Your perfect escape...

Villas With Private Pools

Looking for a villa in France with private pool and near the beach? We have over 100 visited and vetted villas along the south west's stunning coastline with its wonderful surfing beaches and child-friendly bays. Enjoy the privacy and luxury of your own swimming pool, whether it's a classic French manoir, a luxury modern holiday home, a chalet-style villa on a resort. If you need help choosing please call one of our experts!

Summer Fortnights

How does this sound - a fortnight's holiday in a villa with your own private pool, somewhere warm and beautiful in south west France? Here's a selection of our favourite villas, each with a fortnight available this summer during the school holidays. 

Best Value Villas

Here we've pulled together our recommendations for the best value villas available this summer. Our list includes rentals with some fabulous special offers as well as those which we feel pack a lot in for the price...

Walk to Beach

It's what the majority of clients ask/wish for! The rentals we've selected below are genuinely no more than 1 km to the beach and some are no more than a few steps!

Heated Pool

If you really want to enjoy a pool then we strongly recommend a heated one if you're staying in June or earlier. The holiday rentals below have either a heated private or shared pool.

Teenager-friendly

Teenager-friendly Aquitaine is the perfect for destinations for active teens, particularly surfers. Many rentals also offer easy access to the beach, shops and cafes in a safe environment. Hossegor is a teenager's dream destination!

Fenced/Covered Pool

All pools in France have to be protected. However, many parents of young children want to relax knowing their pool is fenced or covered - rather than protected by an alarm...

Villas of the Week

This week I've chosen a very popular farmhouse near Biarritz featuring a superb chef; a villa with pool near Hossegor; and a brand new contemporary beach house in Vieux Boucau...

Luxury Villas

Some clients simply ask to see the best villas available - here they are. We use the term luxury villa sparingly, and in our collection of over 100 villas with pools only a dozen or so justify the term. They offer five-star levels of comfort, concierge-style services and a real wow factor, often a breathtaking sea view, in desirable locations in Biarritz, Hossegor, Cap Ferret, Arcachon, St Jean de Luz. Please enquire for more help or info if needed.

Car Not Required

Arrive by plane/train, short taxi/transfer to your property then it's on two feet (or wheels!) for the rest of your break! Biarritz, Arcachon & St Jean de Luz are good options

Dog Friendly Villas In France

A more popular request every season - dog friendly villas in France. All of the villa resorts and holiday parks in our Aquitaine collection allow dogs (sometimes only 1) - a small supplement is paid locally. You will also need the necessary documentation of course. Some of our private, independent villas in France are dog-friendly. Some owners will consider dogs on a case-by-case basis - if in doubt please call.

Walk to Restaurants & Bars

This is a really popular request - parents can enjoy a drink out and teenagers can feel independent. Rentals in Biarritz, St Jean de Luz, Hossegor, Moliets & Arcachon offer a wide choice of bars, shops, cafes and restaurants...

Late Availability

If warm sea, hot sunshine and no crowds is your thing, then try our selection of rentals available in October- from beachside apartments for 2 to villas with heated pools for larger groups...

Sea View

A popular request! These rentals have genuinely good sea views - remember, we've visited all of them and taken the photos!

Air-con

A small selection of rentals feature air-con but the climate in south west France is tempered by the Atlantic - it's not stifling like Provence / Cote d'Azur. N.B. Air-con may not be in all rooms.

Winter breaks

Biarritz is so much more than a summer destination. With its plentiful markets, stylish boutiques, twinkling lights and that classic French je ne sais quoi, it's an excellent choice for a winter getaway.

Private Tennis Court

No need to find the village courts - the villas below all have a private court. Some of the holiday parks and villa resorts also have tennis courts - please ask us for details.

Toddler Beach

The Atlantic can throw up some good surf but there are protected beaches in St Jean de Luz & Arcachon Bay ideal for young kids. Aquitaine's great advantage is its beautiful, sandy lake beaches at Biscarrosse, Lacanau & Hossegor...

For Couples

Smart, centrally-located rentals within an easy walk of beaches, markets, shops and restaurants in fabulous seaside towns such as Biarritz, St Jean de Luz & Arcachon, all great destinations for two whatever the time of year...

Classic Villas with Pools

These independent villas and cottages have their own swimming pool. These villas form the core of our portfolio: they are not on a resort and are all hand-picked, individual and distinctive. Typically, they are in the £2,000 - £5,000 per week price band (peak season)

Online Bookable

A selection of the rentals in our collection can be booked and paid for instantly, online. Please call, send a mail or live chat if you need any help before you confirm.

