Villas in Southern France

• Choice of villas: From modern retreats with private pools to traditional stone gîtes among the vineyards, you'll find all the space and privacy you need for a couple, family or group of friends.
• Where to stay: Provence Ideal for first-timers. The Var coast draws beach-lovers, while Languedoc and the Pyrénées foothills offer history and quieter, better-value boltholes.
• Trusted by guests: Villa-style stays score highly for cleanliness, space and welcoming hosts, with many properties rated above 9.0 across the region.
• Eating out: From bouillabaisse in Marseille to fine dining in Avignon, the south rewards food-lovers with Provençal seafood, regional wines and lively markets.
• Things to do: Explore Carcassonne, Roman Nîmes, the Palais des Papes and the lavender fields of Provence, all within easy reach of your villa.

Villas in Southern France span sleek modern retreats with private pools, traditional stone gîtes set among vineyards, and spacious family houses with gardens and terraces. There are quietly luxurious boltholes for couples looking for a romantic escape, and large properties for group trips. If you fancy comparing styles, browse our holiday homes in Southern France, self-catering apartments in Southern France or relaxed campsites across Southern France. Most welcome interest from families and friends alike.

Many villas come well equipped for a comfortable, self-catering holiday, with amenities such as:

• Private or shared swimming pool
• Garden, terrace or balcony with sea or mountain views
• Air conditioning for warm Provençal afternoons
• Wifi and television
• Barbecue and outdoor dining space

Whether you want to cook for the family or dine out, you will find a base that works at any time of year.

What are the best areas to stay in Southern France?

For first-time visitors, Provence is the classic choice, though the coastline near the Var also rewards anyone after coastal beach houses. The table below details areas for specific interests:

What do our guests say?

Guests consistently praise the space, privacy and warm welcome of villa-style stays across the region, with many of our Southern France holiday lettings scoring above 9.0 for cleanliness and location. Reviewers often praise properties for generous gardens, well-kept pools and helpful hosts.

Here are some of our top-rated villa-style retreats in Southern France from the past year:

1. La Maison - 10.0+: A spacious, traditional stone gîte for up to ten in Les Salces, Lozère, with a large garden and a warm welcome for pets — ideal for family gatherings.
2. The Gartempe Cottage - 10.0+: A kid-friendly holiday house for six in Saint-Sornin-la-Marche, with an enclosed garden and plenty of room for children to play.
3. Gite Lavande – La Bastide St Jacques - 9.8+: A romantic cottage for two in Vinsobres, Drôme, with a private hot tub, relaxing pool, and a peaceful garden for unwinding.

Southern France stretches across the country's sun-warmed south, from the Mediterranean beaches of the Var and the Bouches-du-Rhône, inland through Provence and Languedoc, to the foothills of the Pyrénées. This is a region packed with things to discover: Roman cities, medieval towns and rolling vineyards.

🥗Where to eat in Southern France?

Food is fiercely local in France, so expect to discover unique regional dishes wherever you stay: bowls of bouillabaisse groaning with seafood in Marseille, traditional ratatouille in Provence, or refreshing salade niçoise in Nice. Here are a few of the top recommendations from our travel experts:.

⭐Our guests' recommendation: Our guest travellers Charlotte and Henry recommend Le Petit Nice in Southern France: they say it's the perfect setting for a special evening out of the villa, pairing refined Provençal seafood with views over the Mediterranean.

1. Walk the ramparts of Carcassonne
2. Step inside the Arena of Nîmes
3. Wander Avignon's Palais des Papes
4. Explore Marseille's Vieux-Port
5. Discover Toulouse, the Pink City
6. Roam the lavender fields of Provence
7. Uncover Roman Narbonne

1. Walk the ramparts of Carcassonne

   Few sights in the south are as striking as the double walls of Carcassonne, one of the best-preserved fortified cities in the world. Spend a morning walking the ramparts and winding lanes of the medieval Cité, then visit the Château Comtal and the Basilica of Saint-Nazaire. It's an easy day trip from a villa in Languedoc, and the floodlit walls at dusk are a real highlight.

2. Step inside the Arena of Nîmes

   Nîmes wears its Roman past proudly, and the Arena of Nîmes is its centrepiece — a remarkably intact amphitheatre that once held 16,000 spectators and still hosts events today. A short walk away stands the Maison Carrée, one of the best-preserved Roman temples anywhere; a visit to the two sites will make you feel like you've stepped back in time.

3. Wander Avignon's Palais des Papes

   The Palais des Papes dominates Avignon, a vast Gothic palace built when the city, rather than Rome, was the seat of the papacy. Explore its cavernous halls and chapels, then stroll out to the famous Pont d'Avignon over the Rhône and explore the walled old town.

4. Explore Marseille's Vieux-Port

   France's oldest city is home to the picturesque Vieux-Port, where fishing boats and cafés line the quays. Climb to the Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde for sweeping views across the city and sea, then sample fresh seafood at a harbourside table.

5. Discover Toulouse, the Pink City

   Known as the Pink City for its rosy brick architecture, Toulouse is the lively capital of historic Occitania. Spend a day exploring the Basilica of Saint-Sernin, the grand Place du Capitole and the banks of the Garonne. There are excellent museums, leafy squares and plenty of relaxed places to eat.

6. Roam the lavender fields of Provence

   From late June to early August, the lavender fields of Provence turn vast stretches of countryside purple, most famously around the Plateau de Valensole and the Abbey of Sénanque. Drive the quiet back roads between stone villages such as Gordes and Ménerbes, stopping at markets and vineyards along the way and enjoying the fragrant countryside.

7. Uncover Roman Narbonne

   Once the principal city of Roman Gaul, Narbonne still reveals its ancient roots both above and below its streets. Visit the magnificent Cathedral of Saint-Just-et-Saint-Pasteur, walk the restored section of the Via Domitia in the main square, and browse the covered market, Les Halles, for local produce.