French house party

LA MAISON JAUNE,
Zilia, Corsica
Sleeps 4

Corsica’s coastline may be stunning in places, but it’s the high rocky interior that displays the island’s true character.

Zilia is a typical hilltop village, and La Maison Jaune is one of its principal houses — the mayor used to live here, and some of the village elders can still remember wedding parties within its walls. That’s not to say it’s palatial, exactly, but the recent renovation has been a great success. If you’re looking for a comfortable perch with a strong sense of local identity, you won’t be disappointed. One week, arriving August 6, costs £595pp, including flights and car hire.
With whom? Corsican Places (0845 330 2113, www.corsicanplaces.co.uk), which offers a range of villas, apartments and older houses all over the island.

LES ALPAGES DU CHANTEL,
Les Arcs, French Alps
Sleeps 4-6

Currently, one of the real steals in the summer-holiday market is the French Alps. It’s low season up there, but the ski resorts are working flat out to build up their summer business. As a result, you’ll find a blizzard of activities on offer and prices that are hard to beat. Arc 1800 is purpose-built and no beauty, but the scenery is stunning and the range of distractions — including golf, climbing, horse-riding, rafting, kayaking and paragliding — will exhaust even the most hyperactive family. Les Alpages du Chantel are the apartments of choice: one week, arriving August 5, costs £575 for a two-bedroom property. Ferry crossings are not included: contact SeaFrance (0870 571 1711, www.seafrance.com), or P&O Ferries (0870 598 0333, www.poferries.com).
With whom? Erna Low (0870 750 6820, www.ernalow.co.uk) is a ski specialist that also runs a summer programme to several Alpine resorts.

A LA VILLE,
Sauveterre-la- Lémance, Lot Valley
Sleeps 4

For a small place, A La Ville packs in a lot of luxury. It dates back to 1550 and has been renovated to include a floodlit indoor pool and all manner of artwork and antiques such as an ancient four-poster bed. It’s the perfect base for exploring the many historic treasures to the south, including the spectacular hilltop Château de Bonaguil and the 15th-century frescoes in the church at Martignac. One week, arriving August 12, costs £1,624 for the property, with ferry crossings for one car and passengers.
With whom? VFB Holidays (01242 240310, www.vfbholidays.co.uk), which has one of the most extensive portfolios in the business, covering Burgundy, Alsace and the Jura, as well as all the old favourites.

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THE PRESBYTERY,
Le Conquet, Brittany
Sleeps 4

Bright, white and uncluttered, this is part of a former presbytery, recently converted into two gîtes and the owner’s own house. The pool and garden are shared, but given the price and location, who’s complaining? Le Conquet is a pretty, undeveloped spot that sits right at the end of the Breton peninsula; the nearest beach is only a five-minute walk from the gîtes. One week, arriving August 19, costs £1,118 for the property, including ferry crossings.
With whom? Brittany Ferries (0870 556 1600, www.brittanyferries.co.uk), which, as you might imagine, is strong on northwest France, but also features just about every French region you can think of.

VILLA PURPUR,
Mougins, Côte d’Azur
Sleeps 4-5

Close enough to Cannes (just three miles away) to feel the buzz of the Côte d’Azur, but far enough inland to escape the crowds, Villa Purpur has just about every base covered. Foursquare and handsome, with proper shuttered windows, this is everyone’s idea of what a French house should look like, yet it’s home to such ultramodern features as an infinity pool. The views are sensational. One week, arriving August 5, costs £2,700 for the property, not including flights (Nice is the obvious place to fly to) or ferry crossings (see Les Alpages du Chantel, above).
With whom? CV Travel (0870 606 0802, www.cvtravel.co.uk), which has a portfolio that covers properties of all sizes in Provence, the Dordogne and the Côte d’Azur.

LE MAS ROSEMERRY,
Beaumes de Venise, Provence
Sleeps 6

The northern end of Provence is where gastronomes go. Not only is it home to such stellar wine-producing villages as Gigondas, Vacqueyras and Rasteau, it’s also the setting for a thriving market scene. And Le Mas Rosemerry is the perfect spot in which to unpack all your shopping bags. Within walking distance of the village, but surrounded by vineyards, it contains a well-equipped kitchen in the main house, as well as a shaded terrace for alfresco meals and a separate pool house for midday salads and general lounging about. One week, arriving August 12, costs £2,140 for the property, including Eurotunnel crossings.
With whom? Voyages Ilena (020 7924 4440, www.voyagesilena.co.uk), which is strong on this underrated area and also features properties in Corsica and Sardinia.

RESIDENCE LES MOLIETS,
Moliets, Les Landes
Sleeps 4-10

Fancy a completely hassle-free trip? Then target this holiday camp for the well heeled. Each of the nine luxury-grade properties has its own chef, private garden and pool, and the ruler-straight coastline of Les Landes is only five minutes away (as are the tennis courts and golf course). Of greatest interest to weary parents, however, will be the children’s club, which has its own clubhouse and pool. One week, full-board, arriving August 2, costs £1,445pp for adults, £400pp for children aged 2-11 (under-2s cost just £105), including flights and transfers, based on four grown-ups and two children sharing a three-bedroom villa. Children’s clubs cost from £95 per child, per week.
With whom? Scott Dunn (020 8682 5040, www.scottdunn.com), which has cornered the market in fully serviced luxury villa holidays. Be quick if you want to sample its offerings this summer — the range of available properties is severely limited.

HOURTON,
Aignan, Gascony
Sleeps up to 14

Hourton is a sensitive restoration of a large 18th-century farmhouse, built mostly from stone but also featuring some extraordinarily wonky half-timbered sections. All mod cons are provided, however — and outside, in the 2-acre garden, you’ll find a large pool and a tennis court. The surrounding area is d’Artagnan country — birthplace of Alexandre Dumas’ famous musketeer, and the former front line between England and France in the Hundred Years’ War (which accounts for all the hilltop bastides — walled towns). Toulouse and Pau are the nearest airports. One week, arriving August 5, costs £2,650 for the property, not including flights, or ferry crossings (see Les Alpages du Chantel, above). A chef is also available on request.
With whom? The Gascony Secret (01284 827253, www.gascony-secret.com), which offers everything from chateaux to cottages in this rapidly emerging region.

SAINTE-HÉLÈNE,
Périgueux, Dordogne
Sleeps 14

Francophile fantasies are made of places such as Sainte Hélène — a classic Périgordine confection of honey-coloured walls, a steep, red-tiled roof and cool, airy interiors. You’ll want for nothing here — the garden is large and shady, the pool big enough for a modest gala and there is even a games room for the odd rainy afternoon. The regional capital, Périgueux, is only a mile away, but well hidden from view. There’s still a chance to rent the property for a week, arriving August 12, for £3,310, not including ferry crossings (see Les Alpages du Chantel, above).
With whom? Dominique’s Villas (020 7738 8772, www.dominiquesvillas.co.uk), which specialises in larger, quintessentially French properties, ranging from stout medieval chateaux to gracious country villas.

STOP ME AND BUY ONE

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