Your perfect escape...

New Villas for 2020

We have spent the autumn putting together a collection of exciting new properties for summer 2020, including a whole new selection on the glorious Ile de Ré. 

We have visited all of the new properties ourselves so please feel free to get in touch and we will help you find the perfect destination for your holiday this summer...

Villas With Private Pools

Looking for a villa in France with private pool and near the beach? We have nearly 100 visited and vetted villas along the Aquitaine Coast with its wonderful surfing beaches and child-friendly bays and lakes. 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 School Holiday Villas in Aquitaine

It's not too late to secure a stunning place to stay this summer on the Aquitaine Coast. Looking to accommodate a large group? Do you want to be in walking distance of a stunning beach? Do you want to hire a luxury contemporary villa or something more affordable? Or is a wonderful view more oyur thing? Whatever your requirement is, we can help. Here's a selection of our villas, beach houses and apartments that all have something memorable about them and which also have at least one summer school holiday week available. If you don't want to do the browsing yourself then give Justin or Alex a call on 01395 576655 and they will do the hard work for you!

Latest Offers

We've done the hard work for you! Here are the best special offers currently available on our villas and apartment on the Aquitaine Coast...

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...

Late Availability

Our selection of rentals still available for this summer - from beachside apartments for 2 to villas with heated pools for larger groups. Use the red search box above to refine your search by date, or if you have specific requirements or destinations in mind use the Advanced Search facility. And if you still can't find what you are looking for please just call or email us

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! (Also see our Cycle To Beach Villas)

Villas With 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.

Pet Friendly Villas In France

A more popular request each season - dog friendly villas in France! We have a number of options for pet friendly self catering accommodation, whether it's a villa with private pool or a holiday rental near the beach in the south of France. All of the resort villas with pools and our French holiday parks allow dogs. Plus a few of our private, independent villas in France are dog-friendly too. If in doubt give us a call - many owners will consider it. Just remember he/she won't be allowed in the pool - we have been asked before!

Cycle To Beach

We've picked out the villas which are more than a 15-20 minute walk from the beach, but less than 5 kms - an easy bike ride for all ages, you can still leave the car behind! All the villas selected are close to the fabulous forest cycle trails the Aquitaine coast is known for, and hiring bikes is easy. (Also see our Walk To Beach Villas.)

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...

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...

Luxury Villas

We use the term "luxury villa" with caution. We've seen plenty of so-called luxury villas that simply don't justify the name. But, these villas - all visited & vetted by us - do indeed offer genuine luxury. These villas possess a real 'wow' factor, they offer five-star levels of comfort and concierge-style services are often available too. Naturally they are always in desirable locations such as Biarritz, Hossegor, Cap Ferret, Ile de Re and St Jean de Luz and many are in walking distance of a fabulous beach. Alternative Aquitaine has the best choice of luxury villas by the beach in south west France...

For Couples

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

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

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.

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...

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.

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

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).

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!

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.

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'.

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

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...