About France Villas
France has been one of the world's most popular tourist destinations for the past 20 plus years. Probably because if offers the diverse choice of summer beach vacations in St Tropez and Antibes on the Cote d'Azur and fantastic winter skiing vacations in top ski resorts, Chamonix and Courchevel in The Alps.
France is known for its chic sense of fashion, its gourmet food and excellent wine as well as being a country of culture and art.
Top Villas has luxury French rentals on the French Riviera or the Cote d'Azur and also in the French Alps so you can make the most of this country in summer and winter.
Luxury southern France villas
We have a fabulous portfolio of luxury France villas in the south, some purpose built and many restored and more rustic. Some are close to the wonderful Cote d'Azur coastline and others are set away from it all in the hills ... but of course all with easy access to amenities.
Luxury ski vacation rentals in Chamonix
Many of our traditional luxury Chamonix rental chalets have hot tubs and saunas to help you relax after a day on the slopes. Daily housekeeping also comes with most chalets and some offer a full VIP package too. Many of our Chamonix chalets have views of Mont Blanc and all are close to those beckoning slopes.
Luxury ski rentals in Courchevel, Three Valleys
Our ultra luxury Courchevel ski chalets are ideally located to allow you to hit the slopes within minutes. Many of these villas in the Three Valleys feature private heated pools, steam and fitness rooms - perfect for relaxing those muscles after a hard but fun day on the slopes.
Whether you're looking to book your summer beach vacation or winter ski vacation, our team of luxury villa experts can assist you and ensure your luxury France villa meets all your vacation needs. We can also arrange car hire, flights and transfers.
France Travel Guide
A European vacation in France can be enjoyed either in the summer or winter...head south to the Cote d'Azur for glamorous summer beach resorts or to The French Alps for top winter ski resorts. Enjoy the gastronomic delights of French cuisine, indulge in designer shopping and see how many celebrities you can spot.
The French Riviera/Cote d'Azur
The Mediterranean coastline of the southeast corner of France is known as the Cote d'Azur and is home to many popular beach resorts including Antibes and St Tropez. It is loved by tourists, A-list celebs and the French for its Mediterranean climate, pristine beaches, culture, history, chic lifestyle, glamorous restaurants, bars, night life and designer shopping. Fly into Nice Airport to access the Cote d'Azur.
Climate
The Cote d'Azur enjoys a Mediterranean climate which is warm to hot with dry summers reaching high temperatures of 80°F in June through August and mild to cool, wet winters. It's perfect for summer beach vacations for couples, families and groups of friends.
Antibes
Antibes includes Cap d'Antibes, Sophia Antipolis and Juan-les-Pins, has miles of sandy beaches, the largest marina in Europe and is steeped in history. There is a mix of public and private beaches to spend your sun-filled hours on, but enjoying the comforts of a lounger and water sports of a private beach such as Garoupa Bay come at a price. Public beaches Plage du Ponteil, Le Salis Beach and Plage du Peilon are family friendly with clean, calm waters and restaurants but popular so you will need to grab a spot early.
You will find a whole range of water sports on offer including windsurfing, water skiing, kayaking, jet skiing, scuba diving and paragliding, but predominantly on the beaches of Juan les Pins on the other side of the peninsular.
You can take a stroll to the end of Port Hercule to admire the impressive yachts in the marina and take a boat trip in a glass bottomed boat around the 'Bay of Millionaires' at the furthest tip of Cap d'Antibes leaving from Juan Les Pins.
Take the kids to MarineLand to experience its attractions - Aquasplash, La Ferme du Far West and Adventure Golf - and enjoy water slides and over 4000 animals and fish including penguins, polar bears and performing whales and dolphins. There's also AntibesLand with free entrance to keep the kids happy with roller coasters, fairground rides, mini karting and restaurants.
Take in Antibes' history by exploring its narrow cobbled streets of the Old Town and its buildings including Chapelle du Saint-Esprit, Place du Révély and the fountain of La Tourraque. Take the footpath that runs along the top of the city walls around the old town and Promenade Amiral de Grasse. For breathtaking views, take one of the many coastal walks or climb up to Fort Carré in the Port in Antibes on foot or by bus.
Visit the Musee Picasso for all things Picasso and Musee Absinthe to sample the local potent drink Absinthe, but put your plans on hold for the rest of the day!
There is also great shopping in both Antibes and Juan les Pins with designer boutiques and local shops selling unique items from local artists, making the perfect souvenir or gift.
Gastronomic delights can be found in the restaurants of Antibes, try elegant Le Vauban in the old port, Restaurant de Bacon renowned for their seafood and Le Vieux Murs on the ramparts of the old town for views of the Mediterranean.
If you've got a taste for Absinthe you'll be happy to install yourself in the Absynthe Bar in Antibes, but if you'd like a bit more variety head to Juan les Pins for cabaret shows, casinos, bars and clubs, especially dance hot spots La Siesta, Milk and Whiskey a GoGo.
