Why choose France for a luxury villa holiday?

Tuesday, 26 June 2012 9:37 AM

France has long been regarded as the ideal place for a chic holiday, not least because of its world-class culture, cuisine and pleasant weather. Whatever you're searching for from a luxurious break, you can be sure of finding it here, especially if you head to the south of the country.

Of course, everyone will want different things from their high-class getaway but the following factors make France a particularly inviting destination.

Attractions and activities

One reason why the country is so well-suited for holidaymakers seeking nothing but luxury and high-quality entertainment is the wealth of things there are to see and do. Whether you're whisking a loved one away for a romantic break for two or taking the kids on an action-packed family getaway, you needn't worry about boredom setting in at any point, especially if you're visiting the southern regions of Provence and Cote d'Azur.

Choose the latter and you'll be within easy distance of gorgeous monuments and other landmarks from your villa. These include, among others, the Sanctuaire de Notre Dame de Laghet, a stunning church that was built in the 17th century. This is an amazing example of baroque architecture, while the gold leaf covered statue of the Virgin Mary that stands on top of the building will really catch your eye.

By staying in villas in Provence, meanwhile, you will have the chance to explore the excavated remains of Entremont, an ancient Gallic village that was established in second century BC. Archaeologists have been unearthing artefacts - including parts of houses, ramparts and pieces of pottery - here for more than 60 years and with objects still being found to this day, it's a great place to connect with the region's long history. From here, you can also take in wonderful views of the nearby Sainte-Victoire mountain, the peak of which is a towering 1,011 m above sea level.

Alternatively, you can visit the Museum d'Histoire Naturelle - housed in the Boyer d'Eguilles mansion - to learn more about natural history. Exhibits containing everything from dinosaur eggs to insects are located here, so coming to the museum is sure to make for a fun, yet fascinating, day out.

Accommodation

However, it's not just the local landmarks and activities on offer that make for a chic break on the continent, but also the type of accommodation that you stay in.

If you're searching for holiday villas in the south of France, high-class properties that are resplendent with modern amenities certainly won't be in short supply. Whether you would like to stay in a quiet villa nestled in the Cote d'Azur countryside or prefer a large holiday home in the heart of Cannes, you'll discover amazing accommodation right for your needs where you can relax in luxury.

Of course, the particular facilities offered will depend on which villa you book, but you can expect to be able to make use of private swimming pools, games rooms and an open-plan kitchen. Some villas even have their own gymnasiums - perfect if you feel like having a morning workout while on holiday - and a hot tub where you can take a refreshing soak after exercising.

Proximity to the UK

Another great reason why France is a wonderful destination for a holiday relaxing in a fantastic villa is the country's proximity to the UK. Heathrow and other major British transport hubs have regular flight connections with airports in the region, including Nice and Marseille, and it shouldn't take you much more than a couple of hours to get to your destination. As opposed to travelling to exotic long-haul destinations, you won't have to worry about jetlag so you ought to arrive feeling fresh and ready for your holiday to begin straightaway.

Even if you choose to travel to the south of France overland, be it by car or train, it shouldn't take you too long to arrive at your destination and - of course - you will avoid airport queues and needing to worry about flight delays.