South France Villas guide to our favourite beaches on the Cote D’Azur the French Riviera.

From Monaco down to St Tropez, the Cote d’Azur beaches offer something for everybody on holiday in the South of France.

One imagines that all the beaches on this wonderful coast line are impeccable, with fine white sand, shallow waters and luxurious sun loungers. This is true for most of the beaches, however the Cote d’Azur coastline can also be rugged and au natural however still stunningly beautiful.

1. Paloma Plage - Saint Jean Cap Ferret 

 

Named after Picasso’s daughter Paloma, as they spent lots of family time on this beach. Nowadays it is one of the most popular and exclusive beaches around Cap Ferret and the place to be seen. The beach itself is shingle and not sand, however the picture perfect surroundings more than compensate for this. Eze, Cap d’ail and Beaulieu can all be seen from the beach and as the bay is sheltered it is just the perfect place to top up your tan.

The Paloma private beach restaurant pretty much takes over the beach, the menu is as you would expect on the beach, fresh fish, and salads etc along with being expensive! The service and yet again the view do make it worth every euro!

Our tip- Visit in May, June and September and don’t forget to ring and book your place either for a sunbed on the beach or for a lunch/dinner reservation.

2. Plage des Marinières - Villefranche Sur Mer 

 

A public beach with coarse sand and crystal clear blue sea, imagine yourself living the life of luxury on one the many super yachts which dock in the deep waters including cruise ships and the American Navy.
There are plenty of places to eat or just buy a sandwich, an ice-cream, or something to quench your thirst. Access is easy and there is a large carpark. The train line runs alongside the beach and the station is just a few minutes’ walk away, the downside of this is the sound of the trains may disturb your siesta!

Our Tip- A good old fashioned beach ideal for a family picnic.

3. Plage de la Garoupe- Cap d’Antibes 

 

This beach made the headlines last year when it decided to ban selfies or as they are now known braggies! http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel

We can understand why you would want everyone to know you were here on this beach, but surely it is much better to just enjoy the moment! The beach is mainly private with dining tables and sunbeds covering most of the sand and some are actually in the water! A good choice of food and excellent wine and champagne lists can be found at the beach restaurants.

Our Tip- A great place for that special occasion, the place to be seen!

4. Beau Rivage - Nice 

 

This is the largest private beach on the Côte d'Azur and maybe even in France! Whatever your mood there is a corner for you. The Lounge Box for a VIP experience, the Ovale beach bar, the beach straw (bistro on the beach), restaurants both inside and on the terrace, cocktail bar.… The drinks menu ranges from 4.50 Euro for a beer to 400 Euros for a bottle of Cristal Champagne! Hungry? A wide range of tapas is available all day and the restaurant is open for lunch and dinner daily.

There are over 300 sun-loungers and they are famous for their “double beds”, daily packages can include champagne and strawberries.

Live Music and DJ’s in the evening turn the beach into a great party atmosphere.

Our Tip- This really is the place to people watch!

5. Plage des Salins - St Tropez 

 

Situated about 6 kilometres from St Tropez, this is not a star studded beach but offers more of a family atmosphere than the more famous Pampelonne beach in St Tropez.

It is perfect should you wish to escape the St Tropez lifestyle for the afternoon. The beach is about just over half a kilometre long and gets very busy in July and August, life guards are on duty, showers and toilets along with parking are available free of charge.

There is one beach restaurant with sun-loungers for hire.

Our Tip - Great place to escape to in June or September.


South France Villas have a good choice of  holiday villas near to the sea on the Cote d’Azur, we have been making holidays special for over 15 years.

So let us plan your holiday the way that you would plan your own...

 http://www.southfrancevillas.com/holiday-villas-in-cote-d-azur

South of France Villa Holiday, Eurostar or Budget airline?

Are you thinking of having a villa holiday in the South of France and wondering how to get there?

When booking a holiday to France, one wonders how should we travel. Train, Plane, or take the car?

Eurostar have announced a direct service from St Pancras to Avignon and Marseille in the South of France. The all year service starts on the 1st of May 2015, my initial thoughts are fantastic one no longer the needs to cross Paris with suitcases, or change platforms and hope the train is on time at Lyon or Lille...
Unfortunately this only works on the UK to France journey, immigration rules that on the France to UK leg one must leave the train at Lille (along with all your luggage!) pass through customs and then get back on the train. Not an ideal way to end your South of France holiday.

Prices for a one week holiday travelling on the 30th May are from £119 return, this price includes unlimited luggage and an allocated seat. Travelling for 2 weeks from the 25th of July and the price creeps up to £274 return.