St Tropez
St Tropez was once a sleepy fishing village before it became the playground of the rich and famous that it is today. Now locals rub shoulders with A-listers and fishing boats share the Tropezian Harbour with ultra-expensive yachts. There are beaches a plenty to enjoy from the beach made famous by Brigitte Bardot, Plage de Tahiti and celebrity hot spot Nikki Beach that transforms into a club at night, to family friendly beach La Bouillabaisse. There's also Plage de Pampelonne, Plage de la Moutte and Moorea Beach.
With the beaches come water sports ranging from scuba diving, paragliding and windsurfing. You can charter boats for sport fishing, whale and dolphin watching and yachts for sailing or just bomb around the Cote d'Azur in a motorboat and discover the coves and bays.
For the more energetic there are 7 miles of coastal walks to hike or mountain bike through the forest to Gassin. Golfers can get a round in at world famous Golf du Gassin, Golf de Sainte Maxime and Golf Club de Beavallon.
For your cultural and historical fix explore the 16th century fortress, The Citadel and Naval Museum perched high above the town overlooking the sea. Other museums worth a visit include the Annonciade, Art Museum with works by Matisse, Bonnard, Signac and Braque and Maison de Papillon, The House of Butterflies showcasing famous painter Dany Lartigue's collection of preserved rare butterflies and jewellery featuring butterflies.
Even the most frugal shopper will find it hard to resist the shopping opportunities in St Tropez. Serious shoppers will find Cartier, Yves Saint Laurent, Dior and D&G among the numerous designer boutiques and will be drawn to Place de la Garonne and Rue Gambetta. Those looking for gifts and souvenirs will find markets galore in St Tropez and a better price range. Look out for the Tropezian Sandal as worn by Bridget Bardot and delis with local produce and wines. If you're here in October you'll catch the end of season sale, La Grande Braderie and will be able to pick up the designer gear without the designer price tag.
If you've exhausted all that St Tropez has to offer then the kids will love the Lunar Park/Azur Park just 15 minutes drive outside of the town with roller coaster rides, water slides, crazy golf and many other attractions to keep them entertained.
And when it's time to wind down enjoy cafe life in the port of St Tropez at one of the many cafes and watch the world go by. The famous Le Senequier looks out over the sea and is a good place to enjoy the evening sun before you head for dinner at one of the many fine restaurants. How about Michelin star restaurant Mouscardins, lively Cafe de Paris, famous seafood restaurant Le Girelier or popular Bistrot des Lices?
Feel like dancing? St Tropez has many clubs and is party central during July and August. Head to hot spot Nikki Beach or St Tropez's most famous club, Le Cave de Roi in the Babylon Hotel to sample the latest DJ's mixes.
Top ski resorts
France is home to The Alps and is renowned for its top skiing destinations Chamonix and Courchevel. These resorts are popular with skiers, snowboarders and climbers and offer great skiing in December through to March. Add to that the fantastic aprés ski culture and top dining available in the many restaurants and you have a perfect setting for your winter vacation.
Chamonix
Chamonix sits at the foot of the highest peak in The Alps, Mount Blanc, so as you can imagine the panoramic views at the top to Les Ecrins over some 600km are spectacular. The resort is praised for deep snow, steep terrain, long black runs and off-piste skiing through forests for the experienced skier; there are also plenty of beginners' slopes including Les Planards, Le Tour, Argentiere/Les Grands Montets, Vallorcine, Chamonix/Brevent and Les Houches for those just starting out. All levels of skiing ability are catered for here with ski schools and guides available to show you all the runs, making it a perfect resort for groups with mixed skiing ability.
Chambre Neuf is a favourite for aprés ski and cocktail hour between 9-10pm and the terrace at La Terrasse in Chamonix's main square is great for cheap beer and people watching. You'll find authentic French cuisine at L'Impossible and contemporary dishes at Restaurant Albert 1er and to take you into the early hours, basement club Cantina Club provides the best music selection in town and a chance to get to know the locals.
The closest airport to Chamonix is Geneva Airport at 62.1 miles then Chambery Aix Airport at 85.5 miles.
Courchevel
Courchevel is part of the World's largest ski resort, The Three Valleys and is 4 times the size of Paris. It has an impressive 330 runs of which approximately half are easy green and blue runs and the other half are the more difficult red and black runs. Courchevel is reliable for snow coverage, has mostly open ski areas and plenty of off-piste skiing as well as quick, modern ski lifts. Snowboarders enjoy miles of well-groomed pistes and good free-ride terrain, whilst beginners benefit from wide, gentle manicured pistes and fenced off areas at 1,650 and Altiport 1,850 to master skiing.
And when you're finished on the slopes designer shops, aprés ski and 60 restaurants, 12 of which have Michelin stars are waiting to take you from evening into night.
The closest airport to Courchevel is Chambéry, 70 miles away, then Geneva Airport at 85 miles and Lyon at 115 miles.
USD · $
GBP · £
