the girls want to go shopping?

4. Discuss the budget - Who is going to pay for what? Does everything need to be shared? How about setting up a kitty and using that for all the food shopping and days out?

5. Make sure the children are happy - because when the little ones are all having a good time then the adults can relax. Many of our larger rental villas have childrens play areas, games and books for the children and of course that all important DVD player for a quiet time when the sun is at its peak.

Here are some examples of family villas to rent in the South of France and Provence.

Riveloup - 8 Bedrooms, sleeps 17 people
Bastide de la Croix - 7 Bedrooms, sleeps 15 people
Mas de Florette - 7 Bedrooms, sleeps 14

Contact our rentals team today and organise your perfect family villa holiday for summer 2014 in the South of France and Provence

Another new villa close to St Tropez - Villa du Charme!

A beautiful neo-Provencal villa set in a peaceful garden walkable into the picturesque village of Gassin, just 15 minute drive to St Tropez beaches – 4 bedrooms/sleeps 8

A wonderful, neo-Provencal  villa situated on the edge of the charming village of Gassin and with a quiet and private position at the end of a road. The 2 level villa has a dining and living room with large glass doors opening to the terrace, garden and pool, a well equipped American kitchen and utility room, four double bedrooms and 2 bathrooms and an office space / television room. The master bed room with private bath room is situated on the first floor and has a view over the garden & swimming pool.     

 

For more onfo have a look on our website.