Advice when renting a vacation home in France

Define the vacation experience that you are after
The most important step is to first define the vacation experience you are looking for. For most of us, you also need to establish a budget. Then you can narrow down on the French region, the city-town-village, and finally the vacation home that will deliver the vacation experience you are looking for. The most beautiful villa in the middle of gorgeous countryside but a long car ride away from lots of things might be good for a few days but not deliver on what France might be all about: the sense of living in a quality French community with lots happening. This is true when vacationing as a family and even more important when vacationing with a group of friends or extended family: having things to do under walking distance might be important to provide enough independence to everyone without the need to secure transportation and activities for everyone. It is your vacation, you do not want to be a host all the time.


What affects the cost:
- Timing for a rental is an important factor as prices vary greatly with the season. For instance in the French Basque country, early Spring- late Fall villa rental prices can be half of the cost of July and August. Schooled-aged children in North America tend to finish school earlier than French kids, therefore the late June early July timeframe offers some good savings. Paris hotels on the other hand are at their cheapest point in late July to late August when the European business crowd is on vacation.
- The old adage location, location, location also applies to the vacation rental market and is very much a reflection of property values in France and the region you are targeting. Renting in the proximity of the centers of St Jean de Luz or Biarritz in the Southwest of France, where beaches, markets and cultural activities are available under walking distance, commands premium prices.
- With comparable locations, pay attention to: overall exterior and interior surface area, distinguishing what matters to you: more common living space vs more bedrooms and bathrooms? State of maintenance, especially kitchen, bathrooms, and mattresses? Swimming pool (off season, when most pools are not heated in France should not lead to a premium)? Privacy from neighbours? Quality of furnishings and appliances? Availability of parking spaces for homes in center of town? Is cleaning at check out or during the stay included?


Why a good country-region vacation rental specialist matters to find and book your vacation rental:
- (S)he will consult you on the merits of one region vs the other and will match your expectations with the right French region, down to a town and the shops and facilities of the neighbourhood.
- As long as (s)he has done regular house inspections, (s)he will be able to compare various properties with objectivity vs dealing directly with an owner over the internet who is by nature biased on the merits of his/her property. The specialist can also filter out for you the owners you do not want to deal with.
- A specialist will put together a proper rental contract in English and facilitate all of the back and forth and payment with the French speaking owner in a transparent fashion for you.
- Also, a good specialist will offer concierge services ( ie a welcome and orientation in town, a stocked fridge upon arrival, etc…), and à la carte activities (guided tours of towns and markets, cooking class, wine & cheese tasting, visits of artisan workshops etc…) or logistical services ( babysitter, catering service, yoga, summer camp for kids etc…) for you to further immerse yourself and relax.
- You should receive some detailed information on the region, suggestions of outings, shops and restaurant recommendations, a calendar of cultural events scheduled during your stay

By following these tips and working with a professional with true local knowledge and who has done the demanding on-site research work, you can enjoy peace of mind and the vacation your dreamt about.