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Make a holiday gite in France your home away from home

France holiday homes are set across a country with a huge variety of landscapes and characters, all represented by the wide selection on HomeAway – there are stylish studios in cities like Paris, rustic and traditional cottages in rural regions, and on the coast you’ll find all kinds of villas and apartments. At countryside holiday homes in France you can expect rustic open fireplaces and centuries old stonework, but without neglecting modern conveniences like wi-fi. Pets are often welcome in gites in France, and extras like on-site parking and pools might make your stay that little more comfortable.

Things to do

-Sightseeing near your French gite. From the spectacular Roman remnants in southern cities such as Arles and Orange, to the beautiful renaissance chateaux of the Loire Valley, and much, much more, there are centuries of historical interest. Not to forget Paris and its iconic landmarks, and elegant art nouveau architecture.

-Food and drink. There are more Michelin-starred restaurants here than anywhere else on earth. Regional specialities include cheese, with as many as 400 different varieties, paté and wine, with some eight billion bottles produced every year. Even if you’re not a foodie you’ll be able to enjoy fine produce at local markets and the basic amenities like patisseries, charcuteries and fromageries in every town.

-Beach villas in France. France has a vast coastline, boasting lovely scenery and different characteristics on every part. For instance in Normandy there’s Mont-Saint-Michel, a medieval abbey on a tidal island. Brittany has dramatic cliffs and sweeping beaches. Rent a France apartment on the Atlantic coast and you’ll find Europe’s best surf beaches, while the Côte d’Azur is synonymous with luxury and style.

-Outdoor recreation. The unspoiled countryside and impressive landscapes in France’s inland regions provide the perfect setting for outdoor adventure. The Rhone and Dordogne Rivers are much loved for the variety of watersports they afford, like boating, canoeing and kayaking. For skiing, you could make for the resorts in Alps to the east or Pyrenees to the southwest.

-Family attractions. In the Paris area you have the Disneyland Resort, with top rides, entertainment and shopping. Also here is Parc Asterix, based on the famous comic books. To the west of the country, near Poitiers is le Puy du Fou, known for its lavish historical set-pieces and stunt shows, and Futuroscope, a unique theme park based on cinematography and audio-visual experiences.

Weather in France

The French climate is influenced by the Mediterranean, Atlantic and even Scandinavia, and varies greatly from the moderate north to warmer south. The north, from Pas de Calais west to Brittany, is temperate, and tends to be mild all year round. The west coast is mild and breezy, with a particularly favourable climate for holidaymakers around the Poitou-Charentes region. There are Mediterranean conditions across the south, with mild winters and hot summers. Mountainous regions like the Alps and Pyrnees have consistent snowfall for at least three months of the year.

Travel to your self-catering villa France

The country has a superb transport infrastructure, with efficient road and rail networks, ensuring easy access to your France apartment. The roads are well-maintained and uncongested, and funded in part by tolls at regular intervals. Meanwhile trains are affordable and efficient, especially via the TGV high-speed lines. For the most part trains are preferred to inter-city bus services thanks to their speed and affordability. Most regions and large cities have airports with international connections. Key holiday destinations like the French Riviera have airports at short intervals – you can fly to Marseille (MRS), Toulon (TLN) or Nice (NCE) from the UK.