Villa Rental Scammers Beware!

This season we have seen so many guests arriving in our villas who have been the victims of villa rental scams here in the South of France and Provence. They find, what they think, is a perfectly respectable website, they e-mail and in many cases speak with the 'owner' of the property. They confirm the rental, pay the full rental amount up front and then.....nothing. The website disappears, the e-mails bounce and the telephone numbers are no longer in service.

So how can you protect yourself against individuals and in some cases groups of people who are set to ruin your family holiday? Cote d'Azur Villas has been in existence on the French Riviera and in Provence for more than 11 years, the majority of our bookings are transacted via our seure website but the difference is that our offices are here in the South of France, our teams are based here and we will be here with you from helping you to choose your villa righ up until you say goodbye at the end of a wonderful holiday.

Our years of experience in the South of France villa rental market means that we are better placed that almost all other agents to offer our help and advice on how to avoid an upsetting and expensive issue when booking your holiday.

1. Use a Verified Rental Website - The 'big boy's of the rental market are Home Away and Holiday Lettings, they in turn have smaller, national sites such as Abritel in France.

2. Length of Time of Advert - Even on these larger sites verify how long the property has been advertised, they will all tell you and will give you a clear indication of a istory of successful retals.

3. Price - If it seems to good to be true then it usually is. If you are looking at a wonderful 6 bedroom St Tropez Villa in the middle of July and it's a 10th of the price of anything else you've seen then think very carefully why....

4. Domaine Names - If you are not using one of the major rental websites then check out who is the owner of the domaine name - that's the website name, so for us it's www.CotedazurVillaRentals.com. Use one of the key registration sites such as Who Is and you will be able to see who owns the domaine and how long they have owned it. If they've been in business for only a few weeks then you should be concerned.

5. Tesimonials - All websites, including ours have testimonals from previous clients, all satisfied customers and all of whom will be very happy to talk to you about their experience. Any agency will be happy to put you in contact with previous clients and a word of mouth recommendation is worth a million web-site listings.

So our advice is to take care, use the key rental websites and talk to your agency very carefully....individuals who pop up with beautiful villas to rent a silly prices are really to good to be true. 

We look forward to welcoming you to the South of France.....

Book South of France Villa Rentals Early for 2016

It's July, it's hot, the beaches are well used and yes! We are already taking bookings for summer 2016.

5 Reasons to Book your South of France Villa Rental early

1. Choice - If you want the best choice of villas then you need to book early for those key summer dates

2. Rates - Many of our villa owners will hold their rates for early bird bookings

3. Size - If you are looking for a larger villa for a group of family or friends then these are the villas that book first

4. Location - It's always about location so if you have that amazing sea view or a stroll to the village firmly on your holiday schedule then early booking is a must.

5. Spread the cost - Book now and pay only a 30% deposit, the remainder will not be due until 8 weeks before you arrive.

Call the team at Cote d'Azur Villas today and have the pick of the villas for your 2016 holiday.

Canicule Hot in the South of France this Summer.

Summer in the South of France and it's hot, hot, hot. In France we call this heatwave a 'Canicule' which is when the day time temperatures are above 30 degrees and it stays above 20 degrees at night.

If you're on holiday in one of our South of France villas to rent then here are our top 5 tips for staying cool this summer

1. Drink Water - Wine and cocktails are great but they can dehydrate you so keep the water levels topped up at all times and make sure the younger and older members of your party are doing the same

2. Mid Day Sun - Mad dogs and Englishmen are renowned for being out in the midday sun. Stay out of the midday heat - retire to a cool and dark room inside, if you have air-con then this is really the time to use it and if not then all the shopping centres and cinemas are air-conditioned, go out and enjoy the cool

3. Keep it Closed - During the day keep all your doors, shutters and windows closed to avoid letting in the heat. Then, as the sun goes down and the air is cooler open the house and let in the refreshing breeze.

4. Pool Time - If you're spending a day around the pool then dip in and out as much as you can and sit in your damp swimwear all day, cool and relaxing.

5. Sun protection - Hats, cream, t-shirts and more....we all love the sun but covering up is the best way to enjoy your holiday.

The team at Cote d'Azur Villas wish you a wonderful holiday in the South of France this year.

