05 December 2019 by Jessica Boston

Out of season French holidays – escape the chill with a break by The Med!

Obviously France is hardly a ‘winter sun’ destination, but if you travel to the South Coast you’ll find pleasantly mild temperatures, and with over 300 days of blue skies and sunshine every year on the French Riviera you’ll certainly escape the dreary grey of a British winter!

Staying in Var on the Cote d’Azur you’re protected from the wind and chill by The Alps. In winter you can enjoy mild days exploring markets and dining out on the coast, and take trips into the mountains for skiing and winter sports, all in the same holiday!

We’ve chosen five of our favourite Provence properties for a winter or spring break to start your year in style:

1 bed apartment near Sainte Maxime

This charming apartment is in a gated residential development just 20 minutes walk from the beaches of Sainte Maxime, and just 3 minutes walk from a wealth of shops and restaurants. It’s a great choice for an out of season break because there is plenty of activity all year round – there are 14,000 local residents so the markets, shops and restaurants are very much open for business and you can ‘live like a local’ instead of simply scratching the surface in a tourist hotspot. There is also a cinema, casino and two golf courses locally, and the wonderful destinations of Monaco, St Tropez, Cannes, Nice and Frejus with their many attractions are within easy reach.

https://www.holidayfrancedirect.co.uk/holiday-rentals/CV003715/index.htm

1 bed village house near Saint Tropez

This 18th century house has loads of character and walls nearly 3 feet thick in places making it cool in summer and warm in winter. There is also a cosy antique log burner for romantic winter evenings by the fire. The location in the village of Le Garde Freinet is perfect with cafes, a bakery, shops and restaurants within a minute or two of your doorstep. There are lovely local walks with wonderful views and you can even bring your dog along! The glamorous resorts of the Cote d’Azur are within easy reach with everywhere between Marseille and Monaco accessible within a 90 minute drive. Past guests rate this holiday home 10/10 so you can book with confidence.

https://www.holidayfrancedirect.co.uk/holiday-rentals/CV004993/index.htm

1 bed apartment near Monaco

A bright, airy apartment just 100m from the beach and surrounded by all the shops, cafes and restaurants you could need. The owner Emina offers plenty of advice on the attractions in the area from museums and castles, to markets and shopping opportunities in Monaco and Nice. The stunning local coastline and countryside is perfect for walking, the famously beautiful Gorges du Verdon is nearby and well worth a visit, and with the border so close a day trip to Italy is also not to be missed!

https://www.holidayfrancedirect.co.uk/holiday-rentals/CA007027/index.htm

1 bed gite near Valbonne

This cosy apartment has underfloor heating throughout and the patio is a real sun trap meaning it’s warm enough to sit outside and eat alfresco for most of the year. Set in the village of Rochefort des Pins there are wonderful food shops and local restaurants within a short walk. It’s a perfect location for exploring; reach the beaches of the Cote d’Azur in just 15-30 minutes drive for glitz and glamour and walks by the sea, and visit ski resorts in The Alps in just 30-60 minutes for snow and winter sports!

https://www.holidayfrancedirect.co.uk/holiday-rentals/CA005905/index.htm

4 bed villa near Avignon

This beautiful villa set in its own Mediteranean gardens on the edge of the village of Noves is luxuriously furnished in traditional Provence style. The gardens are a real treat; the perfect place to relax, and with patio heaters available you can take comfortably take advantage of this gorgeous setting at any time of year. It’s a great location with so much to see and do no matter what your passion. Explore Van Gogh’s Provence, visit the incredible Roman arena at Nimes and the Pont du Gard aqueduct, take a trip to Avignon ‘City of the Popes’, discover the famous vineyards of Chateauneuf du Pape, and trek in natural parks including Luberon and the Camargue.

https://www.holidayfrancedirect.co.uk/holiday-rentals/CB005952/index.htm

Plan a Provence retreat this winter or spring to escape our rainy, grey skies and enjoy a taste of the real France. With out of season rental rates offering great value for money you could even take a longer stay to really get away from it all! Why not treat yourself?