Premium rental villas - Aquitaine / Basque Country

Head to southwest France for a luxury villa holiday in the sun

Life in southwest France is about appreciating the best things in life – food, friends and outdoor living. The people here are proud and expansive, with a strong identity that they love to share. Rent a luxury villa with a pool in Aquitaine and the Basque Country and start your day the European way: enjoying coffee and croissants in the sun as you plan your day exploring the coast and countryside of this vibrant region.

Where to stay in southwest France?

Southwest France hugs the Atlantic coast and stretches down to the Pyrennees mountains. It comprises the large Aquitaine region of France, which stretches from Poitiers, less than four hours’ drive from Paris, right down to the Spanish border. It covers the rural Dordogne Valley, the Bordeaux wine region, and the coastal towns of La Rochelle, Arcachon and Biarritz. It boasts great wine, food, surfing and scenery, and sunshine is all but guaranteed. What are you waiting for? Book your holiday in France today!

Best things to do on holiday in Aquitaine 

Retrace the history of France against jaw-dropping scenery with castles and rivers of the Dordogne. Idyllic stone cottages, windy canals and majestic castles are all on the agenda in the Dordogne Valley. Renting a holiday property in or around Bergerac is ideal for day trips to some of the must-see sights. Visit the immaculately manicured Marqueyssac gardens, the Lascaux prehistoric cave paintings, and the Beynac and Castelnaud la Chappelle castles which were rivals across the river during the French 100 Years War. 

For something more urban, stay at a large rental villa near Bordeaux, a major city in the heart of a world-class wine region. Visit the Cité du Vin to learn all about wine making and tasting. Its striking curvy exterior is designed to evoke the swirl and soul of wine. Armed with your new insights, set off to the local wineries to stock up on great wines straight from the producer. Rent a luxury chateau near Bordeaux with ChicVillas, and we can organize a concierge service to arrange this for you.

Visit Biarritz and Bayonne in the French Basque Country

Right down in the left-hand corner of France is the Basque Country, a land of tradition and culture. It saddles France and Spain and has its own strong history and identity. Basque colours are red and white and fill the streets at summer festivals when people turn out in traditional dress.

It also has its own language which is widely used alongside French: Basque, or Eusakara is one of the oldest languages in the world and peppered with consonants such as x (pronounced sh). Learn a smattering before you go. Thank you is eskerrik asko – remember it as “a scary casko”. 

Food and wine are taken seriously here, and with good reason – it’s exceptionally good and a pillar of the local culture! Whether you opt for the full Michelin-starred restaurant experience or simply turn up at a village eatery, there are some specialities you won’t want to miss. Start with some succulent Bayonne cured ham followed by a main of veal axoa – a calf shoulder stew with sweet peppers for taste and Espelette pepper flakes for a kick. Espelette pepper is grown here and added liberally to pretty much anything. Next comes the cheese course – the last savoury  dish is always served before the dessert in France. Try an Ossau-Iraty – it’s smooth, creamy and made from sheep’s milk. If you still have room, finish with a slice of buttery gâteau basque cake and if not, don’t worry, you can enjoy it with coffee at any time of day!

Pair your meal with a Basque wine. A white Txakoli (pronounced chah-kuh-lee) is perfect for an apéritif or with fish, while an Irouleguy rosé or full-bodied Rioja Alavesa red goes nicely with a main. 

Come with family or friends and rent a big villa with a pool near Biarritz for a holiday to remember!

Take a day trip to Spain 

The French Basque Country touches the Spanish border near the Pyrennees mountains. Drive over for the day to visit the Guggenheim Museum and share tapas with friends or hop on the shuttle boat in Hendaye – it’ll whip you round to the Spanish town of Hondarribia in just ten minutes! A well-located rental villa in the Basque country gives you access to three different cultures, cuisines and languages – French, Spanish and Basque!

Hit the waves at one of the best surfing destinations in Europe

Biarritz is hailed as one of the best surf spots in Europe, along with its neighbours Anglet, Hossegor and Hendaye. Novice and seasoned surfers alike can count on thrills and spills in the Atlantic waves. 

Another popular spot along the Aquitaine and Basque coast is Arcachon Bay and the Cap Ferret headland that curves around the bay to form a little slice of paradise. 

ChicVillas has a selection of handpicked holiday properties in the Basque Country – imagine waking up in your secluded beachfront villa to views of boats on the bay and going to sleep to the sound of crashing waves. La vie est belle!

Style and simplicity go hand in hand in southwest France with an inimitably French blend of low-key luxury, sunshine and natural beauty. Stay at a wooden beach villa with ocean views and the beach on the doorstep or splash out on a rental chateau near Bordeaux that can sleep groups of 20 with first-rate services and facilities. However you and your family or friends want to spend your holiday in south-west France, you’re in for a treat.

Need help booking your luxury holiday property?

Whether you’re looking for a family holiday in south-west France or want to rent a chateau near Bordeaux for a wine holiday with friends, ChicVillas has what you need. And we’re more than just a website – Alain, Sandrine and the team at our office in France are here to answer your questions and help you plan your version of the holiday of your dreams. Get in touch!