Cannes Villa Soubran South of France

New to the portfolio and available for summer in the South of France is Villa Soubran. In the hills above Cannes, the villa has 5 bedrooms and sleeps up to 10 guests. Built to take full advantage of the sublime sea views.

Available for summer in the South of France, Cannes holiday rentals with the team at Cote d'Azur Villas. 

Lou d'Olives South of France Villa

Last 2 summer weeks available! This magnificent estate in the hills above Cannes has only 2 summer weeks left available, 18 - 25 July and 22 - 29 August. Reduced to just 11,000 Euros / week.

Lou d'Olives, an exceptional property has 7 bedrooms and sleeps 14 guests, there is a magnificent pool area and panoramic sea and countryside views.

5 Top Tips for your Wedding in the South of France

The South of France is now firmly on the list of locations for that perfect destination wedding and the team at Cote d'Azur Villas have a hand-picked selection of villas that are perfect for your very special day. But the prospect of organising your wedding in a foreign language and many miles away from your home can be daunting. Here are our Top 5 Tips for that perfect wedding in the South of France

1. Book Your Villa Early - The most popular of venues book 12 months in advance.

Les Pirettes - the Perfect Wedding Villa

2. Choose Your Caterer Carefully - Look carefully at references and experience and make very sure that they can work with your ideas and your budget

Photo courtesty of the team at Adams & Adams Innovative Catering & Event Management

3. Date - July & August are very hot....think May and towards the end of September for the most beautiful blue skies and ambient temperatures

Bastide de Castelleras - Valbonne

4. Rain - Yes, we have that in the South of France, make a contingency plan for bad weather and our betting is that you won't have to use it

Stretch Tents - Great for shade or that odd shower of rain

5. Wedding Planner - If you are not a list queen or have any kind of event planning experience then our very best tip is to work with a locally based wedding planner - use their contacts, their expertise and simply sit back and enjoy the day.

Congratulations! Here's to your perfect wedding day in the South of France

Vue de St Paul - Prestige Contemporary Villa in the South of France

new to the portfolio, this exeptional contemporary villa, Vue de St Paul is now available for summer 2015 rentals.

6 Bedrooms, sleeps 12 - the ideal South of France Summer Rental.

Exceptional outside space and pool

Relax in this have of peace and tranqulity

Enjoy spectacular views over St Paul de Vence. 

Outside living and dining

Contemporary Kitchen

Vast living areas

Master bedroom with fireplace

Home Gym

Games Room

Indoor Pool

Indoor Spa

It's all about the Caps here in the South of France

Cap d'Antibes & St Jean Cap Ferrat are possibly the 2 most sought after locations here on the French Riviera for those seeking a luxury villa to rent in the South of France.

The Cap d'Antibes offers white sandy beaches, exclusive beach restaurants and a wonderful selection of villas to rent.

Villa Les Nielles - Cap d'Antibes

La Gardiole - Cap d'Antibes

St Jean Cap Ferrat is one of the oldest resorts on the French Riviera and is home to some of the most celebrated private villas such as Villa Euphrussi. This is a green, lush peninsula and offers the ultimate in luxury and privacy for those renting a villa on the French Riviera. 

Villa Oxyene - St Jean Cap Ferrat

Prestige Villas in the South of France

Just launched.....for the discerning traveller.....Cote d'Azur Villas are delighted to offer you a selection of the prestige villas in the South of France and Provence.

Prestige Villas are all holiday and corporate rental villas that are set in the most amazing of locations, that feel luxurious inside and out and that are equipped to the highest of standards.

All our Prestige Villas include

- A delicious welcome hamper featuring local produce
- Your fridge stocked with water and soft drinks
- Local wines and a bottle of champagne
- 24 hour Concierge service on request (additional charge may apply)

Whatever you need for your holiday then we are here to help. Airport transfers, a private chef, a caterer for a family party… Booking a Prestige Villa is your guarantee of the perfect stay in the South of France.

Cannes Lions 2015 Deadline for Entries

Cannes Lions is the event for all things marketing, advertising and creative and takes place each year in Cannes, this year from 20th - 27th at the Palais des Festivals.

Ten deadline for entries into the main competition arena is 27th March 2015 and we all look forward to seeing this years finalists. The judging takes place just before the event in June, from 15th - 18th with, of course, the presentation of the awards during the event itself.