Alternative Aquitaine Exclusives

Here is a selection of the villas uniquely available through Alternative Aquitaine - they can only be booked through us

Villas Available 26 August

Check out what's still available for the week 26 August - 2 September including some terrific special offers! We have villas with a private swimming pool, some are a walk to the beach, there's a few family-friendly parks with a shared pool, whilst a handful are genuinely luxurious villa rentals - take your pick!

You can filter your results using the red bar at the top and by using the ADVANCED SEARCH.

September Getaways

September is the locals' favourite month. The crowds have gone so it's easier to bag the best table at the restaurant and park your car nearer the beach! It's also a reliable month for warm and sunny weather with afternoon temperatures in the mid-to-high 20's. Of course the sea is at its warmest too. We've selected for you a few of our best value villas with a heated pool, a couple of holiday parks ideal for pre-school families, cosy beach apartments for couples and some stunning 'surf pads' for September's the wave seekers...

2018 Villas

As we approach the end of summer 2017, we are working hard to update our website with prices for 2018! Here's our selection of villas that are ready to book for 2018, making it even easier to book next year's holiday early. If you are interested in villas that don't yet feature here, please just get in touch as we will definitely be able to provide a quote and more information...

Best Rated

The top-rated properties as measured by independent client reviews collector Feefo. To see what our clients are saying visit the property's page or check out our Reviews page

Shared Pool

A character gite complex near Bordeaux with shared pool, Villa Clara smart 'boutique' apartments in Biarritz with shared pool, plus holiday complexes or holiday parks (we only pick the nicest ones). At some of these parks there are also villas available with a private pool (Chateau de Salles, Gujan Mestras and Domaine de Messanges).

Short Breaks

If you only want a weekend away or just a few nights, try these rentals. Please note short breaks are not usually possible during July and August.

Concierge Rentals

These 'top-end' rentals are staffed to make your holiday totally relaxing. The 'concierge' service can include housekeeping, catering and arranging in-villa services (e.g. pampering) or local excursions and activities such as surf school. There has been a trend in recent years of bringing the 'ski chalet' concept to the south west coast.

Stunning View

Aquitaine offers superb ocean, mountain and countryside landscapes. You might like to also check the Villas Best For 'Sea Views' category if it's pure and simply the sea view that you want - it's a popular request!

Surfing Holiday Picks

Browse our Dozen Top Surf Holiday Rentals - all are right next to famous spots and set up for surfing groups - lessons or equipment available from the owners or very close by. You can surf at most of our Aquitaine coast rentals but these are pick of them!

UK TV

Many holiday rentals in France carry an English-speaking channel, but the ones we've highlighted below offer the main terrestrial UK channels and/or Sky TV channels. The property details will specify which.

Wi-fi Internet

This is one of the most common demands nowadays and most rentals now offer in-villa wi-fi (sometimes a local supplement is payable).

Young Families

These rentals may feature a good supply of toys and equipment and offer a safe environment for little ones - extra peace of mind and relaxation for the grown-ups! Some also have a Kids Club. You might also like to check Villas/Rentals Best For 'Toddler-Friendly Beaches'.

New for summer 2017!

Check out these recently signed villas and apartments - all with availability this summer

Privacy & Seclusion

Some clients want to enjoy complete privacy in a totally secluded location. Try these ideas and don't forget to ask us for advice about the immediate environment of each house - we know them all well.

Large Groups

This selection is a combination of our largest single properties plus a few where there are two or more properties at the same venue. The multi-unit venues such as 'Domaine des Vignes' work well if you want to be sociable AND have some privacy. Holiday Parks, Boutique Residences and Villa Resorts are another alternative if you each need different houses/apartments.

Kids' Clubs

A handful of the holiday parks we've selected feature a summer kids' club where your young children can enjoy a range of activities on the site and nearby. A local fee will apply. 

Games Room

The rentals we've selected below have more than just a table tennis table but a dedicated games area for all the family.

Authentic France

Typically maison de maitres, this collection ooze French style and charm be it in their architecture, interiors or location

Chef / Cook

These rentals have a cook available to cater for you, whether it's just one meal on your arrival day, or a few lunches and dinners spread over your holiday. We're delighted to work with Dan and Vincent who both offer bespoke catering packages for that extra touch of holiday indulgence and relaxation.

Rural Retreats

A lot of clients want to be accessible to the coast but avoid the crowds. For some, the beach is not important at all. Try these countryside gems...

Golf Holidays

There are clusters of golf course in the Basque Country, Sud Landes, Biscarrose/Arcachon and Lacanau/Medoc. Our Villa Resorts are particularly convenient for golfers. We have quality rentals in our collection in all of these places. Justin & Alex are also keen golfers and can recommend where to play and how to obtain golf passes.