Ryanair fly from Luton to Nimes and various other local airports in the South of France. Queue to check in, queue to pass through security and then queue to board the plane, however it is only a 90 minute flight.... Prices for a one week holiday travelling on the 30th May are from £87 return, this price includes 10 kg hand luggage and an allocated seat upon check in. The Business Plus option which includes a 20 kg
checked in bag, priority seat and boarding is from £172 return. Travelling for 2 weeks from the 25th of July the price creeps up to £260 for the basic option and £367 for the Business Plus.

So which one would I choose for a holiday to the South of France?

The train offers good value for money and a comfortable scenic journey, however depending upon where you live in the UK the flight can be the quickest and the cheapest option if you travel lightly.

After comparing the scenarios for my elderly parents, I have decided that I would use both services. The train for the journey down to the South of France, as they don't like all the hassle at the large UK airports and they would also enjoy admiring the French countryside. For the return journey I would choose the flight, the small local airports like Nimes and Beziers are so quaint that I can actually watch them board the plane and with no duty free shops at these airports any leftover Euros can be saved for the next trip to the South of France!

South France Holiday Villa

For more information on getting to the South of France, or for a villa holiday in the South of France check out the South France Villas guide

South of France - Sun, Sea, and Seafood!

The coastline of the Herault is abundant with fantastic restaurants and quirky spots to sample the gastronomic delights of the region. Especially if you are a seafood lover! The Etang de Thau has to be the epitome of oyster growing in the south of France, it is the largest and deepest of the lagoons in the Languedoc and has the widest variety of marine life.

The nearby villages of Bouzigues and Marseillan have the wonderful charm of ancient fishing ports and beautiful marinas lined by restaurants and cafes.
There could not be a more idyllic place to enjoy a platter of oysters and bottle of Picpoul de Pinet – the local classic combination.



The freshest oysters that are grown on the beds that stretch out into the Etang and the classic crisp, zesty and fresh wine grown in the vineyards surrounding the villages and mad only a few miles down the road….what could be more perfect?

If you are looking for a Fruit de Mer feast then look no further than La Ferme Marine.
A local favourite located in a rather unassuming plot right on the Etang and just 5 minutes out of Marseillan. When visiting in the day time you will get a spectacular panoramic view of the the Etang and and across the water the town Sète and the Mont St-Clair hill just above it.

The restaurants atmosphere is busy and convivial, so leave your airs and graces at the door and be ready to get stuck into a seafood fest of oyster slurping, prawn peeling and crab claw cracking. The all you can eat buffet has a plethora of seafood all waiting to be sampled, including oysters fresh out of the Etang, half crabs and crab claws, cockles, mussels and juicy pink prawns.

The greedy among us will rejoice to know that the buffet is “à volonté” meaning you can eat as much as you like! The restaurant also serves a variety of hot and cold à la carte dishes, a spectacular favourite of these is the Parillada which is a platter piled high with a variety of grilled fish, king prawns and scallops.

If you are looking for a holiday filled with gastronomic delights then a family holiday booked with South France Villas may just be exactly what you are looking for!

http://www.lafermemarine.fr/

Happy New Year from South France Villas

We wish you a very Happy New Year and we hope that 2015 brings you joy and happiness. 

After a wonderful break recuperating we are refreshed and raring to go, ready for our busiest time of the year!
New year is when the holiday dreams start, Christmas is forgotten and one starts dreaming of the sunshine, clear blue skies, sandy beaches, glorious Mediterranean food, and maybe a glass of wine by the pool… South France Villas can make these dreams come true.

What about a week or two in this fabulous villa which is directly on a beach, has its own private swimming pool, and  restaurants, bars and shops are within walking distance.
Villa Fabienne can sleep up to 10 people so there is plenty of room for 2 families or Grandparents!

For a Honeymoon or a romantic escape to the South of France, this beautiful villa  La-maniere is just wonderful with a large pool and garden.

What better way to start the New Year by booking your spring or summer holiday.





We now have over 250 holiday villas across the South of France; Languedoc, Provence and the Cote d’Azur and we are adding new villas every week. All our villas have a swimming pool or are directly on the beach. You will be spoilt for choice!

Thinking of visiting the South of France for your 2015 family holiday?

Should I book my villa rental early or wait for a last minute deal?

South France Villas top 5 advantages of booking your summer holiday early.

1. You get to choose exactly what you would like with no compromises.
2. Take advantage of the early booking offers on Flights, Eurostar and Ferry travel.
3. Something to look forward to, "this time next month I will be in the South of France"….only so many sleeps!
4. Easier to budget as your deposit has already been paid.
5. Plenty of time to plan your holiday agenda, the best places to visit, which beaches etc.

When should I book? If you are a large group with specific requirements then the earlier the better. The larger Southern France villas with pools, en-suite bathrooms, air-conditioning, heated pools and within walking distances of shops, restaurants etc., can already be fully booked for the school summer holidays by mid January. 