The event is a festival of exhibitions, workshops, keynote speakers and of course much corporate entertaining.

If you are visting Cannes for the Lions 2015 then the team at Cote d'Azur Villas have the perfect villa rental for you.

Villa Alexandra - Cannes

Sterling Exchange Rate Boosts South of France Villa Rentals

Visit the South of France this Summer and it's now even less expensive if you are travelling from the UK. Recent exchange rate changes makes the South of France even more of an attractive option for Summer 2015.

At the end of last year the exchange rate was giving visitors 1.20 Euros to the Pound, today the rate sits around 1.38 Euros and of course for the team at Ctoe d'Azur Villas, all the villa rental prices are in euros - use that extra holiday money to upgrade to a prestige villa.

Villa Romarin - Available for Summer 2015

Top Marques Monaco Flying Car

The ultimate super car show returns to Monaco from 16th - 19th April 2015. held at the Grimladi Forum on the waterfront Top Marques is the show case for wome of the world's most amazing super cars.

This year the event will showcase the advanced prototype of a flying car - yes, a flying car! The AeroMobil will be demonstrating the miraculous conversion from car to plane.

The event will also see the launch of 6 brand new vehicles Manufacturers from all corners of the world – including America, Russia, Finland and the UK – have chosen the niche exhibition held annually in Monaco, the international capital of luxury, to unveil their latest state-of-the- art technologies.

If you are planning to visit Top Marques then book a villa close by with the team at Cote d'Azur Villas 

Cote d'Azur Villas Meet PCI Compliance Standards

Managing rental payments and more specifically on-line payments is an integral part of the way Cote d'Azur Villas work. The ability to choose your perfect holiday villa, make the reservation and pay by credit card, all in a timely and seamless fashion is at the heart of the business.

Thanks to Worldpay, the transactions are all made in a risk free environment but Cote d'Azur Villas are still required to meet the stringent PCI DSS Standards. The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a proprietary information security standard for organizations that handle branded credit cards from the major card brands including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and JCB.

As of 2nd March 2015, Cote d'Azur Villas meet all the required PCI standards and will carry out on-going reviews of all procedures and policies to ensure that all business is transacted in line with PCI compliance standards.

The Former Home of Edith Piaf Les Parettes

The wonderful former home of the 'Little Sparrow' Edith Piaf is now available for weddings and events here in the South of France. Les Parettes is the ideal wedding venue.

This exceptional stone bastide enjoys luxurious interiors and sweeping lawns, ideal for the perfect wedding day. Say your vows under the dappled shade of the majestic pine trees, celebrate with a glass of champage by the side of the azur pool and enjoy a delicious wedding breakfast on the lush green lawn.

For a more intimate celebration the Garden Room will seat up to 50 guests for a dinner, ideal for those cooler spring and autumn months.

It's Carnival Time in the South of France

Quiet in the Winter months? Not here in the South of France, it's February which can only mean one thing - Nice Carnival is in town. 

Think Mardi Gras, think New Orleans, think one of the biggest and most colourful parties that you've ever been to and you'll have come close to the spectacle that is Nice Carnival. 

This year the theme is 'King of Music' and the colour parades of floats take place night and day between 15th February and the 1st March with over 1,000 dancers and performers. 

February is a great time to travel to the South of France, the skies are blue and it's still warm enough to each lunch outside. And of course there are great rates to be found for South of France villa rentals. 

South of France New Eurostar Service

From the 1st May 2015 arriving in the South of France will be even easier thanks to a new Eurostar service travelling directly from London to Marseille each day. Journey time is around 6 and half hours which compares more than favourably with check in times, flight times and time remaining to collect your luggage - and of course no luggage restrictions.

Arriving at Marseille Gare Saint Charles you are able to pick up a rental car and head directly into the heart of Provence or across to the French Riviera. Or perhaps a 2 centre holiday with a week on the Cote d'Azur and then a week or two enjoying the quieter, more relaxed lifestyle in a Provencal village.

Villa Romarin in the hills above Cannes

Arc en Ciel in Lourmarin, one of the prettiest villages in Provence

We offer an unrivaled selection of villas to rent throughout the South of France, the Cote d'Azur and Provence. Contact our Villa specialist today to book your perfect holiday villa.