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Friday 27 June 2014

Why is it a Great Time to Rent a Villa in the South of France? The Sterling Surges!

Why is it a great time to rent a villa in the South of France?  Expert currency advice from our guest contributor Peter Lavelle alerts you to the pound surging in the last few weeks making your rental this summer in the Languedoc, Provence or the Riviera cheaper.


Great news for you if you plan to rent a villa in the south of France this year! It's currently less costly to do so, because the pound has hit its highest versus the euro in 20 months, or since October 1st 2012, at approximately 1.2563. So when you exchange currencies, you'll get a higher euro total!

How many more euros will you get when you rent in the south of France?
If you were to exchange £1,250 into euros to rent a villa in the south of France, you'd receive approximately +/- €150 more at present than if you'd done so when the pound was weak, back in March 2013, at around just 1.1371. So this isn't pocket change - the strong pound will add significantly to your final euro total!

Why is the pound rising against the euro now?
Sterling is strengthening against the euro for 2 reasons. The first is that the UK economy is forecast to grow 3.0% this year, more than any other major country. The second is that the Bank of England looks set to become the 1st major central bank since the recession to hike interest rates.

Will the pound continue to rise against the euro, further cutting the cost of renting  in the south of France?
The pound may just continue to rise further! This is because there is absolutely no sign that the UK's economic revival will let up any time soon. Quite the opposite, there are more people in work in the UK now than any time since records began, while prices in the UK housing market are surging.

So as the pound rises against the euro, it's a great time to rent a property in the south of France!

About the author
Peter Lavelle is a currency dealer at foreign exchange broker Pure FX. For free expert currency advice when you rent a property in the south of France, call him on +44 (0) 1494 671800 or email peter.lavelle@purefx.co.uk He'll be glad to help.

Here are 2 examples of rental properties in the South of France showing your approximate savings on booking a weeks' holiday in August now compared to March 2013: 

La Petite Bastide (HE091A) - A Languedoc Villa on a Golf Course near Beziers and the Mediterranean Beaches.The villa sleeps up to 6 people, has Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, private pool and a summer kitchen.  A week staying here in August is €2375. Paying in £ sterling in March 2013 this would have cost approximately £2088. With the current favourable exchange rate the same property costs approximately £1890 - a saving of around £200!
Holiday Home for rent with pool in the Languedoc
Benefit from getting more for your £'s! La Petite Bastide (HE091A) is approximately £200 cheaper in August when you book now compared to March 2013 due to the current great exchange rate.

Villa Ilana (AM035A) - A beautiful villa on the Cote d'Azur, above Sainte-Maxime with views of the Mediterranean and Saint-Tropez. Sleeping up to 8 people and equipped with air-conditioning, Wi-Fi and a large, curved, heated infinity pool. 
A week in August is €4375. If you booked and paid in £ Sterling in March 2013 this would have been approximately £3847. The same week booked now would be approximately £3482 - a saving of around £365!
Riviera, Luxury Villa rental with Private Pool
A saving of approximately £365! Villa Ilana (AM035A) near Sainte-Maxime on the Cote d'Azur.

Please note; The bank rates used by South France Villas may differ slightly from the rates shown above, however they do follow the same trend. To benefit fully from the strong £ sterling rate, you may find it advisable to research all options of payment before making the transaction.

If you would like any more information about our properties and their prices and availability, please do not hesitate to get in touch with South France Villas!
UK: +44 (0)207 060 5414
France +33 (0)4 67 36 05 54

Thursday 19 June 2014

Where are the 5 best music festivals in Languedoc, South of France this summer ?

Hottest Music Festivals & Concerts in the Languedoc for Summer 2014

Music Festival in the Languedoc

Saturday the 21st of June is officially the start of summer, however it is better known in France as the “Fete de la Musique”. Every city, town and village will be celebrating with music, locals dust off their instruments and play alongside the professionals, this is just taster before the summer festivals begin, and below we have highlighted 5 of our favourites.


1. Carcassonne Festival 19th of June to 1st of August, what do you prefer Rock or Opera?

Stay in a Carcassonne, villa whilst visiting the festival
The amazing open air theatre.
Elton John who is headlining this year was just 10 years old when this festival was created in 1957! There are a  wide range of performances, from rock groups like Status Quo, and Franz Ferdinand to the historical Don Giovanni Opera.

This festival highlights the cultural diversity available in the area of Carcassonne. The Medieval Citadel was named as a world heritage site in the late nineties, and its intimate open-air theatre provides an amazing setting for the shows along with spectacular acoustics.
There are also plenty of free concerts, street theatre, dance shows, classical music and comedy shows around the city.

Also playing this year are James Blunt, Mike and the Mechanics and Vanessa Paradis.

2. Worldwide festival Sete 30th of June to the 6th of July.

Luxury beach villas to rent in Sete, Languedoc
Sete beach party.
Created by Gilles Peterson in 2006, this festival transforms the fishing town of Sete into a mini Glastonbury! 
There are 5 venues across the town where a mix of unique live music and D J’s will play; the beach stage, the Paul Valery Museum, the Theatre de la Mer, St Christ and the contemporary art centre.
Many of the events are free of charge, however buy yourself a 4 day or week pass and you can get priority access to all the venues.

3. Les Deferlantes,  Argelès-sur-Mer,  7th, 8th and 9th of July

Apartments and villas to rent in Argeles sur mer near the festival.
Club atmosphere by the Chateau!
Les Déferlantes (the unfurling of the waves) is a 3-day summer festival set in the grounds of an old French chateau in Argelès-sur-Mer, near the Spanish border. Live music begins around 4 in the afternoon although the chateau grounds are open during the day as people picnic and drink beers in the sun. It is a child-friendly festival, especially popular among young teenagers.

Acts this year include, Vanessa Paradis, Blondie, UB40, Lilly Allen and Phoenix to name a few.

4. Nimes Festival 28th of June until 24th of July

Holiday villas to rent near Nimes, Languedoc
The Roman amphitheatre
This festival was established in 1997 and offers a great line up of concerts set in the Roman amphitheatre, built over 2000 years ago it is a prime example of Roman engineering. The historic city of  Nimes hosts many events during the year and the amphitheatre is the perfect setting in which to watch and listen to the performing artists.

Acts this year include , Arctic Monkeys , ZZ Top, Ben Miller Band and The Kills.

5. Jazz in Sete 12th to the 19th of July 

Luxury vacation accommodation in Sete, South of France
What a view!
Sete again ! Featuring twice on our list, this town has really changed in the last few years, luxury villas have been built by the sea, fantastic bars and restaurants on the beach and great music.

This small amphitheatre known locally as the Theatre de la mer, set on the Sete coastline has breath-taking views over the Mediterranean Sea. With only 1485 seats you almost feel that you are enjoying a private concert.
Jeff Beck the internationally acclaimed Grammy winner will be strumming his guitar here on the 12th of July. Also performing in July are Bettye LaVette, Nikky Yanofsky, and Gregory Porter.  

Why not rent one of South France Villas properties near to the festivals including our amazing villas in Sete directly on the beach. Please call us on 0044 207 060 5414 or visit www.southfrancevillas.com