Francophiles who come to the South of France every year have even been known to book 18 months in advance to ensure they get the right villa or location. For example, this wonderful villa with breathtaking views over Collioure, Languedoc has only one peak season week left Villa-la-voile , don’t panic we have many other fabulous villas that do have availability! Like this lovely one near Grasse on the Cote d’Azur Villa-des-Pierres, with heated pool and a hot tub.

Should I wait for a last minute special offer? Again, this depends on your requirements. If you are not too concerned about staying in a specific South of France village or town and are a small family with date flexibility then maybe you could take the risk. However, you may find that the best ones will have been snapped up. New Villas are been added all the time, so this could work to your advantage. This French villa on a golf course near Pezenas was new to the site in August La-Petite-Bastide - a great family rental.

Mushroom time in the South of France

We just love the new season Mushrooms that can now be found at the local markets and supermarkets, not only do they taste good but they look pretty too. I was once asked to go mushroom gathering but the 5 am pick up time put me off! However the only reason that you need to go so early is to get there before everybody else! The locals know exactly where to go but it is TOP SECRET. If you are a hiker/walker and get to far out places then you may just stumble across some great Mushrooms, that is unless you get shot by the hunters, but that is another story…

The French are great at foraging for food, Wild Asparagus, Truffles, Garlic and Mushrooms, whilst Brits can be a little apprehensive as a conscious nagging thought keeps popping up “is it poisonous?” well if in doubt you can take the mushrooms to the Pharmacy and they will tell you if you if they are safe. I always thought this was just a myth, but last year I saw a British lady with a plastic bag full of mushrooms walk into the Pharmacy, before she even got her words out there was an outcry from fellow customers  “Non ce n’est pas possible, jamais mettre les champignons dans un sac plastique !”don’t put mushrooms in a plastic bag! I never did find out if they were edible or not.

The most popular mushrooms here in the South of France are; Cepes, Girolles, Oronges and Morilles.

So if you have foraged or bought your mushrooms here are a couple of our favourite recipes.

Barbecued Cepes

A really easy recipe only 20 minutes preparation and 8 minutes cooking time.
Ingredients:
750g of very fresh cepes, 1 small clove garlic per mushroom
2 tablespoons of olive oil,1 bunch of fresh parsley, salt and pepper.

Carefully clean the mushrooms, by wiping them with a damp cloth, heat the barbecue (or grill) the best results are from a traditional bbq using old vine cuttings "sarments". Peel the garlic clove and make a small slit in each mushroom and insert the clove of garlic if they are too big just cut the clove in half. Brush with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Place mushrooms on the grill or BBQ and grill for 7-8 minutes, turning regularly. Whilst they are cooking, wash and chop the parsley.When the mushrooms are cooked, sprinkle with the parsley and serve immediately whilst very hot.


Wild Mushroom Fricassee

Wild Mushroom Fricassee

30 minutes of easy preparation, cooking time 25 minutes.Serves 4: 
700 g mushrooms (Cepes , Oyster, Girolles or any that you can get your hands on...), 
2 small shallots, 
10cl of white wine, 
15cl of cream, 
1 small bunch of parsley, 
3 tablespoons of olive oil, salt and pepper.

Clean the mushrooms carefully with a soft brush or damp cloth (do not wash). Remove the earthy part of the stem, if some mushrooms are large, cut into pieces. Peel and finely chop the shallots and parsley.Heat the oil in a large frying pan. If using Cepes add these first and cook for 5 minutes over medium heat, then add the other mushrooms and fry for another 5-6 minutes.
Add the shallots and parsley and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Pour over the white wine, and reduce until dry then add the cream, season with salt and pepper. Simmer over low heat until there is just enough cream to coat the mushrooms (6-7 min). Adjust the seasoning. Serve immediately.

Why not visit one of our lovely villas in the South of France and try your hand at mushroom picking, or just visit the fantastic local markets and buy them fresh along with many other great local produce. South France Villas

This beautiful large holiday rental in the Haut Languedoc Natural park is perfect for lovers of total tranquility and escapism, or those who prefer the outdoors as the local walks and hikes are spectacular. A great place to try your hand at mushroom picking, take a picnic and make a day of it.
This Languedoc holiday house sits within a 700m2 garden, has a kidney-shaped pool and is totally private, standing alone amidst stunning mountainous scenery and overlooking ancient Château ruins. Idyllic! 40 minutes from the city of Montpellier, plus the South of France sandy beaches are only an hour away.

South of France Villa for lovers of total tranquillity and escapism 

A real French experience - Grape picking in the South of France

Wine harvest season starts in September – why not book a villa with us and experience this exciting season in the most beautiful vineyards in the South of France. We have a selection of last minute Holiday Homes in Provence, Languedoc and Cote d’Azur. 

