Holidays to Europe – What to do in Grasse, France – the world’s perfume capital

March 2018

Where to stay in Grasse

“There are a good selection of hotels in Grasse but for a relaxing stay in your own villa, South France Villas offer a fantastic selection of self-catering accommodation in Grasse and throughout Provence and the French Riviera.”

The Sunday Times – Travel – France 2018

January 2018

The Orangerie

“If you want visual drama with your morning croissants, this is where to find it – thanks to five towering French windows, and views of a 13th-century chateau. The Orangerie is the coolest part of the Domaine Occitania estate, near Beziers, and mixes sharp modern lines with rubble-stone walls and 12ft potted plants. Outside, you’ll find a basalt plunge pool, 20 acres of parkland and never-ending sense of “wow”. Delusions of grandeur are inevitable.”

Air Charter Service – Europe’s Top 10 Luxury Villa Rentals

June 2017 - Château Maximillian featured in Air Charter Service article

Château Maximillian

“Jet out to Nice for a stay in this historic listed building on the French Riviera. Built in 1884 for the Baron Maximillian Von Budai, the six-bed chateau has been lovingly restored and is ideally situated for trips to Nice, nearby beaches and Monaco. The wraparound pool, gardens and terraces showcase sweeping views of the Mediterranean, but the highlight of the property is The Tower, which features a bedroom, private roof terrace, gym, and hot tub. The remaining five bedrooms are spread throughout the property and an independent apartment.”

High Life – British Airways Magazine

May 2017 - Villa La Napoule featured in High Life Magazine

Villa La Napoule

“Rather than cramming your loved ones into a tiny room on the Croisette, head out of town. Not so much a villa as your own private resort, La Napoule can host multiple families – and all their cars and kit, too. The bright lights and big boats of Cannes are just a ten-minute drive away, but if you decide to stay poolside, the garden is large enough for kids to explore and adults to find some solitude in the sun.”

Holidays to Europe – Best places to visit in Provence

March 2017

Villa La Napoule

“After my 2015 visit to Provence, I wrote about my week exploring the villages of the Luberon but to get another perspective, I asked Alissa from South France Villas to share her favourite Provencal towns and villages.”

Roomy Home – “Floating until further notice”

September 2016

Dar Amizmiz

“The pool terrace is magnificent, as is the rest of the house. You’ll not be surprised to find that the architect, Imaad Rahmouni, is a former colleague of Philippe Starck. There’s plenty of polished concrete, rough hewn timber, a hidden courtyard and two acres of garden including a tennis court. Plus views of the Atlas Mountains.”

French Wedding Style

September 2016

Domaine Fontaine du Mas

“We came across Domaine Fontaine du mas when we were on holiday nearby the year before. Surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, it is the epitome of postcard-picture France! Elegance and simplicity at their best this rural setting was an easy choice for our venue, consisting of three beautifully kept old farm houses, which have all the luxuries we wanted for our special occasion. With lots of kids in tow, ours amongst them, the pool, air con and plentiful grounds to run around in were ideal. We booked with South France Villas and made use of the property manager, Martine, who helped us buy wine and rent a marquee for the wedding.”

Mr Porter Journal – Seven Instagram-Ready Rentals

August 2016

Dar Amizmiz

“This grand but lean, low-lying villa in Marrakech was designed by French-Algerian architect Mr Imaad Rahmouni, who formerly worked with Mr Philippe Starck in Paris. It is dominated by a 1,000 sq m living space, which includes a bar, library and dining area and floor-to-ceiling glass doors with views across the Atlas Mountains. But the real selling point is the pool, complete with island and palm tree, which starts in the living room before moving outside. The villa has five bedrooms – all with en-suite bathrooms – a fitness room, massage room and hammam.”

Mr Porter Post

May 2016

Dar Amizmiz

“This grand villa was designed by French-Algerian architect Mr Imaad Rahmouni. It is dominated by a 1,000sq m living space with views across the Atlas Mountains. The real selling points are the pool, which starts in the living room, the massage room and hammam.”

Côté Sud

April 2016

Domaine Occitania

“Like the fairy tale of a princess, the Domaine which dates back to early Xlll century went through many changes in the XVl and then the XVlll centuries and was then plunged into deep slumber, until Delphine Gomot rescued it from oblivion. Medieval in origin it has opened a new chapter in its life as a tourist holiday paradise and perfect wedding venue.”

Ideal for a French wedding – sleeps 29 people, comprise 2 swimming pools, a beautiful park, and sophisticated reception room.

The Independent on Sunday – The French connection

May 2015

Les Rocailles – South of France Beachfront Villa, Languedoc

On 10th May South France Villas was featured in the Independent on Sunday: “A family business offering hand-picked quality holiday villas in the South of France (Languedoc Roussillon, Provence, Cote d’Azur and Corsica), South France Villas was established in 2000. We are specialists in the area known in France as the Midi, stretching from the Spanish to the Italian border, boasting some of the best Mediterranean beaches and vineyards. We understand holidays matter and your most precious possession is time.”