Here is some advice to follow if you want to witness this seasonal activity.

A farmer’s grape harvest takes any time between 7 and 18 days. The weather during harvesting is still warm but there are less tourists so you get to explore more during your time off. Provence, Cote d’Azur and Languedoc are all famous for their high-quality wines and some vineyards still employ many people from all over the world during the grape harvest season. Usually there are three types of positions to be filled: cutters, carriers, and those who empty the buckets. ‘Les vendanges’ (grape harvest) is hard work but definitely a once in a lifetime experience. After a day of hard work it is traditional for the farmers to arrange drinks for the ‘vendangeurs’ (grape pickers) and some farmers even provide lunch or dinner.

Grape picking in France

Languedoc, Provence& Cote d’Azur as wine producers

Languedoc remains the largest wine producing region in the world (2800 wine producers) even though its reputation was bad until the 1980s because of overproducing cheap wine in the 1970s. This, however, changed and the region has since recovered its status as a high quality wine producer – wine production in the region is all about quality over quantity. Why not rent a villa in the Languedoc and visit some of the wine domaines doing exciting new blends such as La Croix Belle or Les Chemins de Bassac. Have a look at the stunning Maison Mimosa right next to the river Orb, close to La Croix Belle or the Luxury Villa Domaine de Bassac next to Les Chemins de Bassac.

The oldest and one of the most famous wine producing areas, Provence, is internationally known for its refreshing and crisp light pink rosé wine. The total land area, 27,000 hectares, covers both Provence and parts of Cote d’Azur. There are around 600 wine producers in Provence and Cote d’Azur producing around 170 million bottles of wine each year (88% rosé, 9% red and 3% white). Even though the region is most famous for its rosé, you should also try powerful and structured red wines or delicate and light whites. 

Delicious grapes

Appellation

The ‘Appellation d’origine controlée (AOC sometimes AOP)’ is the French certification granted to certain French products, such as wines. The certification was originally formed to protect the ancient wines in France and to preserve them for future generations. There are over 300 French wines that are entitled to the designation of AOC on their label – around 30 in the Languedoc-Roussillon region and approximately 10 in Provence/Cote d’Azur area. The most famous ones include Côtes de Provence, Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Côte du Rhône, for example.

You can also find bottles that have been labelled as ‘Vin de Pays’ (VDP or IGP) – these wines are not necessarily lower quality than the AOC ones, they are wines that were made using grape varieties or procedures that were other than those required by the AOC rules. Some of the top wine producers especially in the Languedoc-Roussillon region have decided to work outside the AOC regulations meaning that ‘Vin de Pays’ wines are still excellent quality. There are now more than 150 VDP/IGP titles covering mostly locations in the South of France - we recommend trying the delicious wines of Mas de Daumas Gassac.

Many of our holiday homes in the South of France are situated close to the local wine domaines. If you want to stay in Languedoc, the biggest wine producing region in France, have a look at these properties:

Villa Elisabeth is perfect for 6 people,it has a private pool and it is very close to the beautiful Pezenas and Agde. It is also on special offer during September and October!

Lovely pool

If you are looking for a more contemporary holiday property in the Languedoc, check out Maison Nadine – it is situated right on the edge of a typical Mediterranean wine producing village making it the perfect spot if you want to do some grape picking.

Gorgeous views

Situated in a quiet wine growing village, Maison Minervois is a beautifully renovated and decorated Languedoc villa for 8 people – great location for your holiday in the South of France.

When you are looking for a South of France Luxury Villa, Casa St Elme is the perfect one! It sleeps 8 people, has a private pool, jacuzzi as well as magnificent views.

Casa St Elme

Fabulous views

Situated in one of the most beautiful villages in France,  La Grange in Roquebrun is a large villa with stunning views over the village. The local ‘appellation’ is St Chinian but some vineyards also produce wine for the ‘Faugères’ appellation. 

La Grange

Villa facade

Domaine de Beausejour is a charming 19^th century converted wine domaine very close to Beziers. It is also approximately 10km from the beach.

Domaine de Beausejour

Relax by the pool

When you want to stay in Provence, Villa Du Jardin right next to Aix-en-Provence is perfect if you want to witness the wine harvesting - there are several wine domaines in the region. This traditional Provencal villa has 5 bedrooms to sleep 8 people and also has a lovely private pool. 

Villa du Jardin

Beautiful pool area

If you would like to find out more about any of the featured properties above, or any of our other holiday villas in the South of France, Corsica or Morocco, please don't hesitate to get in touch!

UK: +44 (0)20 70 60 64 14

France: +33 (0)4 67 36 05 54

email: info@southfrancevillas.com