Details From €2,500 per week

Telegraph Travel – The top 10 holiday villas in France

January 2015

Villa Ava – Stunning Villa Rental in Pézenas

“A luxury eight-sleeper villa on the edge of Pézenas. It has the sort of contemporary gleam you see in design magazines, plus mandatory terraces, gardens, big pool and a built-in sense of entitlement. Pézenas centre is under a mile away, with its period drama of narrow streets distinguished, in the past, by Molière and Clive of India (though, sadly, not together). It’s 30 minutes to the beach or the shellfish of the Etang-de-Thau, rather less to the Hérault hills and Héric gorges so remote that they get yesterday’s sunshine.”

Details From €2,500 per week

Country Living – Modern Rustic, Issue 2

January 2015

Domaine Occitania

“In perfect harmony”

A mix of traditional, vintage and ethnic brings natural style to a restored medieval property in the South of France

Details From €8,367 per week

Ferrari Concierge Lifestyle Magazine

December 2014

Château Cavalière

Cavalière, near St Tropez
Privately owned exclusive Château, ultimate in luxury, spacious and sophisticated chic within walking distance of Cavalière beach, near Le Lavandou. Set in over a hectare of landscaped gardens with sun terraces and a stunning heated Eco pool. The château offers full chef and maid services.

Details From €12,000 per week

France Magazine

March 2014 - Villa Ava featured in France Magazine.

Villa Ava

“The charming market town of Pézenas, 20 minutes inland from the Mediterranean coast, makes a delightful base for exploring the area. Steeped in history, the location is best discovered on foot as you stroll through the old town to find the arts and crafts heritage that continues to thrive in the ateliers lining the narrow streets.

“The property has a contemporary design and can sleep up to eight. It also has a 15-metre pool that’s perfect for soaking up the sun or enjoying an alfresco aperitif after a day’s sightseeing.”

Details From €2,500 per week

France Magazine

November 2013 - Two of our properties were featured in France Magazine's self-catering guide to Pézenas.

Château Roquelune du Beau Parc

“Waking up in this dreamy, fairy-tale château, it is almost unbearable to imagine that you will have to leave when the holiday is over. With rabbits scurrying across the lawns and nightingales tweeting in the trees, Roquelune is a nature paradise, just two kilometres from Pézenas. Its six bedrooms and three reception rooms make an ideal place to share with a few families.

“There are 15 acres of landscaped gardens, a secure swimming pool, tree-lined walkways, table tennis in the orangery, a chapel, real turrets and a listed stone fountain. Cooking facilities are excellent, with a dining room overlooking the grounds, giant stone fireplaces, a sweeping staircase and a music room with grand piano.”

Details From €3,250 per week

France Today: “Chic Retreat”

June 2013

Château Cavalière

Cavalière, near St Tropez
Privately owned exclusive Château, ultimate in luxury, spacious and sophisticated chic within walking distance of Cavalière beach, near Le Lavandou. Set in over a hectare of landscaped gardens with sun terraces and a stunning heated Eco pool. The château offers full chef and maid services.

Details From €10,625 per week

France 2013: 25 top holidays

February 2013

Villa Setoise

Sète, Languedoc
Stunning, spacious state-of-the-art beach front villa with private infinity pool and sea views. 5 mins from colourful port of Sete, Languedoc, 2 mins walk to beach. Air-conditioning & Wi-Fi. Sleeps 8-10.

Details From £4,500 per week

Europe’s 50 best beach villas

January 2013 - Several of our properties were mentioned in the article below.

Villa Pallombaggia

Porto Vecchio, Corsica
Newly built and exquisitely decorated with plenty of bare wood and splashes of colour, this villa, which sleeps ten in five en suite bedrooms, has an outdoor hot tub with stunning sea views, plus a heated pool, gym and cinema room. The services of a chef and hostess/cleaner are included.

Details From £22,000 per week in July through South France Villas (08717113372)

Jan 2011 – Villa Seekers

January 2011

Villas offer something special when it comes to size, charm and location — and they sure can add a touch of romance to your holiday, writes SANDRA O’CONNELL

There are sea views and then there are sea views. Those at Villa Eze, a luxury property in a quiet residential area below the stunning cliff top town of Eze on the Côte d’Azur, are well worth writing home about, not to mention paying a premium for.

The owners have made the most of the panorama with a wraparound terrace and — the pièce de résistance — a gorgeous infinity pool. And when you’ve had enough of that it’s only a three-minute walk to the beach.

The Provencal-styled villa of 155sq m (1,668sq ft), which sleeps seven in three bedrooms, was built in the 1950s and was recently renovated. It’s promoted by the owners as ideal for a three-couple party, each of the double bedrooms having its own en suite with king or queen-sized beds while the kitchen and reception rooms are open-plan.

The large terraced gardens have tropical vegetation and the heady scent of fragrant orange and pine trees. There’s a boulodrome for petanque in the garden and a tree-shaded public tennis court 50 metres away. Full maid and chef service is available, for an extra fee.

On the doorstep: you’re spoiled for choice and don’t even have to drive. There’s a train station at the bottom of the road with a local train to Nice, Cannes, St Tropez and Monaco. Nice is a 20-minute drive away, Monte Carlo 10 minutes. There are good restaurants a five-minute walk away, or have coffee on the terrace at the hotel Château Eza, and compare views.

Villa Eze

Sète, Languedoc
Amazing contemporary beach front villa with stunning glass fronted pool and sea views. Only 5 minutes from the bustling port of Sete, Languedoc. Air-conditioning, Wi-Fi and state of the art systems throughout.

Details From £4,500 per week